A system for automatically starting and stopping engine(s) of a vessel based on the position of a handle. Movement of the handle out of neutral initiates the automatic starting of the engine(s) by an ECM. Movement of the handle into neutral initiates the automatic stopping of the engine(s), which may also require certain other prerequisite conditions. An ECM is in electrical communication with the engine(s), transmission, battery, initializer, starter, and various sensors providing information on the position of the handle and other conditions including engine speed, temperature, transmission speed, vessel speed and battery voltage. The ECM includes memory and processor(s), and is configured to receive information from the various sensors and operative components of the vessel and determine when to initiate automatic start and stop of the engine(s) based on thereon.