I use a 4 hp Mercury 2 stroke...my bro-in-law had it stored away for over three years with no winterizing and after we poured in some gas, Big Cliff gave it a pull and it started right away...???
However that fall we had Buckeye Marine look it over real good and they replaced some minor parts and winterized it for a total of $98 ($65 just to take the cover off...LOL)
Have had it winterized every fall since...