125 hp Saltwater Mercury outboard will turn over, but won't start?

Question

When I turn the key, it turns over and acts like it wants to start, but will not. Any solutions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

squirt some gas in the carbs and see if that's it.

Answer 2

Checked to make sure there spark?

Make sure the fuel pump is priming, usually under the rear passenger seats.

Take the air filter off and see what happens.

Check the distributor cap

Answer 3

As with most gas engines, if it will not start it is most likely fuel or spark.

Are you getting fuel to the carbs? make sure the filters are not blocked.  

Make sure you are getting spark.  Depending on the year of the outboard, so can not help beyond that.   Get a service manual and follow the trouble shooting.   Good Luck.