Re: Very embarrassing question
If it ran great before, it has potential for running great again. First and foremost, get a compression tester and check the compression. If the motor has good compression, it is worth bringing it back to life.
Bringing the motor back to life should be somewhat simple. The fuel system is going to be an important part of it. If the boat has an internal tank, the fuel is no good and will have to be drained. After that, make sure the fuel tank is clean of trash or any impurities. It's likely that the fuel lines may need to be replaced. The carbs might need to be cleaned if fuel sat in them for any amount of time.
Hopefully the wires haven't been chewed on by any varmints. If everything looks to be in tact, after the fuel system has been cleaned/replaced, give it a shot.
If you aren't confident in your abilities as a mechanic, have someone work on the motor who can do so confidently. If the motor was in good condition before it began hybernating, it shouldn't take much to wake it up. A small investment, i.e. a little time and money, will pay off.
