Shift device for outboard motor

A shift device for an outboard motor, comprising:

• a forward gear and a reverse gear arranged so as to face each other;
• a clutch gear arranged between the forward gear and the reverse gear;
• a shift actuator configured to move between a neutral reference position where the clutch gear is disengaged from the forward gear and the reverse gear and an engagement reference position where the clutch gear is engaged with the forward gear or the reverse gear;
• and
• a control device configured to control a movement of the shift actuator,
• wherein the control device is configured to set an intermediate target position between the neutral reference position and the engagement reference position, and to set a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the intermediate target position to the engagement reference position slower than a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the neutral reference position to the intermediate target position.