anybody change a starter in the boat?
 

So I got the outlaw out to blow the cobwebs out of her and all was going well until I hit the key on the starboard motor and just heard a whine. Looks like the starter took a deal on me...So I pulled the rear seat out and tried to get to it, but being short and having short arms, I couldn't really get to it. Anybody ever done this and if so, what did you do to make it easier.
Any help would be great, I really don't wanna pull the motor back out again.

Before you go to far, take a heavy hammer or wrench or whatever and give the starter a solid hit, sounds like your bendix might not be engaging?

Thanks Fog, I hit it pretty good with what I had on me at the time, but still nothing. Messed with it until I had to head to work. I'll give it a bigger hit with a hammer tomorrow afternoon and see what happens.

Using a hammer usually only a short term fix

Pull the exhaust elbow and manifold off. May free up enough room to get back there.

I like the 29's, but this type of situation would drive me absolutely insane with how tight they are in the engine room.

Thanks for the advice C, yes I love my 29, but doing anything in the engine bay is a damn task for sure. Gotta pull the damn seat out for everything you do. My first boat (87 scarab panther) I could get in and had room to work on everything. I will take a good look at it tomorrow, hopefully me or someone I know with longer arms can get in there.

It's a PITA but can be done. With a lot of ingenuity, many extensions and some duct tape to hold fasteners in the socket. I fabbed a box to hold the starter at the height of the fllange and slid it under the motor. Then fumbled around with the tapped to the socket fasteners to get them threaded. Not fun but you do what you have to do to get things fixed. Good luck!

The smaller single engine Outlaws are a NITEMARE to work on as well, I feel your pain! The 29ft Outlaws with a single engine have a TON of room to work, I am 6ft1, 220lbs and the one I wrenched on had enough for me, a roller cabinet full of tools and enough room left over for a game of handball, lol!

Pull the exhaust manifold off. It is a little bit more work, but it makes the job much faster. I have changed one on the water before & that seems to be the best way.
The real issue is dropping tools in the bilge. I'm 6'4" & can't reach the bottom of the bilge.

When I had to do one in the boat (Formula, but same tight set up) I used a piece of angle aluminum about as long as the engine. Use a large hose clamp to hold the starter to the end (point screw up so you can loosen with a long screwdriver from above). Now have someone hold the starter up in place from the front of the engine while you lie across the top and start the bolts (one handed job)and then tighten them. Release the hose clamp and pull the angle out when you're done. 1 inch angle works well. If you have a water pump/fuel pump combo at the front of the engine remove it too for access.