Re: how to use tilt correctly?
let me ask you. this happened this weekend. i ended shallower that i thought. i came to a stop but to take off again do i need to trim all the down or could i trim up enought to get out of the shallow and then adjust as needed. this makes a lot of sense now that you put it that way.
note backwater's comments above about the difference between tilt and trim...when you hit the "up" button with motor full down, it moves slow until it reaches the top of the "trim" range, then the "tilt" takes over and moves it faster the rest of the way up. "tilt" won't (shouldn't) hold the motor up at speed - it should bleed down as you apply throttle, until it gets to the highest "trim" setting.
go slow with motor tilted up in shallow water or standing timber or anywhere there might be underwater obstructions. take care to keep the water pump intakes submerged.
once its safe, follow the procedures described above. if your lower unit runs aground, be aware that debris especially sand can score the water pump housing - makes it less effective.
remember, your sonar isn't forward-looking - it won't show the sandbar until you're already on it...........