It will do this over and over. The engine sat for over two years (out of the water) on a boat lift. I do not know about the quality of the fuel, but it starts immediately upon cranking (with the fast idle lever cracked a bit) but will not continue to run. Do I need a rebuild kit for the carb?
My assumption has been, after three unsuccessful attempts to solve the problem by rebuilding the fuel pump, that this was the culprit for gas getting into my crankcase.
I am not a newbie to engines, or outboards, and rebuilding this fuel pump certainly does not stretch my mechanical abilities...