We designed it to be hard to lower (so it doesn't accidentally fall down while trailering) and easy to 'kick up' if coming into contact with something below the water or for beaching if you forget. Look at the handle mount piece on the deck - the up hold is square, and the up is ramped in shape - so lifting you just push the handle - but to lower it you need to lift up on the knob to get it started. This is all by design and normal. (page 28 of the manual shows this action:
http://static.hobiecat.com/digital_assets/897005-tandem-island-manual-150701.pdf)