couple ? new boater

[stormy123]

new to boating finally figured out ive got a 3.0 with a omc 800 185 horse stringer outdrive my ? is when i put the muffs on it and started her up she run great went to slide it in gear she clicked a few times n jerked into gear pretty hard forward n reverse seems to me it like it shoulda been smoother than that a guy that works on boats told me thats normal not to ease into gear you gotta be firm with er it sounded like throwing a car into park while it was still rolling is this normal? im looking forward to getting my new boat out on the river with the weather warming up finally any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Jerryjerry05]

Yup direct into gear.You go slow,it can damage the clutch dog. Get a manual and a parts diagram. Get familar with the motor and pieces??

 

[Master mechanic]

What year ?

Now the bad news a 3.0l should have a 400 drive.