Yamaha F9.9J Owner's Manual page 50

Operation
To shift from in gear (forward/reverse) to neu-
tral
1. Close the throttle so that the engine
slows to idle speed.
44
2. After the engine is at idle speed in gear
move the remote control lever / gear shift
lever firmly and crisply into the neutral po-
sition.
ZMU07892
ZMU02030