I think this one is stern mount but not sure if it will push your boat 5mph.
https://www.basspro.com/p/minn-kota-endura-c2-trolling-motor-with-battery-meter-101446445
I had a little piece on the bottom of mine broke off. thought of covering it but like you, I preferred not to drill into it.
So I ran with it broken. Negligible impact. No difference. So I left it that way for 500+ hours of running. No prob.
I boat on the Ohio River. I could clear the speedo pickup but before the day was out it would be plugged again. RPM's give me a good idea but I looked for a better option. I bought a GPS speedo. Livorski. Works great.
I had a 89 Force 230 Baja with the Quicksilver Throttle. Similar issue and I had to replace the whole throttle. It's been over 20 years ago so my memory of the details is rather fuzzy but your situation sounds very similar. Good luck.
No idea what a boat to trailer hitch is.
But as a general rule of thumb just back your trailer in until the wheel fenders are barely above water. Just the front tip of the fenders. Usually works like a charm from my experience.
Nope, I've never boated that far down the Ohio. I'm near Marietta which is about half way down the east side of Ohio. I just checked with Google maps, Evansville is 418 miles from Marietta. A 6.5 hour drive by car. And that does not follow the river. Guessing it would be over 500 miles by...
Good job. Sounds like you might beat me for first time in this season. Ohio River is a mess from all the rain. Very trashy and muddy. Hoping to put in for first time June 28th.
This is the first Father's Day weekend in 40 years that we were not able to be on a boat. Sad. I had an okay weekend but it just wasn't the same.
Hope your all's Father's day was enjoyable.