OK, sounds like the linkage was fouled up somehow which was bogging down the motor....mechanic swears she's a work-horse and that I should reconsider my plan on repowering her...
...I do trust him, so here we go againnnnnnnnnnn....maybe I should just invest in a cheap trolling motor for emergencies.
Dang boats, ALL the sayings are true!!! Best one being....
"What's better than having a boat?.....A good friend that owns one!!".....except when they text you and attach pictures of fish, while your stuck working on yours...
Thanks for all the input guys. It was very helpful.