quick silver 3000 classic removal?

[Baby Blue]

1998 Maxum 2800 scr
454 carb
Bravo 3
controller is 3000 quicksilver classic.

I need to replace the shift cable and also going to replace the throttle cable while I'm in there.
online I see it's recommended to put the gear selector in reverse and forward to line up a mark to remove an allen key.
my understanding with a Bravo 3 is you don't want to put the boat in gear without the engine running.
I'm not sure if you can line up the marks by pushing the center button in to increase throttle without putting it in gear.
For anyone that has done with job please provide tips or advise.
thanks.
Mark

[Baby Blue]

Don’t know why I didn’t think of this before posting but I can remove the cable from the engine end then safely move gear selector.

[mmwjr]

That will work but tie a string onto the cable so you can use it to pull the cable back through when reinstalling.