It might be that the gas lines leak back into the tank while it sits.
Water in the gas will sometimes cause a little corrosion or gel to form in
the fuel pump valves and it will leak back. Plus boats sit longer between
uses and the fuel tank is often lower that the tank on a car is in relation
to the engine. My 5.7 does this. I just crank for a minute or so before I
even bother to give it gas knowing the fuel pump needs to work a little
first. How often do you use it?

"Bchbound" wrote in message
...
I have a little trouble starting my 1993 Merc 4.3 motor. It usually
cranks a bit (sometimes longer than others) then starts but dies out at
idle. I perform this ritual a few times and then it idles ok. Once it
warms up it runs great. It seems that the more often I run the boat the
better chance of starting it without problems. I dont expect this boat to
start like a boat with fuel injection but there must be some solution to
this. Is the motor just getting old as far as rings, compression etc?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Bchbound