old outboard won't start
 

Since my big boat is in the shop(again) I have lately spent a lot of
time with my 8 ft inflatible dingy which has a 50 year old Mariner 2HP
engine. Today when I was cruising Boston harbor it just stopped
running when I slowed down. I could not get it to start up again. some
nice boater started to tow me in but it was way too rough so I asked
him to just tow me out of the middle of the channel while I called Sea
Tow. They were great as always and got me home after a little wait. My
questions is
what should I do to get it running again. Seems like there was gas in
the tank.
may have floded, but I tried to start it a few hours later and it
would not start. The engine has one spark plug which I did not look at
as my tools were on the big boat in the repair shop.
I sorta know that it is either gas, air or spark, but beyond that
basic knowledge, I am stuck.
Any suggestions before I brake out the oars and row for the rest of
the summer.


PS As bad as my luck has been this summer with the boats, I have still
enjoyed every minute.

thank you!

I did check the spark with the help of a friend and we did not see any
spark so I got a new plug and she started right up.

PS As bad as my luck has been this summer with the boats, I have still
enjoyed every minute.


First. Look for spark. If it has spark and a new plug and doesnt run ,
then its maybe carb/fuel pump related. .. if the motor sat for a long
time carb is gummed?

If you cant clean and adjust the carb then consider getting anew motor
rather than pumping money in that one.

Matt