Considering buying an electric motor for your boat? MARK WILLIAMS reports on another value priced option in bow-mount electrics.
For the last six months I’ve been running a Jarvis Marine Watersnake SWRT54-48 bow-mount electric motor on my Savage Kestrel V-hull tinny.
This is the first bow-mount electric I’ve owned after years of using transom mounted electrics that provided a dual purpose role on both my boat and also a large Canadian canoe. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to fish in mates’ and guides’ boats, which have featured bow-mount electrics from all the major brands available – so I had a good idea of the type of motor I required.
I ended up going for the Jarvis Marine Watersnake SWRT54-48 bow-mount after fishing with a good mate of mine, Darren Mahon, in his 4.3 metre Quintrex Hornet. Darren had a Jarvis Marine Watersnake SWRT54-48 bow-mount installed on his boat and I was really impressed with its performance and power. I knew that if it pulled a 4.3 metre Hornet around easily it would be ideal for my boat, which is slightly smaller.
The thing that really sold me was the remote control unit, it means that the bow-mount really becomes a dual control unit with the angler on the bow casting deck using the foot control and the other guy on the rear casting deck using the remote control. No more days of the guy on the bow hogging all the good shots when casting at structure such as snags!
The Watersnake features a 48-inch composite shaft, which turns out to be an ideal length for my v-hull tinny that sits a little higher in the water than the average punt. So far, the Watersnake’s performance has been faultless. It’s very responsive to control with either foot or remote control and has heaps of power to cope with the vast majority of conditions I face when fishing on my local waterway, Lake Macquarie. The tilt lock lever system is really user-friendly for either deploying the Watersnake when starting fishing or raising the motor when moving between fishing spots. The only maintenance I’ve found necessary other than a hose down after each trip is to give the motor linkages a spray with an aerosol lubricant such as Inox after every second trip to ensure ongoing smooth operation.
I’m rapt with the performance of my Watersnake SWRT54-48 bow-mount and it has become a vital piece of gear on my boat. For positioning around structure such as snags or yachts when lure fishing, or positioning the boat for a drift when jigging for dusky flathead it has become an integral part of my boat. I don’t think I could do without it now.
The RRP for this bow-mount electric is $999, although you can expect to pay considerably less at tackle retailers.
More info at: www.jarviswalker.com.au
