Yesterday, I tried to manually start my '98 Mariner 50HP four-stroke. I figured it would be good practice in case my battery died while I was out on the water. <br /><br />My emergency pull cord disappeared long ago so I used a replacement cord.<br /><br />Wrapped it around the flywheel 3-4 times an yanked with all my might - with zero success. Tried it a dozen times but all I could manage was one compression stroke and the motor never fired.<br /><br />Is there some trick to this or is the whole emergency start procedure a lark? Good thing I have a VHF.<br /><br />Henry