We also have two outboards. One's a Sears 3.6 hp, circa 1964- called a direct drive, since it doesn't have a gearbox- only forward gear. This one needs some work, but seems to have good compression.
The other's a more recent model, an 8 hp Nissan 2-stroke. Said to be running recently, it didn't run when we bought the boat. I spent some time troubleshooting- got some fresh fuel, replaced the fouled plugs, checked for spark, and cranked and cranked. It would start w/ some starter fluid, but not otherwise. Tried to drain the carb float bowl but nothing came out- aha! Fuel problem. Back to the lab!
And here is the rest
So begins my education with carburetors. After a long day of toxic chemicals (yes I wear gloves and a mask, mom), I figured out the the float in the float bowl wasn't doing it's job, but instead was 'floating' regardless of the presence or absence of fuel to float on. Bent a small metal tab to change the float alignment, and long story short we have fuel in the float bowl where it belongs. Here we go, in the lab, ready to test.
She runs! Tomorrow we sail.