a bit of a review on jarvis marine water snake.

[nighthawk]

Wel i bought the electric yesterday on speacial for $599 its a 54lb thrust model.i have to tell you i was a liitle worried about the brand but at the price well i thought what the hell.
It mounted up real easy on the bow with no probs HOOKED UP MY 100AH BATTERY and off we went to mooloolaba river.
My tinnie 90kg
fuel 20kg
2 batts 50kg
me 100kg
son 70kg
casting deck
tackles
yamaha 25 51kg
i have to tell you this thing goes like a rocket,not having a elet before i gave it some and it nearly threw us out the boat.the foot controls are so easy to use.
We used it against the current and wind and it was great all we could do was smile at each other at how well it worked for the money saving heaps on the other brands.
if you are thinking of getting a elect i can tell you these are great.
if you live on the sunshine coast a week and have no probs if you would like to try it out.
FURTHER UPDATES AS I STRESS TEST TODAY IF THE RAIN STOPS.

[Blaster Bretty]

good on ya nighthawk...Ive been waiting for a post on the watersnake as Im thinking of nabbibg one myself.
You see ive just bought my first boat..A 12 footer glass runabout, It has a 6 neddie johnno on the back and the bloke who serviced it said the motor is great for its age,been looked after real well He rekon's but recommended I not venture too far out into the bay due to the age of it, you just never know he said!!! So I was thinking coz Im an estuary / river fisho and will only ever be fishing those waters maybe the watersnake will be an Ideal investment as an auxilary/ rescue remedy in case I need to get to shore if the old johnno wont go!!! Your post may have made up my mind.
Cheers nighthawk.

Bretty

[backhoe]

Whereabouts did you get it from for that price?

[Flattie Assassin]

I've seen them in all sorts of catalouges at the moment for $599. Shouldn't be too much drama tracking one down.

[nipsta]

i have the 44lb version and i love it as well i got mine for 499 at tackleword kawana easy to operate and i tell ya they handle the punishemnt i used it at monduran on the weekend and bumped trees and didnt hurt it at all goes relly well

[Blaster Bretty]

Thats it ...Im sold...I think I seen them advertised at either k-mart or ###### all sports,,, might check it out today.

Bretty

[NAGG]

For me its still early times for the snakes ....... They still need another 12-18 months or so on the water before I am convinced of their real value.
In fairness .. to date all reports seem to be OK ... Though I have heard that their thrust output in comparison is less than a Kota ( 54lb vs 54lb) ..... A guy I spoke to changed from a Minn Kota to a snake .... & that was his only negative comment! .... Anyhow time will tell ,,Cheers, Nagg

[nipsta]

For me its still early times for the snakes ....... They still need another 12-18 months or so on the water before I am convinced of their real value.
In fairness .. to date all reports seem to be OK ... Though I have heard that their thrust output in comparison is less than a Kota ( 54lb vs 54lb) ..... A guy I spoke to changed from a Minn Kota to a snake .... & that was his only negative comment! .... Anyhow time will tell ,,Cheers, Nagg

i dont know how fast other electrics go but mine at full speed does 3 knots and seem to be ok in strong current it push my 385 explorer with a 25hp along really nice and easy to controll

[QuinnyDory]

Hey,
Im happy with mine.... so far.
Installed a 54lb transom mount on a 4.6m tinnie 3 weeks ago. Im also surprised at how it pushes a boat like mine even in a stiff breeze and chop - particularly given the height of the sides on my "tinnie"; Id swear its more of a sailing boat in a breeze. You cant complain about the performance for $$ and if it lasts me a few years thats good enough for me.

cheers.

[NAGG]

i dont know how fast other electrics go but mine at full speed does 3 knots and seem to be ok in strong current it push my 385 explorer with a 25hp along really nice and easy to controll

Hi Nipsta ...... Your 385 would fly with a 54lber on it ( good choice) Unfortunately many under gun their boats ( ie : 450s & 480s with 54lb ..... when they are really at their best with 74lb) ....... Yes they work , but they use up their charge faster & can struggle against tide & wind Cheers , Nagg

[nipsta]

Hi Nipsta ...... Your 385 would fly with a 54lber on it ( good choice) Unfortunately many under gun their boats ( ie : 450s & 480s with 54lb ..... when they are really at their best with 74lb) ....... Yes they work , but they use up their charge faster & can struggle against tide & wind Cheers , Nagg

44lb mine is and yes it goes really well with it on there just got to get use to fighting barra and using it at the same time get abit complicated when the buggers go round trees

[Polly]

I have the stern drive and am pleased with the performance on my 4.5metre but

the exposed bolts need a lot of attention and don't seem suitable for the salt.

I am replacing the transom mounts at the moment .

I always washed them down and sprayed with lanolin after each trip but they

have serious corrosion after only 9 months use.

The height adjusting mount seized and was replaced under warranty no problem but it is a bit of a nusiance putting the new one on.