Trolling motor with local and remote control modes

A method comprising:

• receiving one or more steering commands from a wired or wireless controller, wherein the wired or wireless controller is configured to provide commands to a trolling motor assembly, wherein the trolling motor assembly is configured for attachment to a watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly comprises:
• a shaft defining a first end and a 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 steering assembly configured to steer the trolling motor housing about a first axis defined by the shaft to a plurality of directions;
• wherein the steering assembly is configured to steer the trolling motor housing based on one or more steering commands received from the wired or wireless controller in a remote mode;
• and
• a handle configured to enable a user to steer the trolling motor housing about the first axis in a local mode;
• causing the steering assembly to steer the trolling motor housing based on the one or more steering commands;
• receiving an indication to enter the local mode;
• and
• disabling the steering assembly in response to the indication to enter the local mode.

A trolling motor assembly comprising:

• a wired foot pedal;
• and
• a trolling motor subassembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, wherein the wired foot pedal is connected to the trolling motor subassembly, wherein the trolling motor subassembly comprises:
• a shaft defining a first end and a 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 subassembly 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 subassembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in the body of water;
• a steering assembly configured to steer the trolling motor housing about a first axis defined by the shaft to a plurality of directions;
• wherein the steering assembly is configured to steer the trolling motor housing based on a steering command received from the wired foot pedal in a remote mode;
• a handle configured to enable a user to steer the trolling motor housing about the first axis in a local mode;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory including computer program code configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive one or more steering commands from the wired foot pedal;
• cause the steering assembly to steer the trolling motor housing based on the one or more steering commands;
• receive an indication to enter the local mode;
• and
• disable the steering assembly in response to receiving the indication to enter the local mode.