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went to start it today , and the battery was dead. Will charge, try tomorrow, and report back.

OKAY!

So it started up almost right away, did die a few times, but it is starting happy times.
See this video:

Comments thoughts, or suggestions otherwise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD3QqM0H2QA

and this video shows the "hic up" that is does.

again any comments, suggestions or ideas otherwise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAOf7SVd8tE&t=39s

Hard to tell from the vids but it looked a bit smoky which could mean you are running a bit rich on one or more of the carbs.

This is a bit "out in left field" so to speak; I do admire you guys that keep older engines running. I have a 2 h.p. Honda for my dinghy that is a 4-stroke, but about 10-11 years old. It is nice to get the use out of these old engines. I am not very mechanically skilled so I rely on marine techs for the heavy lifting and keeping my 50 h.p. engines running. My 1998 X, which I bought in 2003, had a 50 h.p. Merc 4-stroke carbureted engine. I began having trouble with it about 5 years ago and went through a bit of money with a marine repair shop with a good rep before I just got concerned about reliability in key situations. I boat in areas with bridges and current in narrow channels (rivers and ICW). I have been in situations upstream of bridges with current and/or strong wind operating such that an engine failure would have been catastrophic and potentially dangerous. Before I replaced the carbureted Merc, I tried very hard to stay on top of the gummed up carburetor problem by running the engines regularly, using non-ethanol gas with stabilizer, and having them serviced on time. Still, I ran into failures to run and the need for tows back to the dock. In 2013 I replaced my Merc with a 50 h.p. 4-stroke fuel injected Yamaha, and I have never looked back. I love its dependability and not having to deal with carburetors. I still make a point to run it frequently, use non-ethanol gas with stabilizer and injector cleaner, keep tanks topped off, and have it serviced on time. I say this just to get it out there that there is "life after divorce" when we finally say "enough is enough" with the starting and running problems.

The boat is rated for 50HP but if you intend to sail only I would trade out for a four stroke fuel injected 20HP or smaller. The 2 stroke motors are always crank especially when not used often. I recommend Suzuki.

kadet wrote:Hard to tell from the vids but it looked a bit smoky which could mean you are running a bit rich on one or more of the carbs.

Would that be the screw on the side that needs to be adjusted?

The smoke is likely 2 fold, firstly, it is running on higher concentration of seafoam, secondly the prop exhaust is just barely under water (man alive is it more quite with that under water though ...) there is a second exhaust about 1/2 way down the leg I think , and it is full out of the water, so I think that makes it louder, and smokey.

Have a lookie see at these drawings, I believe the screw your referring to may be #15 NEEDLE VALVE, Slow speed

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/E ... parts.html

Would that be the screw on the side that needs to be adjusted?

Probably what sailboatmike has indicated but I don't have a shop manual or detailed photos of your motor