Trolling motor issue...

[BassmanIU]

First the embarrassing part...

After fishing a spot yesterday, I started the outboard before pulling the TM up (something I never do). After cleaning the deck up a bit, I sat down and started to push the throttle forward. Water came up over the side of the boat and it listed to the left. My buddy got soaked before I had a chance to bring it back down. I never got up on plane, but now my TM won't turn when using the foot pedal. If I twist the head, it will turn pretty easily, but when I push down on the foot pedal, it's like it's seized up.

Do I need to take the head apart and make sure the steering cables are in the channels?
Have I bent the shaft enough to cause the foot pedal to stop working?
Should I throw it in the trash and get a new one?

 

[ditchdoc666]

Bent shaft I would guess

 

[Liveliner]

Possibly bent the control cable rod at the TM.
You maybe able to take the top cap off and see the damage. If it is the cable with a kink in it you may be able to straighten it with a couple pairs of Pliers. Turn it so as the cable will be pushed into the TM from the cable itself. That will give to you more to look at.

 

[BassmanIU]

Thanks guys...hoping I'm not SOL on this one.