Clutch mechanism with overtravel capability

1. Field of the Invention A clutch mechanism for a marine propulsion system has a cam member that is rotatable about a first axis in coordination with the rotation of a shift shaft. A cam follower is associated with the cam member and supported for axial movement along a second axis. The cam follower is provided with cam follower surface segments that cause the cam follower to move axially in a direction parallel to the second axis in response to rotation of the cam member about the first axis between first and second rotational positions. Further rotation of the cam member from the second rotational position to a third rotational position causes no further movement of the cam follower because of the shape and position of cam follower surface segments that allow continual contact between the cam member and the cam follower while allowing rotation of the cam member without associated axial movement of the cam follower.