It appears to be useful if my motor were to rotate to near horizontal ...otherwise it doesn't come close to being able to dog off on anything.

 

To take pressure off the trim/tilt system while storing or parking the boat. 

The question is how to engage it. Unless my motor goes to nearly horizontal, it doesn't  come close to being useful. Am I supposed to adjust the travel endpoints to get further travel out of the motor trim?

Why doesn't this work on my brand new boat?

Once you go past trim, you should go into tilt, and the motor should go almost horizontal.  Flip the lever, and lower the motor.  It's tight, and the motor rides pretty flat.  You may have to turn the wheel all the way to get it to work.  If it it doesn't work, I'd say the question of "why" would be one for the boat dealer you purchased the boat from.

It's also not meant to be used as a motor-toter or transom saver while traveling although some people do use it that way.

Since it is a new boat, did you get the owner's manual for the motor?  How to use the tab should be in there.

That is just another semi worthless part that some companies add to the motors.  I had several with them and never used a one that I can remember.

When you're doing maintenance on the motor like replacing the trim/striker plates/removing the LU etc.  you'll see how helpful the Tilt Lock Lever is.

2 hours ago, tomustang said:

When you're doing maintenance on the motor like replacing the trim/striker plates/removing the LU etc.  you'll see how helpful the Tilt Lock Lever is.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough in the op.

This lever doesn't dog off on anything. It doesn't hold anything up. I can't get the motor high enough, no matter what I try, for it to 'tilt stand' up or whatever else you want to call it.

The question is, should this work, what needs to be done for it to work. It sure does look nice, but it doesn't engage anything. 

Does the trim sensor (or whatever it is) need to be adjusted to make use of this kickstand?

The answer is: talk to the dealer that sold you the boat.