Quote Originally Posted by birdstrike View Post
I investigated Jbyd's suggestion that starter should be isolated from the rest of the motor and found that, in my case, it is not. It is bolted directly to the engine, metal on metal. There are also grounding straps going every which way around the motor. Oh well, it was worth looking into. I'm just going to live with it the way it is. Thanks everyone!

Steve
Look at the starter closer if the connections are on the top ( or side) you will see that the post or bolts that the wires are connected to are NOT touching the housing of the starter. the end is either some sort of plastic or ceramic (NON_CONDUCTING) type of material. TRUST ME the current from your engine is not running thru your boat . If it was it would heat up like a stove element. NOW with that said didn't say that the motor wasn't grounded but if the hot wire was also connected to the frame of the motor you would light up like a roman candle....