Tuesday I started and ran my Mercury outboard for 6 or 7 minutes.

She ran fine.

Today, Wednesday, she would not start on the water.

Temperature was 34* at the ramp.

Do you think the cold temperature hampered her starting?

How can one avoid this problem in the future?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Sticky bendix? Pull the cowl off, and peek under the flywheel to see if it's catching when you turn the key. A tiny shot of WD-40 will fix it if keeps sticking.

What year/model is it?

Thanks J, will try doing that.

Glen it is a 2003 50 HP Merc.

Tate, it just strained but would not turn over.

And would you believe that after it was trailered it started.

Thanks.

Check all your battery connections for corrosion and make sure they are tight. Do the same at the starter. Either you have a starter problem, or a faulty connection in the wiring that powers the starter. That's assuming the battery is OK.

Make sure all your accessories are turned off.

The battery might have discharged otherwise what Rhino said.

Thanks guys. I will take everyone's advice and attackt he motor and batteries today now that the rain has moved out.

Have a great weekend.