You probably have a carbureted engine. The starting procedure is to have the
gear shift in neutral, set the choke, get the engine running smoothly, then
shift into forward or reverse to go.
With the lever in neutral, you have to keep the gears from engaging as you
move the lever forward to set the choke and prime the engine. There are
different ways to do that, depending on the shift lever: evidently yours is
to pull the lever out before moving it forward. It's like stepping on the
clutch pedal in a standard transmission vehicle.
Then pushing the lever all the way forward sets the choke. Usually you only
have to move it all the way forward and then back to a detent that you will
feel, probably before you get back to the vertical, neutral position. .
Use the key to start the engine. If it's been awhile since last run, you may
have to move the lever forward to give the engine a little more gas to run.
As it begins to smooth out, bring the lever back to the detent and let it
idle for a minute.
When you are ready to go, bring the lever back to vertical and let it go
back in, so the gears will engage when you next move the lever forward or
reverse.
My control is stiff and requires a deliberate, firm push to engage the
gears, then it moves more easily forward or back to add more power.


"Melandre" wrote in message
...
I recently purchased a used boat and plan to put it in the water for
the first time tomorrow morning. The boat has an inboard 120hp OMC
Cobra 2.3L, 4 stroke.

When I bought the boat, the seller told me the proper way to get it
started. However, I am not sure I quite remember everything.

i think he said that I must first PULL the shifter inward (toward me)
and then pump the motor by moving the shifter forward once or twice.

Then I think I am supposed to bring the shifter back to the neutral
position (not sure if I do this with the shifter still inward or back
to its regular "anchored" position) and turn the key. Then slowly push
the shifter forward to engage the driveshaft forward. Does that make
any sense?

What is the purpose of "pulling" the shifter in toward me first?
Aren't we supposed to simply move the shifter forward, backward or
neutral ? Anyway, if someone could confirm that this procedure is
correct and explain why we need to do this "PULL IN" trick with the
shifter, that would be greatly appreciated!

Andre