I have a 2005 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke. Have a fuel filter/separator, keep the tank and filter in a chest, there is no water in the fuel. I only put it in the water 5 weeks ago, it's been running fine, as recently as yesterday. Today it won't start. I've only been using it in the mooring field, in retrospect I should have given it more chance to warm up and go full speed. But still, this is disappointing. I really don't feel like lugging the damn thing to the shop, and I don't have a whole lot of free time to take it apart myself. Any safe ways to get it going (I suspect starting fluid is not recommended, but maybe it's OK for occasional use?), or another way to get it going at which point perhaps a carb cleaner and other treatments can correct whatever is ailing it.

TIA any suggestions.

Ms