I wouldn't suspect anything wrong with someone standing on their trolling motor.

A person standing on the TM, crossing the main boat lane on a windy day and you wouldn't ask yourself, "Why is he doing that? Maybe I should stop and ask if he needs help."

But yeah, taking the cowling off the motor is like lifting the hood of the car when broken down on the side of the road.

And then there are the other people that don't pass you. Yesterday I met a 6-8 ft square boulder that trashed my lower unit. Sat on trolling lotor about 1 hour and got to the main part of the lake and managed to flag down the only other boat on the lake----week day and windy in far west Texas.

Guys came over towed me in --- they got soaked in the high winds. Wouldn't even think about taking my money I offered for Gas or Beer on me. So not everyone will pass you up.

I agree with the Motor cover off idea. I went to Fairfield a few weeks ago. My gear selector cable broke is I was unloading the boat. I just took the cover off so I could manually lock it in gear, and went fishing. During the day I had about five people come over, out of their way, and ask if I needed help. I explained what was going on and that I had driven two hours to get there, and all understood. I thanked them anyway, and kept fishing. Thanks again guys!


Jay

The cover off didnt work on Granger lake when I had a hole in a fuel line it was spraying fuel 5 ft out into the lake Finally put on a life jacket and ran fast to the ramp to keep fuel from blowing back into the boat No, doesnt always work. One parked group even fired up and moved when I was coming close with the troll motor