I have a 96 Johnson 200, it had sat over six months while I was overseas, I drained the carbs and put stabil before I left. I got it out and running. It runs great after it has warmed up for a few minutes, no problem starting then all da long. My problem is when I first try to start the first time or if it sits over night. I cannot get it to run without spraying starting fluid in the carbs several times, then after about ten minutes of trying it will run, then no more problems the rest of the day. Could maybe my choke not be working or possibly a more serious problem. I had the carbs done about 18 months ago. thanks

first off DO NOT USE STARTING FLUID it has no lubricity for the innards of your engine.
if you let it sit "dry" ie. no gas/oil mix in it the fuel pumps may be dried out, there could be some varnish in the carbs, or you may have an air leak in on of your lines.
If it were me I would get a can or even 2 of sea foam and mix with about 5 gals of fuel mix then go run the peediddle out of it for about 15 mins. let it sit for an hr. or 2 and go run most of the gas out of it and let it sit for a day or 2 to let the seafoam work.
fill it back up (add another can of seafoam) and go try it again.
if that did not help start looking at the fuel lines/pump, and check the filter for loose debri.

" starting fluid" very bad, i have a 96 also. need to pump the bulb till hard try that my bulb went bad did very same thing your saying, also as hopalong said run some sea foam to clean the carbs, that's the best starting point, should solve the problem. if not need to check the fuel pump. but if need to start with somethinf put some premix in a bottle to put in the carbs.

You can check the choke by turning the red arm cross ways for a 5 count, then if it starts you know the enrichment valve is not activating. Problem normally in the ignition switch.

Thanks everyone for the info, I will defintly try when I get back to the states. I have never heard of sea foam before.

any O'Reillys Auto Parts will have Sea Foam..

oreillys, autozone, wally world, checker auto all should have it.great stuff for any engine, I use it in the truck gas and oil.

sounds like your choke is not working