WATERSNAKE MAINTENANCE TIPS

MAINTAINING YOUR WATERSNAKE ELECTRIC MOTOR

We recommend you use an inline fuse to protect the circuit of the motor. An inline fuse is a connection that joins the motor battery cable to the battery and shuts the motor off if the battery terminal connection over heats.

Your Watersnake Electric Motor should provide many seasons of dependable service. However, like any tool, electric motors must be cared for.

After each day of fishing, the motor should be cleaned thoroughly. If you have been fishing in saltwater, it is suggested that you wash the motor with warm fresh soapy water until all salt deposits are washed away. Be careful not to use a gush of water to clean the motor, as this will drive salt particles into the motor’s internal mechanisms. Instead use a light stream of water or very fine spray merely to dissolve saltwater particles that have accumulated on the external parts of the motor.

Dry excess moisture from the motor and sparingly lubricate all areas. Many fisherman use a pressurised spray oil for quick and easy lubrication after washing their motor. If you choose to do this, make sure you wash the motor first. Frequently lubricate all frictional points, a reliable grease if you are re-greasing internal parts.

Use only greases designed for electric motors. other greases may contain lead particles that may cause damage to electric motor gears. Your motor should always be stored in a cool dry place. Do not store in a plastic bag as this may cause condensation. However, we do recommend you cover your motor if you must leave it outside. Periodically inspect your motor and tighten any loose screws or fittings. Depending on use, your motor should be serviced at least once every season.

Trolling motors designed in quite the same way as an 2-4 stoke outboard motor but they are quiet and very effective for fishing. Many people use trolling motors to enhance their fishing experience, however, and unfortunately many don't maintain or store them correctly.

RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN USING YOUR WATERSNAKE MOTOR IN THE WATER

Upon connecting your battery to your motor, and before setting off in your boat, make sure that your trolling motor is mounted correctly and stowed securely in the mounting bracket. Of course once you engage your Watersnake motor for use make sure that it is in the right place, not too low or too high. Once you are in deep water, you should make sure that you gradually increase the speed of your trolling motor, do not flatten it up to full speed right away. For example, if you have a 5 speed trolling motor, don't click through all of the other speeds really fast to get to 5, slowly go up to 1 speed, 2 speed, and so on. Also you don't want to run your trolling motor out of water.

RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN YOUR WATERSNAKE MOTOR IS OUT OF THE WATER

When you have finished with your trolling motor each session you might want to disconnect the battery from your trolling motor and take out the battery out and recharge it. Store the battery in a safe place. If you have a small boat without a cover it is recommended to take the motor off the boat also and storing that in a safe place too. This may take you an extra few minutes of you time but it is good for the motor.

SHORT-TERM STORAGE OF YOUR WATERSNAKE MOTOR

If you are going to be gone for a short break or there is rain forecast and the motor is to remain on the boat, we recommend covering the motor to protect the electronics. Even better, make sure that you have a safe non-damp area that your trolling motor can stay in room temperature.

LONG-TERM STORAGE OF YOUR WATERSNAKE MOTOR

If you are not going to use your motor in the off-season, put your motor in a really safe place where no water or extreme cold or hot temperatures can get in. We suggest making a place under-cover away from moisture, this should protect the electronics such as the circuit board and speed control unit.

SERVICING YOUR WATERSNAKE ELECTRIC MOTOR

When it’s time for your Watersnake electric motor to be serviced, it is recommended you choose to use an Authorised Service Agent such as Anglers' Central Service Centre to perform the service.

Watersnake electric motors are precision instruments that rely on exacting alignment of numerous components; it is worth considering taking your electric motor to an Authorised Service Agent for servicing.

If you choose to service the electric motor yourself or through any other third party not authorised by Jarvis Walker to service Watersnake motors, the motor will no longer be covered within any of the warranty agreeement terms and items or issues from that time on and thereafter will be the sole responsibility of the owner. It is important to make sure you use good quality grease, and remember do not over lubricate. Small amounts of grease in the correct places are more important.

