Ok heres the deal: Have a GD 1644 with 27 kohler LT 9x6. When in the mud and starting from a dead stop it just digs in and will make a hole in the mud "subsurface" and not move ahead. The problem then is getting the damm thing back up out of the mud. I am really afraid of breaking the handle off!! You guys will get a kick out of this, I tried one time shutting off the motor and seeing if it would be easier to lift up BIG Mistake! with the mercury switch I could not start it up again. I finally got it up after working side to side and nearly breaking the handle off ! Just looking for some tips you all learned along the way that could save some heart ache. On my previous 16hp GD LT you just wound it up and dropped it down in the mud and it made a forward lurch and off it went, sometimes having to repeat the steps but it never just dug down like this 27hp? I really don't recall having the issue of getting the motor unstuck out of the mud? Anyway thanks for the help I have enjoyed the Website greatly!

Ya don't by chance got a tall transom, long shafted motor on a ST boat?

move it side to side while its digging. should push you forward

Don't let it dig down that far. Put your weight on the handle to prevent it from digging so fast. You get max forward thrust when the prop digs just deep enough to keep from blowing out the hole. When it starts to dig fast let off the throttle a bit and put more pressure down on the handle (unless the boat is moving forward). It takes some practice but it'll work.

It's hard to explain but that's what works for me.

you've got 11 more horsepower now. you drive it or it drives you. you will learn where the sweet spot is with stick time, as far as how deep to let it dig to move forward before it gets away with you. start out at idle an throttle up slowly. you won't need as much throttle as you did with the 16.

it's just a new learning curve.

as far as the handle, you can have one fabbed out of schedule 80 pipe if you're worried about it. I've broken a couple of handles before.

Handle that thing! start putting pressure when it starts to dig like that, Move from side to side some, and let it dig in just a tad bit, when you push down and the prop surfaces the mud, it'll push..

Post a pic of your wheel. You got any cup left on it?

Should be matched correctly I purchased the rig from GoDevil in Baton Rouge. I haven't had allot of time to really run in the mud but want to be on my game for duck season around the corner. It is a mule of a motor !! The original wheel was a 9x7 and I had it repitched as per GD to 9x6 based on rpms. Haven't even run the 9x6 in anything but deep water for a test run. Thanks for the help and you have to man handle this thing or it will work you to death:) I will test out the less throttle right of the bat and ease into it next time.

There is a big bolt on the back that stops it from tilting down past a certain point. Remove that bolt and replace it with a longer one.