I had a 2000 johnson 50 that was the exact same way until i learned to follow this sequence. After the boats in the water lower the motor all the way down then walk back and pump the fuel bulb until its hard, push the key inward and toward start at the same time. When it fires up lift the warm up lever until its ready to go. If I didnt follow that exactly it took forever. Good luck!

I had two Johnson outboards and both were the same way . I
Didn't ever have to worry about anyone stealing my boats because I was the only one could start them .

How ever you start your motor , you have to do the same thing every time you go to start it . Whether you pump the bulb and choke it or whatever . Mine was pump the bulb , choke it and once it turns over let it sit for 10 seconds or so then start it right up . If I didn't start it in that way it would flood out or whatever and would take a lil while to start .

It always helps to run your boat on a regular basis . Once every month or two isn't very good on any outboard .