I had one of these motors and believe it's the best outboard I ever had.
I never had any starting problems, but flooded it once. I think that's
what you're doing.

I would pump the bulb til it's firm, choke it, give it about one fourth
throttle and turn the key till it starts, and it always started right
away. I think the pumping is causing it to get too much raw gas right
away instead of running in a richer mixture via the choke.

Capt. Jeff