My 10 year old Evinrude 30 HP engine when it is not started for a few
days seems to get very stiff and will not turn over with the electric
starter. If I give it just one pull with the rope, it will start just
fine after that with the starter. It seems like something is binding
and is freed up just enough with by pulling the rope to allow the
electric starter to have enough power to turn it over. The rope does
pull very hard also.

I have recently replaced the battery so I don't think that is the
problem.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem might be?