Re: 1985 procraft 1680 v 115 hp starting issues please help
I'd say yes, cold engines need alot more gas and less air to start, once warmed your motor runs fine on the leaner ratio without the choke. That's pretty normal for carb'd engines... Which is why it fires up fine when you shoot some gas into the front of the carbs, your doing basically the same thing as the choke would if it were working properly.
I presume that you can continue running it like it is, but would suggest covering the carb intakes, rather than squirting in gas if you have a mate that can help you, if solo your stuck with squirting it in there, or you could fix it or get it fixed.
DON'T take my word for it though, I am NOT an outboard expert at all, just have lots of car experience and the basic principles are the same, what I do not know is if there's anything specific about that engine that could damage it by starting it this way but I'm sure someone else on here can answer that..
BTW where ya fish? Buggs Islander(NC, Kerr Lake) here...(well the parts no one fishes at least heheheh)