Mine is "semi-free".
I added a 1 1/4 inch piece of PVC under the front of my cable steered MinnKota TM pedal. That puts the pedal at a tilted angle.
I then added an Omega _/\_ shaped piece of aluminum strap permanently affixed to the front deck. The end of the PVC 1 1/4 inch tube slides into the aluminum device. That way, I can have it stay in front, at the appropriate angle....but still remove it easily and move it around the deck as needed.
My front deck doesn't have any carpet, so sliding around was, and still is, an issue. I'll post a picture, but it will be a couple of days.
I also just added a cleat near the front. It is spaced so that I can slip the cable into (or out of ) it easily. Just keeping that cable stationary helps quite a bit.
If I had to do it over again, I would have purchased the Powerglide electronically steered trolling motor, instead of the cable steered one. I just copied the one that was on the boat when I bought it. I should have thought it through better.
richg99