05 xlv wont start

im pretty frustrated, the last two summers have been the same but with a different boat. just got this 05 xlv. my first trip out the gas gauge fell out, but the boat ran good. my second trip, yesterday,the boat ran for a few hours then wouldn't start it just cranks but wont fire, it ran fine up until that point, we had to be towed back to the dock. I read the manual, tried the throttle forward , back, key on ect thing. ive been on the internet for hours now trying to figure out what to try to get it running. im not much of a mechanic. I did find the fuel filter and gas runs freely through it. is there anything else you guys can think if for a mechanically challenge guy to do before I try to find someone to work on it. usually the few shops we have around here are two plus months out so the season will be over before I can get it in so any advice would be appreciated. I don't smell gas even when the throttle is all the way forward, it just cranks but wont fire. I was going to put starter fluid into the air cleaner but was afraid it might blow something up. thanks