Awful grinding noise while attempting to start

[jjuriga]

I have a 1987 200/v8 merc. I put it in the water on Sunday, started great and ran beautiful (just had the lower unit serviced and seals replaced due to leaking gear lube). Parked it at my dock, washed it etc and when I went to start it last night, it made an awful grinding noise. I stopped there as to not cause anymore damage. Def sounds like the starter... which I replaced back in 2015.that's the logical place to begin, right?