Forward is the factory-recommended way. However, my two cents is that I like neutral better. There is a lot of possible radial movement in forward, on the gear case side of things; whereas in neutral, things tend to stay more lined up, in my opinion. I have done many, many of them that way but do what you want. Whatever you do, DO check that it works, before you go launching the boat at the public ramp.
Long live American manufacturing!