Pretty sure that’s not good

So, noticed this past weekend that my trolling motor shaft seems to be getting really worn. Super scratched up and I can’t figure out why. I thought it was only rubbing while it was deployed, but it seems to be rubbed the whole length of the shaft. I tried a generous amount of WD-40 that I rubbed in all around the shaft, but that did nothing as far as I can tell. When I rub my hand on it, it leaves a black powdery dust on my hand. I thought about greasing it, but don’t want to get grease in the water, on my hull, or on my hands when deploying it. Any guesses what is causing it or how to stop it?
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I think what you're seeing is just normal degradation of the composite. They are made of some kind of plastic with fiber reinforcement.

The scratches look like there is dirt down in the collar that is scratching it as you stow and deploy. Might be worth flushing with air or something.

Grease is not a good idea, really about all you can use is a dry lube like silicone spray, or armor all.

I would replace that bushing it goes through. Think that is the wear point and it has worn through the coating. Pretty sure that’s where your powder is coming from.

I would ask the people that made it for advice { minn kota } but i would say something got down in the bushing , road dirt, garage dirt , or like said above just worn out, don't grease it