ok guys, I always make sure the ball is primed, try to start it without the choke and it doesn't always take off for a while until I really get on the gas. This could take up to ten seconds. If I pull the choke, sometimes it will fire off right away, but I have to open the throttle right up. It starts hard all the time. Even after just running, it starts hard. Any suggestions guys? It does have the 42mm mikuni carb on it and a swamp hogg exhaust on it as well.

As deadbird would say, you need an e fuel pump.

and that will solve all of these issues?
What kind of fuel pumps are you guys using and where did you guys get them all. What do I all need with it?

You should not need an electric fuel pump. Deadbird does not run one. It may help rid you of your symptoms, but it will not fix the problem. The stock pump in almost all cases is more than sufficient to get enough gas to the motor, even with the tank up front.

Get rid of the primer bulb. Thouroughly check your fuel line for air leaks. Clean your carb. Check for water. Etc, etc. There is a bunch of things that could cause your issues. Go check some stuff out and try to fix your problem. What size fuel line are you using? What all do you have in line? Filters, separators, bulbs, etc?

I have a filter, and bulb in the line and the tank is not in the front of the boat. Why would I want to take the bulb out of the line if I do not have a fuel filter?

You do not need the primer bulb. They are notorious for causing air leaks in the fuel line. Kinda like the problem you are having now. A straight line through a small filter and into the carb is all you need. Just try not to run your tank completely empty and you should never have a problem.

Do a search for something along the lines of "air fuel" "stock fuel pump" and so on. You will see issues others have gone through and what it took to fix them. A bunch just said screw it and added an e-pump, but those who took the time to investigate determined there was no need to add something else, that could eventually fail, into the equation.

I was joking CB-

BUT, I can tell you I had the same problem last year that you are having today, and I went through everything and I could not solve the issue. I replaced the fuel lines, took out my quick connects, took out the bulb, checked the carb you name it, bottom line was the fuel pump on the motor was just not pulling enough fuel- No matter what I tried. After I added the E Fuel pump I haven't had a problem since and the motor runs, idles and starts better than ever. For 30 bucks at Napa Auto it was money well spent IMO. I am by no means an expert on these motors, but from my experience the E fuel pump solved my problems(whether or not I am masking another problem that is another issue but I couldn't find it).

basically it is a pick my poison, because nobody near my can dial it in on their own either. I think I might try the e-pump unless someone here can come up with something that would help me change my mind.

I just suggested a whole laundry list of things to look in to

You don't have quick connects on your tank do you?

Not sure if you are asking me or not, but no, not on the tank. I ran the fuel line into a push E fuel pump(on the bow about 6 inches from the tank), into a bulb (back up in case the e fuel pump goes out), into a water filter, into a quick connect, into the motor. I tried the motor with out the bulb and quick connects and there was no difference once I put the e pump on, so I kept them on.

yes I do have quick disconnects on the gas tank. They are pretty solid, but maybe air is leaking in there. the fuel filter is always full of gas which is right before the carb, so I just have a hard time believing that that is the issue.

Have you checked or cleaned your carb? My filter would run dry!