95' Maxum 2700 starter help wanted

[CnC]

Hey Folks,
I'm new here and hope someone can help. I'm in the process of buying a friends 1995 Maxum 2700 with a 454 Mercruiser. We took the girls out on the water on Thursday and it wouldn't start after we spent the afternoon on an island dock for a bbq. I'm not super familiar with marine engines but do have some experience with automotive engines. Thinking the battery was the issue we used a booster pack and it appears to me that the solenoid is trying to engage its gear against the drive-plate (or ring gear?) but it just spins. Puts me in mind of the old car starters that have worn teeth on either the bendix gear on the starter or the ring gear. Tried to turn the engine via pulleys and belts by hand hoping to possibly move it a tooth or two in case it was worn on the drive plate but it wouldn't budge. I suspect there is crazy compression and thats the reason I couldn't turn it? Anyone else ever have this issue and also, how difficult is it to change out the starter if in fact that is what the issue is? Does the engine need to be lifted? Can it be done by simply dropping the starter? Very difficult to see and not much room. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks in advance

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard!

Besides the starter solenoid there is a slave solenoid on top of the engine near the breaker, red button. This is know to go bad and reduce the power to the starter making it not start. If you conclude it is the starter it will be easier to remove the exhaust manifold on that side for better access. Under Documents of this site you will find the Mercruiser manual for your engine.

[CnC]

Thanks Mike