Fuel Filter ?

The 1981 Johnson 115HP I just put on my pontoon boat quit running last Sundayhttp://www.crappie.com/crappie/images/icons/icon8.png.
last evening I made it out to Clinton to check it out and found it has good spark, but only will fire with starting fluid. Of course I did not keep it running with the either because I know how bad that is for 2 strokes.
So I started looking for the gas filter, IT HAS NONE, talking to Keith at Arnnie's Boat works found out it only has a screen on the fuel pump and it is probably plugged up. What was Johnson thinking about?http://www.crappie.com/crappie/images/icons/icon8.png
I'm looking at the possibility of adding an in line fuel filter with a sediment bowl, to check for water, in the fuel line near the gas tanks. Tractor Supply has one with Water Block absorbing filter that has a drain cock on the bottom.
Does any one else have a better idea to filter the gas and check for water in the system?
Thanks, Dan

That is no fun! Hopefully you can get it cleaned out and get it running again. As for a filter and water separator, I like these.
Bass Pro Shops® Fuel Filter/Water Separator Kit | Bass Pro Shops

They are much easier to maintain/change than the inline filters plus they are much better filters in my opinion.

I ended up buying this separator/filter at Tractor supply. Had to get fittings to go from 1" pipe threads to 5/16 barb for my gas line. Probably over sized but I have the room to mount it by my tanks and can see if any water is in my gas, plus a drain cock to drain any water out.
Dutton-Lainson® Goldenrod® 496 Water-Block Absorbing Fuel Filter - Tractor Supply Co.

Update on my motor problems.
I got out to the lake early enough to install the new filter separator before Keith got there. I connected the gas line from the squeeze bulb to the inlet but left the outlet to the motor off. As I started to squeeze the bulb I observed the separator bowl filling up with clear liquid which I drained into a clear plastic bottle. I repeated this until I saw the pink fuel-oil mixture entering the bowl. The clear liquid is water, so I pumped the rest of the water out of the tank lowest locations. Totally I recovered 1/2 gallon of water from the tank, then purged the water out of the gas line going to the motor. I added a bottle of ISO-HEET to the contaminated tank.
Keith arrived and drained the water out of the float bowls on the carbs. The motor stated up after cranking for about 6 seconds. After Keith finish putting everything back together on the motor I test drove it on the lake, making tight left and right turns to swish the gas around in the tank and get any more water to the pick up tube.
I drained another 1/4 cup of water from the separator bowl, feeling satisfied that all the water has been removed.
The only 2 possible ways for the water in the tank is the 10 gallons of HY-VEE premium gas that I bought Labor day was contaminated or someone added the water to that tank. I'm thinking the HY-VEE gas was contaminated so I'll be watching the separator bowl every trip on the lake.