Harding Starting

hi
new bee here

I have a 16ft loweline flat bottom with a mercury 200<20 hp>
on it, This motor is really hard starting, especially if ya dont use it all the time,
CPl yrs ago, I had the carbs gone thru, tuned up, new h20 pump installed, and still hard to start up, just wont pop off right away.
Once it starts it runs like a champ, believe the motor is a 73 or 74 ? Any thoughts or ideas I can do to get this motor to start right away with out killing yourself?
About ready to throw it in the drink<mississippi> I live along the Mississippie river in Northern ILL>
thanks for any ideas/thoughts,
sorry for long post

Re: Harding Starting

Laddies told me this once upon a time and I found it helpful, so I'll pass it on to you. check your choke to be sure it's closing ALL THE WAY. IF the cable has just a little slack and it doesn't close all the way, it'll be hard to start. Try getting a friend to hold the choke closed by hand while you're pulling and see if there's a difference. I'll bet there will be. Also make sure you squeeze the primer bulb 'til it's nice and firm. BUt I'll bet you already do that.
Good luck,
JBJ