This may be a bit of a long story. I will try to let you know what the issue is. The starter will click sometimes and then sometimes turn over the motor.
1. I got a new storage area that had power. I plugged my boat in and left it a week or two. I have a bass Pro 3 bank charger. I went to the lake and the boat would not start. I had a battery tester that showed the battery was good. Over 12.6 volts.
2. I took the boat to Auto Zone and I over charged the starting batter. - Not sure if onboard charger malfunctioned. My battery was less than a year old. So how do I test a onboard battery charger?
3. I purchased a new a battery at Academy. 1000 amp starting battery.
4. Tested again. The starter would click. About every 10 times the motor would turn over and start.
5. I purchased a new starter for the boat. I installed the new starter. I tested in my drive way and first time to turn the key the motor turned over.
6. I went to the lake, lowered the motor into the water. The started just clicked. After about ten times the starter worked and the motor started.
7. I dove the boat around not turning off the motor for 30 minutes. I went back to the dock and turned the boat off. The starter worked 20 times in a row to start the boat. But 21 time the starter just click.

Do I have a bad wire? Motor that doesn't want to turn over? The boat starter seems to work best in my driveway with the motor tilted up. I have a lot of wires on the starting battery. Can I isolate just the starter and the key to turn over the motor?

Thank you,
John

most outboards have a solenoid in line with the starter...could be sticking and not activating the starter...you should be able to follow the leads from your starter to find the solenoid...see the diagram below...may not be exact for your motor...hope that helps.

wiring diagram for yamaha outboard starter

Thank you I will check it out.

Yes if you hear a clicking the problem is the starter or the solenoid. I have had starters that if they stop in a certain place they would not turn over until you turned the key several times. Found it by connecting a 12v light to the starter cable post. It was getting 12v when it clicked.

I have a brand new battery and just installed new starter. I called Plano marine. They do not have the relay in stock need to order but the person said it has 2 relays. Each around $120 each. My motor is a 2005 V150 TLRD Yamaha. I have been watching videos of how to test the relay. I also asked if Plano Marine can look at it. They have a 4 week wait. I will keep working on it. Thank you for the advice. I will keep you posted. I've looked at ebay for the relay. But a little unsure of which one it is.

I am no expert but I have never seen one with two relays..wiring wise it only needs one..as in the diagram...if you have the part number you might google it ...and also check amazon as a source...or check with a local starter/alternator shop for that part...I found a starter for my evinrude outboard at local starter shop..better pricing and a quality replacement..maybe they have the solenoids or relays as well.

I called Kaufman Marine and Plano Boats and they have to order the relay. About $110 for the relay.

I'm thinking about a wire that could be worn. It seem so strange that it works - turns the starter over in my drive way but put the boat in the water and it will not start right away.

Update in this crazy story. I got the boat tonight. Parked in drive way. Turned key motor turned over perfect. I tilted the motor to be down like in the water turned over. It would have started 15 times. Then the 16 time just click. Not turn over. I got a new multi-meter. 12.6 volts on the new starting battery. I started the 3 bank onboard charger. All batteries show 14.5 volts on the charger. I was reading it should be 14.4 volts on the charger. The volts will decrease as the batteries charge. With the charger on i turned the key 25 times and the boat turned over correctly. Then 26th time just click. We will see how it goes later in the morning. I want to go to the lake. Last time would not start at the ramp. crazy

The click you hear should be the solenoid closing on the terminal post . The washer spins as it is in gaged so as to not hit the exact same place and burn the washer. that is why you can start a while then all of a sudden won't . burnt spot on washer hits bad spot and no start . replace relay .

Dreamin team thank you.

Just an update. On the 3 bank charger this morning. All 3 batteries had a voltage of 12.85. Turned off the battery charge and the boat turned over perfectly 5 times.
I'm going to order a relay today.
Thank you,
John

I live close to Phil Dill boats. To order the part they wanted $120 but not in stock. So I searched at boats.net and the part was $87 then onto Amazon. guess what. $14. I should have ordered two.