00 Sport Start and Tranny questions

First questions for the Sport

2000 Sport, >100 hrs, GT40, Faria replacement gauges, electronic keypad

1. When starting the boat, or attempting to, we hit the start button and it seems like the starter tries to jump up, but then doesn't. Not really a click like in a car but more so like the start button isn't even doing anything. After a few pushes it'll start like nothing. Does not do this every time.

2. In idle only; we hear a slight tick tick tick in the back of the motor/tranny area. I've read enough to question whether this might be the damper plate? No idea what that is/does/what kind of job that entails. It doesn't seem serious right now, just wondering for future issues/what we may need to be thinking about soon.

Thoughts?

I had this same problem with start. I have 2000 SAN. It turned out to be loose battery cable on the battery. Suggest check terminals and where cable are crimped onto terminals. I hope this helps.

David