starter not engaging

[scottberry]

I replaced my starter in a 5.7 mercruiser this year. I had the mechanic put in a high tourque starter this time. It has been performing fine for the past few weeks. Yesterday it started and stopped several times while we where kneeboarding. When then took a nice long boat ride thens stopped for a swim. When I went to restart, the starter is not engaging. I can hear it 'zinging' but it it not turning the engine over.

It sounds like the gear is not enganging the flywheel.

What causes this to happen? Faulty starter? or Something else.

I am taking back to the mechanic today and just need some thoughts before I hear what he says.