Shallow Water Motor
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Backwater Inc. says its shallow water motors will power you through cattails, reeds and shallow bodies of water that are typically not navigable. That’s something waterfowl hunters, fishermen and trappers can appreciate as well as rescue workers. With six U.S. patents, the Minnesota company also says its SWOMP (Sand, Weeds, Obstacles, Mud, Propulsion) series motors are safe, fast and built to last.
The style is similar to motors and props that veterans saw in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War, says Jake Gilk, son of Arlon Gilk who developed the design with engineer Larry Hoeschen. But the U.S.-made SWOMP has features that set new standards for long tail mud motors.
“The visible difference that sets ours apart is the frame design. The DOM tubular frame (filled with marine-grade foam) adds a lot of strength, minimizes vibration and looks better as well,” Gilk says. “It is powder-coated and we also do hot-dipped galvanized and hot-coated (frames) for salt water.
“We have sold our props to farmers who have used them to stir their manure pits,” he adds. “The props are built very strong out of stainless steel to withstand taking hits in the shallow water so they are plenty strong to stir manure.”
Operation-wise, Backwater’s Surface Tracer cavitation plate allows the prop to run on the water’s surface when it is adjusted to match the boat - the company provides shims and instructions. That is combined with an adjustable Versa Mount transom mount that keeps the motor parallel with the boat even when turning and can be adjusted for inboard or outboard mounting.
“When it’s up and running, you want (the prop) at the surface of water for ease of handling. It’s faster, you hit less things and if you do hit something, it releases easily,” Gilk says.
Another patented part, the Revo-Clean, prevents weeds, fishing line and debris from wrecking seals and bearings. Sealed with a cap, a reverse spiral groove machined in the driveshaft continuously augers out anything trying to work its way into the bearing housing.
The SWOMP series comes with motors as small as 3 hp. all the way up to 40 hp. The 23 hp. model for $3,350 is one of the most popular, Gilk says.
For DIYers who have their own motors, Backwater offers kits starting at $950 that take about an hour to assemble.
“We’ve taken an age-old idea and made it current,” Gilk, noting that to really appreciate the unique motor readers need to see videos at the company’s website.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Backwater Inc., 40325 Co. Rd. 11, Freeport, Minn. 56331 (ph 320 266-0797; www.backwaterinc.com; info@backwaterinc.com).
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Shallow Water Motor ENGINES Backwater Inc says its shallow water motors will power you through cattails reeds and shallow bodies of water that are typically not navigable That’s something waterfowl hunters fishermen and trappers can appreciate as well as rescue workers With six U S patents the Minnesota company also says its SWOMP Sand Weeds Obstacles Mud Propulsion series motors are safe fast and built to last The style is similar to motors and props that veterans saw in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War says Jake Gilk son of Arlon Gilk who developed the design with engineer Larry Hoeschen But the U S -made SWOMP has features that set new standards for long tail mud motors “The visible difference that sets ours apart is the frame design The DOM tubular frame filled with marine-grade foam adds a lot of strength minimizes vibration and looks better as well ” Gilk says “It is powder-coated and we also do hot-dipped galvanized and hot-coated frames for salt water “We have sold our props to farmers who have used them to stir their manure pits ” he adds “The props are built very strong out of stainless steel to withstand taking hits in the shallow water so they are plenty strong to stir manure ” Operation-wise Backwater’s Surface Tracer cavitation plate allows the prop to run on the water’s surface when it is adjusted to match the boat - the company provides shims and instructions That is combined with an adjustable Versa Mount transom mount that keeps the motor parallel with the boat even when turning and can be adjusted for inboard or outboard mounting “When it’s up and running you want the prop at the surface of water for ease of handling It’s faster you hit less things and if you do hit something it releases easily ” Gilk says Another patented part the Revo-Clean prevents weeds fishing line and debris from wrecking seals and bearings Sealed with a cap a reverse spiral groove machined in the driveshaft continuously augers out anything trying to work its way into the bearing housing The SWOMP series comes with motors as small as 3 hp all the way up to 40 hp The 23 hp model for $3 350 is one of the most popular Gilk says For DIYers who have their own motors Backwater offers kits starting at $950 that take about an hour to assemble “We’ve taken an age-old idea and made it current ” Gilk noting that to really appreciate the unique motor readers need to see videos at the company’s website Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Backwater Inc 40325 Co Rd 11 Freeport Minn 56331 ph 320 266-0797; www backwaterinc com; info@backwaterinc com
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