Do you prime ?
 

When you first start your Mercury outboard motor ,do you pump the primer bulb or do you just turn the key to start her up?

2014 four stroke 150 merc. Just turn key on, listen for the fuel pump to pressurize, turn key, it starts

1994 150 merc 2 stroke, squeeze ball till firm, turn key on, raise throttle advance half way, push key in 3 times, turn key, it starts, usually

My buddy has a 2004 merc O.B 150 and he never primes it doesn't even have a bulb so he says I find that hard to believe, I always prime mine but I'm having a issue she is not getting hard, or firm I will hold it horizontally next time but I don't remember ever doing that before ,.

Great question. I wish I had a good answer. 1980 Mercury 200HP. Runs great, idles good, but rarely starts without starter fluid. I squeeze the bulb until hard. I can see the fuel in the line with a new inline clear Moeller gas filter. New Moeller fuel/water separator, new Attwood bulb. Not sure if I am not providing enough fuel to the engine or flooding it. After I run it and let it sit for a couple of hours (while trolling), it starts (usually).