Well actually several such problems. Purchased used Mud Buddy, having never seen one before. Not many mud motors in TN. First issue I would appreciate your knowledge on is whether cavitation adjustments can stop the prop from digging in period. This is a safety concern for me. First run with motor, if I let go of the handle, the prop dropped, dug in and off I would go at pretty good clip even at idle. Note: This is just a little 5hp Honda hung on a 13' Gheenoe which I now know is not a very good combination due to heavy weight of the motor low transom and other factors. I would much rather have it sputter on top and have to push it in than have it just take off. All I'm trying to accomplish is to travel up stream in small rocky river. Any help appreciated except those who will say don't drop the handle. Ron

Sell it

^^ignore this...

Bend the end of the cav plate down towards the prop, this will make it ride higher.

Also, don't drop the handle, they will dig at low speed regardless of cav plate position.

Not sure what you're trying to accomplish, but letting go of the tiller and using bungie cords to hold it, especially in low hanging trees is asking for trouble.

How often do you drive down the road and throw the steering wheel out??? Don't let go, always wear your kill switch lanyard and get some more stick time it'll get better

Dude I had a 24hp Honda on a 1432 riveted for a while, just take your time and build some stick time up! Are u standing or sitting while driving??

Yes sold it off

Always remember long tails are better suited for long skinny boats, the driving question was asked. If your standing while driving get a handle bar/kit it'll help a lot!

It would perform well on a 14x32 or 14x36

I don't understand what you are saying by "drop the tiller".
Are you wanting to lift the prop out of the water, let go of the tiller and the prop stay out the water instead of falling in?
That is a balance issue, put some weight on the tiller side of the motor.

bend the handle with a pipe bender out of the way.

or, I saw a custom handle made that was a wide loop that the driver used to get maximum side to side clearance. it was shaped like the outline of a giant piece of pie. might work for you.

or, get a box/ice chest to sit on forward of the handle so you can pass it behind you while pivoting your torso.

different ways to skin that cat.

Might be a stupid question, but i have limited knowledge on the extra small MM's so here we go, does your motor have the "4 wheel drive" feature, as i call it. The lever you pull to drop the motor down past the trim height? My trim is a screw that pushes against a block that raises and lowers the engine. If i pull my lever down, it moves the block out of the way and allows the motor to drop down very far. But when i just let my motor idle, with the lever up, the prop sits mostly in the water, but definitely not low enough to grab, like you say yours does. But i'm not sure if these smaller motors have this feature. Just something i'm curious about

I've never seen a Lt like that, post a picture.

Put it in neutral......duh

Just saying thanks for the responses and suggestions. I will be trying some of them. Ron

sorry ... I drive a pd and thought all motors had neutral.... must suck not to have neutral, I couldnt imagine oh wait a second I can....when I had a lt i always held on to the tiller when the engine was running...I must have thought that was how you did it....

Or... you can play with the balance of the motor, the wieght distribution, cav. plate and skeg adjustments, and throttle to have a motor that drives itself.

just a thought add weight to the handle.

RON.... I AGREE WITH PAUL I SEE HIS THREADS ALL THE TIME HE HAS SOME SENSE ALSO MORE STICK TIME BY YOURSELF WEARING THE KILL SWITCH...GET USE TO TURNING THRU OBSTICALS I RUN A 23LT MB ON A 1448 SHE TURNS LIKE A LOGGING TRUCK WHEN RUNNING HIGH RPMS ALSO MINE TAKES OFF AND DIGS IF I LET IT... GET USED TO PUSHING DOWN ON IT A LOT TO CONTROL YOUR IDLE EX: NO WAKE ZONES AND STUFF PACTICE LOADING ON TRAILOR...I WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN I BOUGHT MINE COMPARING IT TO SURFACE DRIVES BUT DONT EVER THINK TWICE ABOUT ONE NOW...I REALIZED THAT SPEED ISNT THE ANSWER GETTING TO THE MARSH IS AND PASSING UP THE 20 FT RIG WITH HIS BLACK DEATH MB WHEN HES HUNG UP IN SHALLOW WATER IS HILARIOUS ANY WAYS DONT GIVE UP ON IT WAS MY POINT PRACTICE PRACTICE

The GD guys tie a rope to the bottom of the boat in which to hold the tiller down therefore taking your prop out of the water. Hope this helps but id never advise anyone to just drop the tiller.