I have a 185 sport and you can fish in 2 feet of water with no problem. My TM is adjustable so I pull it all the way up when going into shallow water. I've never had any problems retrieving all my bank snags. Ha!
So,I am not the only person that does the one-footed-trolling motor-balancing act.I have to quit doing it though,I believe that is how I trashed my old mount.To much flexing side to side when it's not locked down.