MAINTAINING YOUR WATERSNAKE INFLATABLE BOAT

Maintenance is easy but essential. It is not difficult to do it. The most difficult part is to make yourself do the maintenance! Your Watersnake inflatable boat should provide many seasons of dependable service. However, like any tool, inflatable boats must be cared for. After each day of use, the boat should be cleaned thoroughly. If you have used the inflatable boat in saltwater, it is strongly suggested that you wash the boat with warm fresh soapy water until all salt deposits are washed away. Be careful not to use a gush of water to clean the boat, as this will drive salt particles into the boat’s internal seams and repeatedly doing so could weaken them. Instead use a light stream of water or very fine spray merely to dissolve saltwater particles that have accumulated on the external parts of the boat. Then dry excess moisture from the boat.

Your boat should always be stored in a cool dry place. Do not store in a plastic bag as this may cause condensation. Depending on use, it is recommended your boat be cleaned after each use or at least after each day of activity.

WATERSNAKE INFLATABLE BOATS - RECOMMENDED CLEANING TIPS:

Never use strong detergents (acid based, trichloroethylene, mineral spirit) or silicone based products to clean the inflatable boat.
Inflate the boat before cleaning.
Remove the floor or floor boards where applicable.
Clean all grime, stains, etc (use products from your dealer if required PVS and or rubber specialised cleaners).
Check all inflatable sections for leaks, with foamy soap and water.
Rinse with fresh water and dry thoroughly.
Never use high pressure cleaning equipment. This may cause damage to the boat.
To clean the boat use pieces of cotton fabric or cellular (sponge) to avoid the main material damage.
Control your energy when you clean the boat. Too active cleaning can harm it more than normal boat use. It is recommended to clean the boat gently.
Always dry the boat after you wash it. In case it is impossible to do it directly after use - do it as soon as possible. In case the boat stays wet stored (especially in a warm place) - it can cause problems to elements, accessories, fabrics etc.
To avoid serious damage of your boat never dry it under strong direct sunlight, especially when it's inflated hard. It is always recommended to deflate the boat a small amount to dry, leaving some air inside just to keep the form.

WATERSNAKE INFLATABLE BOATS - RECOMMENDED STORAGE TIPS:

When storing your boat, keep it in a clean and dry place that is not affected from major variations in temperature and other damaging environmental factors. It is recommended you store the boat deflated and rolled up or lightly inflated.
For long term storage in the sun (especially in tropical regions), protect your boat with a cover.
Rodents chew on fabric including inflatable boat material. Store away from rodents (rats and mice).

WATERSNAKE INFLATABLE BOATS – IMPORTANT PLASTICS CARE

There are a lot of different plastic elements on inflatable boats: oarlocks, oar stops, oar paddles, valves, handles, rub rails, etc. They are made of different plastics, such as PVC, ABS, Polypropylene, Polyester, synthetic resins, etc.

The main things to pay attention to with regards to the plastic parts, are:

Surface cracking, discoloration and turbidity caused by UV radiation.
Inconvertible deformations. All plastics have no crystal structure and in the long run all plastics will "flow" more or less.

Keeping them clean prolongs the life time of plastics, of course, it doesn't stop their deterioration. All plastics already have special additives, which increase the UV-resistance and slightly retard ageing. Be careful choosing chemical products for cleaning - if the wrong cleaner is used the parts can be easily deteriorate. So, if you would like to use a cleaning agent different from the normal-safe soapy water, make sure that the cleaning product you are going to use is applicable for the plastic you want to clean.

On the market you can find so called "restorative agents" - chemicals, which can restore the surface of plastic elements. Unfortunately they only temporarily provide a better outlook.

Be very careful if you choose to use restorers and or cleaning agents which contain silicones, because:

The surface coated with silicon containing the restorers or cleaners has a sufficiently lower ability for gluing.
Very often cleaners with silicone based elements can be a main reason for the destruction of the seams – penetration of the silicones into the seamed areas sufficiently decreases the adhesion level.

The best way to prevent the destruction of plastics is to protect the boat against an active UV radiation by means of an overall cover and to minimise the time, when a boat should stay under direct sunlight.