Review on 🚣 Watersnake T18 ASP - Powerful 18 Pound Thrust 12v Electric Saltwater Trolling Motor with Transom Mount by Isaac Ismail

The Watersnake T18s ASP engine arrived a few weeks ago but due to flooding in South Carolina I had to wait to try it out. I just installed the bracket on my 14.5 foot Native Ultimate kayak. . and added an Ever Start deep cycle boat battery I bought at Walmart for $76. The battery weighs 46 pounds on my bathroom scale. The first test run was in a reservoir (so I didn't have to worry about tidal currents in the rivers). I ran at full speed most of the time for about 3 hours. According to the GPS on my phone, the full speed was between 3.5 and 4.5 mph. The low speed was 2.5 to 3.5 mph in winds of 8 to 10 mph. My second run was below Ashley on the pre and post tide doldrums in the wide part of the river, again no problem, averaging 3.5 to 4.5 mph. My third run was 2.5 miles in the upper Ashley River and I was able to maintain an average speed of 3 to 4.5 mph even against a strong current. The fourth call was made in Charleston Harbor and on the Atlantic side of Sullivan's Island, about 1/4 mile offshore. Various speeds and stops at beaches/islands for a total of about 5 hours was just relaxing about a quarter of the time at slow speed. Watersnake performed better than I had hoped. It takes seconds to connect, is extremely easy to use and yet seems reliable. For me 250 pounds. and a 46-pound battery plus a cooler and slower tackle that's a little faster than I can paddle. The high speed is just a plus, up to 5.5mph in the right conditions. On these rides, the engine was running almost constantly so I could see what it was going to do. Fishing is not common. On all runs except the 1st I never discharged the battery more than 1/3. The battery level was over ½ on the first run. I still row, but the Watersnake gives me more reach and I don't have to worry about rowing home against the changing tide when the fish start biting. One final note: SC and some other states require you to own and register any kayak/canoe with any motor type. The whole process took about 10 minutes, at least in the SC, and cost $40.