Combined trim and steering trolling motor system

A trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, the trolling motor assembly comprising:

• a shaft having a first end and a second end defining a shaft axis extending between the first end and the second end;
• a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein, when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in a body of water, the trolling motor, when operating, is configured to propel the watercraft to travel along the body of water;
• a main housing connected to the shaft proximate the first end of the shaft, wherein the main housing is configured to be positioned out of the body of water when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in the body of water;
• a trolling motor shaft attachment feature configured to receive and rotate with the shaft;
• and
• a steering system comprising:
• a steering motor configured to rotate the trolling motor shaft attachment feature and the shaft to steer a facing direction of the trolling motor, wherein the steering motor comprises a first gear that is connected to a gear train;
• and
• a trim system comprising:
• a trim module configured to cause the shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor housing to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft, wherein the trim module comprises a second gear that is connected to the gear train and that is disposed directly on the trolling motor attachment feature so as to drive the trolling motor attachment feature,
• wherein the trim module is disposed on the trolling motor shaft attachment feature such that the trim module rotates with the trolling motor shaft attachment feature about the shaft axis.

A method for steering and trimming a trolling motor, the method comprising:

• providing a trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly comprises:
• a shaft having a first end and a second end defining a shaft axis extending between the first end and the second end;
• a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein, when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in a body of water, the trolling motor, when operating, is configured to propel the watercraft to travel along the body of water;
• a main housing connected to the shaft proximate the first end of the shaft, wherein the main housing is configured to be positioned out of the body of water when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in the body of water;
• a trolling motor shaft attachment feature configured to receive and rotated with the shaft;
• a steering system comprising:
• a steering motor configured to rotate the trolling motor shaft attachment feature and the shaft to steer a facing direction of the trolling motor, wherein the steering motor comprises a first gear that is connected to a gear train;
• and
• a trim system comprising:
• a trim module configured to cause the shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft, wherein the trim module comprises a second gear that is connected to the gear train and that is disposed directly on the trolling motor attachment feature so as to drive the trolling motor attachment feature,
• wherein the trim module is disposed on the trolling motor shaft attachment feature such that the trim module rotates with the trolling motor shaft attachment feature about the shaft axis;
• causing the steering system to operate to cause the trolling motor shaft attachment feature and the shaft to change the facing direction of the trolling motor;
• and
• causing the trim system to operate to cause the shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft.