Mercury shallow water drive opinions wanted

[bhunts]

Anybody here have experience with the "shallow water drive" system on small Mercury outboards? The following quote is from the Mercury website FAQ:

"Shallow water drive is a preset position for operating the outboard in very shallow water. This position allows some forward thrust for navigating and steering while off-plane in areas where the outboard would normally hit the bottom."

Let me know if you have used this system, and whether it is truly useful. Would it save me the bother of fabricating a transom extension for my 17' square stern canoe? Thanks.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Mercury shallow water drive opinions wanted

Does this raise the motor vertically or simply hold it in a tilted podsition.
In a tilted position control is deminished some.If its tilted maybe you could use a wood block to hold it.Are you considering the Merc for its shallow water drive?
I like the idea of raising the transom You could rig it like a jack plate useing some big wing nuts and washers through a couple of slits in a piece of plywood.Just loosen and raise or lower as required.