I bought my boat used. I have a 65# Power drive (24V). I bought the male plug end to plug the motor into the socket. I am not sure of the plug brand, but it came in a plastic bag that had a red paper insert in it (with the product name and install instructions on it) - and I think I bought it at Scheels. It was for a 24V motor according to the packaging. I wired it to the trolling motor wires which are a larger guage. When I run at higher speeds, it gets HOT. Do I need a new plug, socket, or both? Is this enough info to make a diagnosis?

I'll bet you bought a Rig-Rite plug, which is good stuff, but scroll down this page, they offer plugs and sockets with different wire gauges. Ideally, you probably should be using a 6-gauge plug, but they offer only 8 & 10 gauge wire on thier plugs. You probably bought a 10 gauge, the 8 would be better. Maybe give them a call and see if they'll exchange it for you.
HRG
http://rigritemfg.com/trolling.shtml

I'll bet you bought a Rig-Rite plug, which is good stuff, but scroll down this page, they offer plugs and sockets with different wire gauges. Ideally, you probably should be using a 6-gauge plug, but they offer only 8 & 10 gauge wire on thier plugs. You probably bought a 10 gauge, the 8 would be better. Maybe give them a call and see if they'll exchange it for you.
HRG
http://rigritemfg.com/trolling.shtml


Bingo!
:)

Check your wire connections from the batteries at the socket. If they are loose this will cause it to heat up also. The other thing you need to do is make sure the wire size from the battery to the socket is large enough. A lot of the early boats that came equiped with a trolling motor plug did not have large enough wire to handle current trolling motors. Your owners manual for the trolling motor should tell you what size wire to use.

I vote with the others about the proper wire size - needing to go bigger. But, you said you just bought the male side. Unhook your batteries, and get into the female side with pipe cleaners and alcohol, and see hou much "gunk" you pull out. That female side could have the contacts all corroded up. If you are getting lots of greenish "stuff", just replace the female socket also. Any dirt, corrosion, etc. can increase your electrical resistance, and create lots of heat, just as too small wires can do.

Most likely the suggestions you've gotten above will take care of it. But while your at it, put a volt meter on your boat when you have switches turned on. I've seen a grounding issue cause trolling motor wires to heat up and melt, as well as take out electronics.

Do any of your sacrificial anodes show excessive corrosion?