Might want to try changing the neutral switch, my port engine was hard to find a spot so it would crank, put new micro switches in and it all went away. My controls cover the micro switch for about 5-10 degrees movement, well before it shifts into gear. So Even though there is no detent it is almost impossible not to find neutral with the new switches installed.

Not sure about you not being able to find neutral while docking, I just listen for the engine to rev up..... That sounds like something other than the neutral switch. Something going bad on the cable connections etc, i would start inspecting everything last thing you want to do is crash into a dock.... Seen that happen in Key West something was broke and he couldn't shift to Neutral or Reverse it just stayed in forward.

I just finished Tres Martins course and he said the shifters just needed to be greased so I am trying that first.

Sounds cheap!

grease helped a lot but she is still pretty sloppy in and out of gear, Going to have my mechanic take a look at it next week when the boat is in for drive spacers, a leaky steering cylinder and a couple of other little things. May add mufflers too.

Why does it need drive spacers???? It doesn't look like it has shorty drives???

If you want to take some bark off the exhaust note, I'd just get some GGB inserts.

I highly doubt you need new shifters. The MM's should last forever. I think its more about getting used to the feel of them.
I have Latham's and they are great. Nuetral has a detent stop, so you know when you're exact, but I've never had a problem being able to tell with others brands after I got used to them either.

It's very prone to blowing out on start, any positive tab makes it almost impossible to get on plane. I took the Tres Martin course last week and when Tres drove it he said it needed 1/2" to1" spacer. Have to believe he knows what he is talking about.

Okay. Shop said to try some new wheels before spacers so that's what we are doing. They recommended some 5 blade 28s instead of the 4 blade bravo 30s I have now to help with the blow out and limited trim reaction (I can go from 4 to 9 on the trime indicator with no appreciable change in bow height or rpm above 60mph)

Any recommendations on 5 blades to try?

I used to date a Girl with Sloppy Shifters. She was a lot of fun but I could never get her in gear at the right time.

What rpm are you turning the 30's ? five blade is a lot of wheel for a 500, but will bite better.

Only getting 4800 with the 30s. Can barley get the to 5000 over trimming and loosing speed.