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.

rmalcolm DeleteThis @bostonconservatory.edu (Richard Malcolm) wrote in message ...
 > 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.


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