"Wyndam, Keith may be right, h
"Wyndam, Keith may be right, however, it may be something else. The Alpha drives (and others) have an ignition cut out switch which kills the ignition for a 1/2 sec when you are shifting. Does the ignition die when you are out of the water running on the hose? If not,it is likely the switch. If you look on the motor (port side, front) you will see where the upper (or fromt)shift cable enters a fitting that connects it to the lower shift cable. Look for the microswitch and see if the spring loaded yoke sticks up or down for a second, when you are shifting."