throttle/shift problems 1989 mercruiser 3.0

Question
hard time shifting into forward will go into neutral and reverse, but have a hard time getting it to go into forward

Answer
Hi Bonnie...Thank you for selecting the undersigned to reply to your question.

I'm not a mechanic, however, there could be a cable linkage problem associated with the symptom you've described. Alternatively, there may be a problem with the clutch or pinion gear, and recommend you consult a qualified and reliable marine mechanic to resolve.

Safe Boating
Ron