I like to fish year round.  Temps in the upper 30s and lower 40s really make it hard to physically pull the starting cord on this outboard.  It's hard to start at such a slow speed of pull.  Is that just the nature of the beast or can this be lubricated somehow? Thanks for any info.

I can’t imagine why a 38 year old outboard would be tough to start in cold weather...that just seems odd

usually when I run into this, it's the recoil starter.  If you have the know how, I would pull it off, take it apart, clean and lube it.

Pull cord may be stretched and soft binding in the wraps.  

New cord stay in nice spiral. 

Is the engine and boat kept outside, maybe engine in the water?

 

Even with neutral VRS direct drive, the engine half of the trans is still trying to turn over in cold, thick gear oil/grease...

 

That has to add resistance

If it's a mercury 110, sometimes the giant screw on the top of the pull starter mechanism tightens with normal operation.  Try backing it out 1/4 to 1/2 a turn and see if that loosens the tension.