help!

sounds like a failed starter to me.. Have some one "tap" on the starter while you turn the key to the start position..some times the brushes / armature aren't making good contact.
 
Check your voltage! Do the 12v lights dim unusually dark when you attempt to start it? Also check for a loose wire on the starter motor or ground from starter motor. If no to these its more that likely the starter as Pane @ Sea stated above. Good Luck! - Jeff
 
Clean all the connections on the batteries, at the starter and the starter solenoid. What you are describing sounds like a bad solenoid, (the cylinder on top of the starter). There is a large copper disk inside that over time will burn and pit and can fail to make proper contact when the high current starter is engaged. You hear the solenoid contacts "make" but there is too much resistance for the starter to engage. A loose/dirty connection can cause the exact symptoms. Start with the easy stuff like connections and batteries and work up to solenoids and starters, its usually something simple.
 
Your info doesn't say what boat you have or single/twin engine.
Do you have a dual battery setup where you can switch over to the other battery?

My first guess is a weak/dead battery or connection, then second would be the starter/solenoid.
 
Check the connections throughout and make sure the battery is good (not just that it has 12V). The stater puts a very heavy load on the battery. If you tap on the starter and it starts - it means the starter needs replacing. You don't want this to happen on the lake - and it will happen again.
 
One more remote possibility is a hydrolocked engine.
 
im having the same problem currently i will be checking the battery tomorrow before replacing the starter since i've cleaned all connections.
 
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