had the same issue, and my motor ended up being bad.
If you search around, you'll find boats that use 775 mabuchi(spelling?) motor, those are the exact same motor in our starter box. Only issue, is you'll have to try and pull the pinion pully off without destroying it. Use a puller, should work. Better to pay $20 for the same motor then $40 for the motor in Associated package....although it includes a new pinion pulley.