235 johnson restart problems

[kheid]

well my 1985 johnson 235 has developed its 1st problem!?!?! boat starts perfect with a little choke on the key (pushing in key to start a couple times and fast idle lever up) in the morning and runs flawless wherever i go for however long i run it rpms are perfect no problems.... now after sitting for an hour or more fishing swimming etc it wont restart. Motor seems to be flooding. i can take the fuel line off and start it till it clears the gas then it will fire up. The battery is almost dying though till it will start. If i take the motor cowling off and spray starter fluid in the airbox it will start right up and run flawless again. Getting sick of taking the top off the motor everytime and doing this. I bought this motor off an older gentleman who always had the motor serviced, has all record receipts, new water pump, compression perfect. Thinking of getting a new motor but would hate to get rid of this motor for what seems to be a small problem. Like i said the motor runs flawless and starts right up in the morning but after sitting cant get it to start. Have tried both choking it idle lever up (which seems to flood it and have tried doing nothing but turning the key with no choke and it wont start either way HELP !!!!!!!