2002 SN GT40 Starter Problem

I hope everyone's summer has been going good.  First a little background on the boat. Purchased her this spring.  Previous owner replaced the starter in it while doing other repairs to engine not sure what/if there was an issue with old one.  I've put about 15 hrs on the boat and the only issue I've had is the safety lanyard was giving me intermittent issues (start and immediately stall, restart stall etc....) but since I've bypassed it I've had no issues since.  At the end of a weeks worth of everyday use boat,  turned off boat to switch skiers and go to start boat and starter free spins but doesn't sound like its engaging ring gear.  Pulled starter to inspect and bench(dock) test.  Starter and ring gear looked ok at a quick inspection and when activated with jump pack gear pops out and spins.  Ok so reinstall, same thing.  Tried a few times and then it cranks and starts.  Figured we would ski while it was running without shutting it off and put on trailer when done.  Looks like the starter installed is a 3268N not sure of origin.  Now I have it back home in the shop and I plan on pulling the starter again and may partially disassemble it.  I'm thinking the nose cone needs to be greased?  I have already purchased a cheap charlie Amazonian starter for $50 SFD0001, which I think "might" fit, for a back up but would like to figure out what's wrong with the installed one.  Naturally I'm going to rotate the engine over with the starter out to inspect the ring gear.  Any other suggestions out there?  Almost forgot, my 2 yr old son "may" have, meaning he did, hit the start button while the engine was running right before this happened.  Any chance this could have damaged it?

Thanks in advance,

Burton

I already visited the link above and used your breakdown of the starters to help in my decision to order a cheapo temporary spare unit.  Good info on the nose cone removal/rebuild.  I intend on removing the starter tonight to disassemble and inspect.  I will check out the solenoid, arm and check the lube.  Seems likely that Junior's actions may have created this.  Lucky for me he is all about fixing things with daddy.  Come to think of it, maybe he did this on purpose!!!

When you buy the distributor cap for a GT-40 the only difference between the “marine” and the auto one is RTV in the vent hole. Sure seems like the same thing to me.

Sounds like an old Brylcreem commercial................"A little dab'll do ya"  

Hey Ken,  

Jr. and I were able to pull the starter out over the weekend.  I inspected the ring gear and saw some signs of wear but nothing I would consider to be excessive.  My budget minded/overseas starter didn't arrive until last night so I wasn't able to install it yet, plus I still need to "marinize" it.  I was able to tear down the old starter and did find quite a bit of rusty dusty and lack of lubrication.  I'm suspecting it just needs a good cleanup/lube/reassemble.  

My father built 2 of these work benches out of hardwood sourced from our property and milled by my uncle and cousin.  Very solid well built benches but not fun to move around.  He has one at his workshop down in FL and I was fortunate to get the other.