How to start an outboard thats been sitting?

Well, the answer on starter fluid, it burns much hotter than the fuel and there is the fear that it will scorch the rings or valves. Prime the carb with fuel and give the throttle body a few drops and it should kick over. However, before I went that far I'd roll the engine and check for spark. No sense going to all that trouble to start it if there's no spark to set it off. Also outboards are water cooled (for the most part), make sure it's hooked up, they'll fry quickly without it.