The trolling motor will just quit sometimes if I shake the handle several times it will start back up

I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your Motorguide Varimax Great White trolling motor. Here is a diagram of the upper control housing for the 2009 model that may be helpful:

1. Control housing assembly
2. Tilt tube assembly
3. Steering shaft assembly
4. Tension spring
5. Speed control knob
6. Directional indicator
7. Steering handle assembly

Regarding the issue with the motor only running in reverse, it is possible that there is a problem with the control housing assembly or the wiring connections to the motor. You may want to inspect the wiring and connections for any signs of damage or corrosion. If you are unable to identify the issue or make the necessary repairs, you may want to consider taking the trolling motor to a Motorguide service center for professional diagnosis and repair.

Typically not. The trolling motor should have been fine...

Depending on the item in question, trolling motor, for example, there is a fused/breaker directly running off positive side of battery. Looks like a pill box or match box. Several people have had their trolling motors quit working and this is usually the culprit. Much of the fusing runs directly of hot wire from batter to item in question. However, I will paste a URL here for you. http://www.marine-electrical.com/resourcelibrary/wiringdiagrams2.aspx

The switc his designed for only two batteries. You could parallel the two trolling motor batteries and put their leads under one terminal on the switch, but any time the switch was in that position, both batteries would be feeding the trolling motor load at the same time.

In any case, always connect the starting motor to it's own terminal. You want to keep that battery seperated from the trolling motor load so that you do not run down your starting battery.

6 guage

you have an internal ground short/ pos to ground intermittent short.. tearit down and tighten all coonections and lube them.

defective potentiometer if used. Some may use a photocell.

If this is a foot control model, try cleaning the connection where it plugs up. I have cleaned mine but I still have to fidget with it every time to get it to work right.

Most trolling motors have in-line breakers, I would start there & see if one went bad, then check the wiring under the foot pedal for broken or corroded contacts, then you will have to trace wires & make sure everything is in order starting at the trolling motor plug.

I had the same problem and found the oring/seal had let water into the motor. I believe it overheats or draws too many amps when wet? New seals fixed mine but I had to replace the bearing because it had been doing this for a while and the bearing had rusted out.