First time to splash and it wont go into gear

[scrit9mm]

99 Chris Craft 200 bowrider 5.0GiPWTR SN 4110190894 with a SX outdrive. The throttle lever will rev the engine when I push in the button but it will not engage the gear to make the boat go forward or reverse. I pull up on the red button on the underneath side of the throttle but it will not move back or forward. I think the button is not working or the cable is not engaging the gears. There are two screws on the right of the throttle and one on the left, then one on the neutral button that I removed but I still cannot get the throttle handle off the panel that is attached to the boat. So I try to remove the panel and it comes loose from the boat but there is a plate on the back of the throttle handle that does not allow the removal of the panel to access the linkage on the back of the throttle.

FYI, this happened last year and within 20 min it free'd itself and worked all summer long.

So, how do I remove this panel on the boat to access the back of the throttle. Or does anyone have any ideas on what the problem is and a fix?

Thanks in advance- Scott

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: First time to splash and it wont go into gear

Ok, so perhaps I have created a post no-one wants to jump on.

So, I get home from dinner and with a little force am able to put the drive into gear, forward and reverse.

Why would it hang up? Is there something that needs to be lubricated as routine maintence?

I am baffled, looking for any guidance.