15hp 4 stroke starting in gear

[Daddy-O]

I have a 2006 15hp 4 stroke that occasionally starts in gear. The shift lever doesn't shift as crisply as it once did so it's hard to determine if you're in neutral-forward or reverse. Is there an easy fix that I can do myself or should I get a dealer involved? I also laid it down on the wrong side and all of the oil leaked out. What should I do? Will there be permanent damage?

[larrysuzuki]

Shifs Hard

You need to check your shift shaft that the handle goes to. There is also a lock out rod so that it will not start in gear. Sounds like it is frozen from salt.