Hard shifting

[johnnugent]

I have a 2005 4 stroke 4 HP Johnson motor on my inflatable. Just before I put it away for the winter (Mass) it was hard shifting in reverse and alittle hard shifting forward. In the final days it became extremely hard to shift it. I put it away and planned on getting to that project later. Well later is getting near and I was wondering if anyone has had this problem before and could give me some advice on what I may start with or what they have had done in the past to correct this.
Thanks
John