self deploying bow mount electrtic

[Ufatz]

I would like to hear comments about the self-deploying bow mount electric motors-you know, hit a switch and the motor goes up and over on its own.
Need user reports before I pop for $1200 bucks!!!

[Valv]

I had one this summer, 74lbs 24 volts. I think it's just a waste of money. It is practically just like a Powerdrive Autopilot, with the ability to go up and down by power, and a nice little dispaly that tells you how many hours you have with battery dead.
Other than that, I didn't see many advantages besides looking "cool" on your bow. One problem I found, if you run out of battery when motor is down, you have to let it sit sometimes to have battery get some juice back, otherwise you will not get it up back on boat (very annoying), also if you push (by mistake) the "continuous" speed button while on bow, motor won't operate.

Overall I would save the $$$ and get a regular Powerdrive Autopilot, that's why when I sold boat I left motor on it, customer was very impressed, of course.
Beware this motor is no longer in production.

------------------
Val Vignati

www.kvesurplus.com
[email protected]

[MuleSkinner]

My brother had a Minnkota Genesis. Self deploying. He loved it until it quit working. Which was soon. That is why they are out of production. Minnkota replaced it free of charge with their top-of-the-line Autopilot, 24 volt etc. But I believe the replacement retailed for under $1,000, whereas the Genesis originally was closer to $1,400.

If I were you, I'd shy away from it. Again, a thing of beauty when it works. But inherent flaws in the design. If you do buy, make sure it will be fully warrantied for when it goes kaput.

[MAITOI]

I have a Genesis 24 volt that I purchased with my 1750 Crestliner Sportfish in 2002. It has worked great and have about 200 hours on it. The only problem I had was that it broke the rod tip on my G-Loomis the first time out. Operator error!

[Ufatz]

Thanks fellas. You just saved me some money. I did not know it was out of production and, when I learned that I would not have bought it.
Appreciate the help. I thought it sounded too good to be true. HA!

[Northlander]

They are great when working but a pain when not. You cant get them out of the down position if something goes bad on it. Then you have to take it off the bow and lay it in the boat. Of course this happened to me and my partner during 45 mph winds in a Tourney!
Im with Valv get a good bowmount with universal sonar and auto pilot.