Replacement trolling motor advice

[Amarillo Palmira]

Just like my post about my rusting trailer, I've got considerable rust on the lower unit of my MinnKota Maxxum TM. The guys at MinnKota tell me to go to a saltwater trolling motor vice the freshwater version. What I'm worried about is the hand controlled motor versus a foot control which I'm used to. I think I've got three options: go with another freshwater TM when this one dies and hit it with some saltaway or some such after every trip. Get a hand control and get used to it, or buy the very expensive SW trolling motor that has the electric foot control.

I wash the heck out of that TM after every trip too, but still have a lot of rust, especially where the shaft enters the lower unit. Just a matter of time before water gets in there. Thoughts? Thanks everybody, Amarillo