Are you talking about the shifter at the motor? Did you disconnect the shifter cable?
Sometimes on mine you have to rotate the prop to help it shift. Sounds normal if you are talking about the shift shaft. On the lower unit
when in gear either forward or reverse prop should not move, that is when the motor is not running. might have to help shift by rotating prop to move to get it in gear without motor running.
Always the issue, soon as you buy your boat. In a few years or less youll want a bigger one.. The 272 is looking like my next stop and I swore to myself the 228 and I would be together for along time. Sai la vie