Got tired of biting my tongue the more I read here. Not one to offer advise often and wasn’t even registered to post but couldn’t take it the more I read. After 27 yrs of investigating fires caused by amatuer electricians take this for what it’s worth
1) If the manufacturer recommends or requires 6 gauge wire and a 60 amp circuit….use it. They have tested their product six ways to sunday under every imaginable circumstance.
2) Smaller conductor wiring carrying the same load = more resistance. More resistance = more heat. More heat = damage -to the wiring, connections and motor and maybe…fire!
3) Smaller conductors = less current (amps), less amps burns up motor.(and voids warranty)
4) Stranded wire (jumper cables) are cheaper because of basic economics of copper. Bigger solid conductor cost more, but solid conductors will carry more load than an equivalent size stranded one. (look at your typical house wiring….hopefully it’s all solid conductor 14 or 12 ga) Stranded is used where repetative bending and flexing is required (lamp cord) which is not the case on your boat from battery to plug. Your run it one time, bend it to fit one time, tie it up and forget it.
5) (This one I loved) “Electricity only flows on the surface of the wires” Tell ya what. I’ll insert an insulated probe into the center of a heavy gauge, solid core conductor so that it’s not touching the surface as it passes out to the exterior and bare the end. you hold on to it while I plug the conductor into my dryer outlet and we won’t have to worry about you being around to repeat that nonsense.

It always amazes me that someone would spend $1300 or so on a new trolling motor….only to short change the performance and safety (let alone void the warranty) over $40 wirth of wire and circuit protection. It’s like buying a NASCAR stock car body and putting a volkswagen engine in it. Looks nice and was cheaper….but will never run right!
I’m done, just couldn’t resist this one. Sorry.