Was fishing a tournament in really rough water with 2017 250 Sho yesterday. Set down in a cove about 10:00 AM. When I went to move, just heard grinding noise under cowling. Pulled cowl and shroud and could see starter bendix come out and spin on fly wheel but it would just push away from fly wheel and spin like partially stripped. Starter seems tight and no play in bolts. Today I pulled lower unit in case it was somehow locked up and still no dice. I was able to turn flywheel a bit by hand but it’s definitely tight. On dipstick oil looks good. Did my engine hand grenade or is starter just bad?

A friend had something similar happen to his SHO. Mount bracket for starter was cracked.

Contact Kevin Zimmer at HCH Pro Marine (325) 218-3010) near LBJ. He can help you out.

Will do, thanks!

The plot thickens. Went out with flashlight and my reading glasses and damned if the starter bracket isn’t cracked and left bolt missing. Can’t find bolt down in cowl but it’s got to be there. Now could have this been the weak link and just broke there cause motor was locked up? I put a wrench on bolts on top of flywheel and I can turn it. It’s hard as hell but will turn. Is that normal? Or could motor have drawn water and there be vapor lock going on.

Bolt either backed out due to vibration over the years or broke from fatigue. If you’re mechanically inclined it’s not a difficult repair. Worst case is if threaded hole is damaged then it will need a helicoil

Thanks for y’all’s help gents! Ordered the parts for repair. This forum saved me a lot of cash.

Put parts on last night and it cranks with kill switch removed. Going to hook up to muffs tonight and make sure all is good.

This happened to me and I thought worst case scenario, but after closer inspection I found the bolt and was able to Mcgyver it back in on the water.