Well, this evening, we went to look at the trolling motor. It was
stuck, so we went to take off the propeller, it was brittle as
bakalite, and it broke, so I split the remaining plastic from the
shaft. grabbed the shaft with some vice-grips and it wobbled a little
but that was about it. Sprayed it down with some penetrant, and worked
it back and forth. got the armature to spin a round or so, but while
holding onto the motor, I felt some crunchy grinding going on inside. I
figured it was had, so I went to take out the 3/8" bolts that hold the
motor together, and even with a short handled rachet, I figure they'd
give a real fight. but no. the first one was froze in the end and was
so rusted out, that the 1/4th" bolt shank was so rusted out, it twisted
right off because it had been reduced down to about nothing.

Then out came 4 years of rusty water. No need to go any further. I
told Mike we may as well take it off. it's not going to work, and not
really repairable. and not necessary (for the moment).

We took down the lower end of the engine to inspect the impeller and
sure enough it was cracked and breaking. hopefully the new kit will be
in tomorrow.