I have a 5.8L mercruiser V8 I/O engine in a 1996 maxum 2300SC (that is to say it is a 23 footer)... I have been riding my boat fine, however after not riding the boat for about 2 weeks I decided to goto the marina just to keep the batteries nice and charged.. When I got there, I tried to start the boat, but I could not not turn it over, When I turned the key, it just clicked once, as if the starter had too big a load to crank over... When I tried again, I heard a loud slam, and then the engine froze again, as if it locked... I was getting nervous, so I figured what the hell, let me try again... When I did, it happened again, a loud slam, then it locked again... It seemed obvious at this point, that whatever I was doing, was causing damage to the engine. So I stopped.... At this cross road, it seems I have a couple of options...<br /><br />-Pull the boat out of the water, and worry about it next summer, (I live in New York City)<br />-Call a mechanic, and be at his mercy...<br />-BEG YOU GUYS TO HELP ME OUT !!! and see if there is anything I can do...<br /><br />You all really helped me through changing the starter, oil, plugs, cap and rotor.. Please help me through this...<br /><br />Am I screwed... Has my engine been blown... How can I relieve the load off the starter.<br /><br />Thanks Everyone... 
