CONTINUOUSWAVE

[A 1998 Mercury 90-HP two-stroke-power-cycle outboard engine has] been out of the water for a month, [and] prior to that ran fine. A few minutes ago, I launched [the boat]. At first crank [the engine gave] a little stumble, and then nothing after that.

[Should] staring fliud [be used]?

[Should] the [spark] plugs be pulled to see if they are soaked?

Thanks. --at the dock :)

Find the owner's manual. Follow the recommended starting procedure, exactly as written.

Check that the safety lanyard is properly seated into the engine-stop switch.

Got the engine going. I forgot to squeeze the [fuel hose primer] bulb [until] it was firm. After that, started right up.