Starter or cellenoid?

[Neilbase]

I have a 1990 310 Sundancer. The Starboard engine has trouble starting at times. When the key is turned sometimes it starts up right away, sometimes it doesn't even click and then the next time it starts and then a couple of times, it didn't start and we limped back to the dock. The next morning it started right up. Could this be the starter or the cellenoid? Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[rabyers1]

Could be the starter or the starter solenoid or the slave solenoid or the ignition switch or the negative battery cable connection at the engine block. Or could be a few other things. Based on your symptoms, I would check out your slave solenoid first.

 

[JVM225]

I had the same problem with one of my motors last year and it turned out to be the solenoid. They're cheap and easy to replace, so I did them on both motors.
You can also try spraying some WD40 on it, if that solves the problem it can just be a bad connection. Try the WD 40 on the starter connections too. They are tougher to get at under the manifolds, but not impossible.