ARCO Inertia Starter Drive Gear (bendix?) What is it and why is it on my Chris Craft boat?

Large boats (yachts) are likely to have stern drives with heavy duty starters. These boats don't use typical automotive style starters. The inertia drive (also called ratcheting drive) is used to insure the boat engine gets a better chance to start. The drive will not engage/disengage constantly like an automotive bendix will. Many people replace their inertia drives, thinking that they are bad. This is a short video that shows how they work.

[@WireWeHere]

Put a little drag on the starter side and the over speed release should operate without needing added pressure.

[@inthelandofmilkandhoney457]

I have tried every method out there. Watched every video. Mine won’t release. I can’t even move the collar back to knock out the pin. So frustrating

[@CrankAddict]

My starter/alt shop was able to get a replacement drive in about 1 week. Is there such a shop near you?

[@inthelandofmilkandhoney457]

@ I just got it released this morning. I couldn’t get it to release via spinning it with power to it or with the angle grinder method. What worked for me was MishMashes sliding the tie wrap underneath the lock ball.