Bravo III lost power

[tallyho]

I have a 1999 2800SCR with 7.4L MPI and B3 drive both with less than 60hrs. I took the boat out this weekend (12/11) for the first time since May 2005. I was going along at about 6kts and heard a wierd sound for a second and the boat stopped moving. After a quick inspection I discovered that the drive is no longer in gear. The shifter moves smoothly and the shifter plate on the engine moves which should indicate that the cable from the shifter to the plate is fine. Could this be the cable from the plate to the drive? Also now there is a whining sound while the engine is running. Any thoughts as what this could be? Thanks

[seapuppy]

could be the coupler.......need to have a qualified mechanic take a look at this.......