Is it the Starter Motor

[RedRoc]

I went to take my grandson out fishing. My 1989 175HP made a feeble attempt to tun over. I tried several time and then saw smoke comming from the stern compartment. I turned the batteries off and then discovered the wires were hot to the touch and rubber insulation had melted. Would a shorted started cause the amps (heat) to build up in the feed wire?

[boats.net]

Yes the starter could cause it or bad battery cables or cable connections could as well.