Gear shift disconnect button

[jimvic36]

I have a 2005 40HP mercury outboard. The Boston Whaler manual says that the button on the gear shift lever, when depressed, allows the lever to act as a throttle only and disengages the forward or reverse gears. Is this feature available on my outboard? There does not appear to be any movement of the button when depressed. Am I missing something?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Gear shift disconnect button

Typically on forward controls, you can push the release button in and it dis-engages the gear lever for throttle only like your manual says. Hold the release in and work the throttle. You should be able to tell by feel if the shift cable is dis-engaged.