Can hard shifting be corrected? 2003 Mercruiser 5.0 Bravo III

[wish2fish]

there has been discussion of the hard shifting on older Bravo III drives. My 2003 Mercruiser 5.0 Bravo III is hard to shift from neutral to forward or reverse. Its not hard, its just not smooth or easy. I don't have a problem controlling it but if someone else drives the boat they do. It does make it harder to dock in tight spaces. A buddy has a 2013 Chaparral with Mercruiser 350 with Bravo III and it is super easy to move in and out of neutral.

Now, is it worth the expense to try and get this corrected by the mechanic? What is the cost for something like this?

 

[keokie]

That is usually a result of a bad shift cable, and/or water leaking into the shift lever cavity in the drive. Both are relatively minor repairs.

 

[scoflaw]

Isolate where the stiffness is coming from. Disconnect your lower shift cable at the engine.