Update on my battery experience...
1. It took exactly 2 weeks since I emailed Li Time Support until I received a replacement battery.
2. I asked them what can be done to prevent the internal cells from becoming unbalanced and they claimed the BMS would do that. That's not true because the BMS didn't do it for the battery I returned - unless the replacement battery has an updated BMS.
3. Interestingly, I see that Li Time now offers a "TM" version of their 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery. (TM stands for Trolling Motor). It has the same specs as my battery, except its BMS allows a greater amperage pull for a short time. This tells me the start up of an 80lbs Minn Kota probably tries to draw more current than a standard BMS will allow.
So, if I had to do it all over again, I would buy a battery that allows these short-term higher draws. I would really like one with Active Balancing, but no one advertises that feature at this point.