Was out on the lake last weekend. Motor bogged then died. Attempted to restart but starter just bumped and would not turn motor over. First thought was that it seized up but have since read that it could be gears? Is there a way to check? I'm hoping I'm not going to need a new power head but have a feeling that's where this is headed.

Take the cowl off and get a socket that will fit the flywheel bolt and see if you can turn it in either direction. Take the plugs out and look for metal melted on the plugs and it will be easier to turn the motor over with the plugs out too.

Remove the drain plug in the lower unit. Oil should be clean with only a few very fine metal shavings on the magnet. If it is milky or if there are chunks of metal in the oil, then drop the lower unit and see if the motor will turn over. The sure way to tell if it is the motor or lower unit is to drop the lower unit.

This!

Thank you. I will try that out when I get to the house...fingers crossed!

Got home, pulled drain plug on lower and almost pure water drained. Substantial metal filings on plug. Not sure how to drop lower but it would appear I may be "lucky" and only have to replace lower instead of power head. I'll see if I can figure out how to drop the lower as y'all suggested to check further but it may be beyond my limited mechanical abilities

Dropped the lower (easier than I would have thought!) and the motor turns over. So, if you can consider it lucky to only have to replace the lower then I'm lucky. Thank you all for the guidance!