However at 2 mph the batteries for the trolling motor drain too quickly
That's my problem, I could get the trolling motor to go above 2 mph, but it probably last an hour and starts to slow down!! If I run the trolling motor at about 1 to 1.2 I could be on the water all day with the same speed!!
I've tried the in and out of gear a few times, it's a pain keeping the boat at the constant speed while looking at everything else( fishfinder, planar boards with flag, rods and lines without the board, and where the boat is going)