Trolling motor direction indicator assembly system

A method of assembling a direction indicator to a motorhead positioning drive system for a thrust motor, comprising:

• fully assembling the thrust motor via a shaft into the drive system in the motorhead;
• connecting the drive system to a rack;
• movably connecting the direction indicator within said motorhead;
• using said movable connection to engage the direction indicator to the rack in any given position;
• using said movable connection to align the direction indicator with the thrust motor position by selective disengagement from said rack while said direction indicator is retained to the motorhead.

A trolling motor assembly for a boat, comprising:

• a thrust motor;
• a propeller driven by said thrust motor for trolling with the boat;
• a shaft connected to said thrust motor;
• a motorhead further comprising a positioning motor and a drive assembly;
• a direction indicator rotatably mounted to said motorhead and having a stem extendable into said motorhead for selective engagement and disengagement from said drive assembly;
• said drive assembly further comprises a movable rack;
• said stem further comprises at least one gear for engagement with said rack;
• said direction indicator movably mounted with respect to said motorhead to allow selective engagement and disengagement between said gear on said stem and said rack;
• and
• said stem is biased to keep said gear on said stem selectively in contact with said rack.

A method of assembling a direction indicator to a motorhead positioning drive system for a thrust motor, comprising:

• fully assembling the thrust motor via a shaft into the drive system in the motorhead;
• connecting the drive system to a rack;
• engaging the direction indicator to the rack in any given position;
• aligning the direction indicator with the thrust motor position by selective disengagement from said rack while said direction indicator is retained to the motorhead;
• mounting the direction indicator to the motorhead with a biasing force acting against a force required for selective disengagement from said rack;
• mounting a gear on a stem extending from said direction indicator;
• allowing relative movement between said gear and said stem if a predetermined force is applied to said direction indicator;
• fine-tuning the position of the direction indicator with said gear engaged to said rack so that it aligns closely with the thrust motor position;
• securing said gear to said stem with a fastener to allow relative movement for said fine-tuning;
• extending said stem through an opening in said motorhead;
• and
• biasing said stem with a spring toward contact between said gear and said rack.

A trolling motor assembly for a boat, comprising:

• a thrust motor;
• a propeller driven by said thrust motor for trolling with the boat;
• a shaft connected to said thrust motor;
• a motorhead further comprising a positioning motor and a drive assembly;
• a direction indicator rotatably mounted to said motorhead and having a stem extendable into said motorhead for selective engagement and disengagement from said drive assembly;
• and
• said stem is biased to keep it selectively in contact with said drive assembly.

A method of assembling a direction indicator to a motorhead positioning drive system for a thrust motor, comprising:

• fully assembling the thrust motor via a shaft into the drive system in the motorhead;
• connecting the drive system to a rack;
• engaging the direction indicator to the rack in any given position;
• aligning the direction indicator with the thrust motor position by selective disengagement from said rack while said direction indicator is retained to the motorhead;
• mounting a gear on a stem extending from said direction indicator;
• extending said stem through an opening in said motorhead;
• and
• biasing said stem with a spring toward contact between said gear and said rack.