We had a problem with starting out engine during the first year after acquired the vessel back in 2003. Ended up paying something like $700 to have the starter removed, rebuilt and reinstalled. Then encountered the problem again! Finally figured out that it was the NSS which apparently is slightly out of adjustment. Jiggling the gear lever toward Forward and trying again usually gets it the first time. One of these days I will dismantle things and find how to align that NSS. Frankly, I don't know if the NSS is in the gearshift/throttle mechanism or in the Velvet Drive.
Just for entertainment purposes, here is our gearshift/throttle:
If I were honest, I would admit that THIS was the deciding factor in buying the boat!