Troubleshooting common issues with water witches on boat motors

A water witch on board a motorboat is a device used to locate underground water sources while on the water. It is essentially a dowsing rod specifically designed for use on a boat. Dowsing, or water witching, is an age-old practice used to find water, minerals, or other underground resources by using a divining rod. The water witch device consists of a rod or stick that is held by the operator. The rod is typically made of a lightweight material such as wood or metal, and it is shaped like the letter "Y" or an elongated "L". The operator grasps the upper ends of the rod with their hands, while the lower or longer end of the rod is left free to move.

I have been collecting Waterwitch outboards for some 25+ years, and have done much research to prove that Raymond Loewy had absolutely no hand in the design of the Sears Waterwitch.

The book The Machine Age in America 1918-1941 by Richard Guy Wilson 1986 pages 146-147 devotes a full page photo of a 1936 Waterwitch and lists John R. Using the machinery still present from automobile production, an assembly line was set up to manufacture Waterwitch outboards under a contract with Sears Roebuck.

The operator grasps the upper ends of the rod with their hands, while the lower or longer end of the rod is left free to move. The water witch operates on the belief that the rod can detect the presence of underground water sources. When the operator is above an underground water vein or aquifer, the rod is said to move or point downwards due to some unknown force.

1937 Kissel Water Witch engine

I have always liked those Kissel water witch engines, they have a distinct level of class to their design. The flywheel and ignition plate are simply gorgeous. One day I hope to find one to add to my collection. Thank you for sharing your engine, it sure is a nice one!

MColopy

Subscriber

Attachments

Enginesrus

Registered

I was just wondering what a good wage was back in 1939 ( the washer in the sears catalog), that seems expensive for then. I don't think many folks made $1.00 per hour then.
In 1972 a Boeing machinist starting wage was $4.24 an hour.

Vanman

Subscriber

Back then, many such products were expensive, but customers expected them to be well made and to last.

Sunnybrook

Subscriber

I was just wondering what a good wage was back in 1939 ( the washer in the sears catalog), that seems expensive for then. I don't think many folks made $1.00 per hour then.
In 1972 a Boeing machinist starting wage was $4.24 an hour.

Heard a guy say that technology was expensive and labor cheap.. now labor expensive and technology cheap.

bsatom

Subscriber

Yes, this Kissel Water Witch engine is the brother to the sears Water Witch Outboard motor And I have one also. The Kissel brothers came from Germany and around 1910 started manufacturing the Kissel automobile. It was a handmade car and expensive for the time. The upper class, rich folks were the buyers. When the depression of the early 1930's came the Kissel brothers shut down car manufacturing and turned to making the water Witch engines and other things. Google "Kissel Car" and the history of the Kissel brothers will come up.

London. Victoria and Albert Museum. "Art Deco 1910–1939," March 27–July 20, 2003, unnumbered cat. (pl. 33.10).

This phenomenon is believed to be caused by natural energy forces, electromagnetic fields, or subtle vibrations. While the use of a water witch on board a motorboat may seem unconventional, it can be a helpful tool for boaters who rely on fresh water sources. This is especially true for boaters who venture into remote areas where water sources may be scarce or hard to find. When using a water witch on a motorboat, the operator typically moves slowly across the water's surface, holding the rod in front of them. They allow the rod to move freely, watching for any movements or changes in direction. If the rod dips or points downward, it is believed to indicate the presence of underground water. It is important to note that the effectiveness of water witching or dowsing is highly debated among scientists and skeptics. Many argue that the movement of the rod is simply due to the ideomotor effect, where the subconscious mind causes involuntary movements without the operator's awareness. Regardless of the scientific debate surrounding water witching, some people swear by its effectiveness. They claim to have successfully located water sources using a water witch, even when other methods have failed. In conclusion, a water witch on board a motorboat is a tool used to locate underground water sources while on the water. It operates on the principles of dowsing, using a rod to detect the presence of water. While its effectiveness is highly debated, some boaters find it to be a useful tool for finding fresh water sources when out on the water..

Reviews for "The evolution of water witches: From simple designs to advanced technology"

1. John Doe - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Water witch obtoard mjtor". The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were also poorly developed, leaving me feeling disconnected from their struggles and motivations. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster, with frequent grammatical errors and a lack of descriptive language. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and frustrating read.

2. Jane Smith - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Water witch obtoard mjtor" based on the intriguing title and cover, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, dragging on without any significant events or developments. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the interactions between the characters. I also found the ending to be unsatisfying and lacking in resolution. While there were some interesting concepts, they were not explored in a way that engaged me as a reader.

3. David Johnson - 1 star - "Water witch obtoard mjtor" was a complete letdown. The writing was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, making it difficult to understand and enjoy the story. The plot itself was confusing and disjointed, jumping between different perspectives without clear transitions. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with, leaving me uninterested in their fates. Overall, this book was a struggle to read, and I would not recommend it to others.

4. Emily Wilson - 2 stars - I found "Water witch obtoard mjtor" to be a highly disappointing read. The story lacked a clear direction and failed to fully engage my attention. The writing style was dull and monotonic, with a lack of descriptive language that made it difficult to visualize the scenes. The characters were forgettable and lacked any memorable qualities. While there were some moments of intrigue, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster nature of the book.

5. Michael Thompson - 1 star - I regret picking up "Water witch obtoard mjtor." The writing was amateurish, with numerous typos and grammatical errors that distracted from the reading experience. The plot was confusing and nonsensical, with no clear structure or resolution. The characters felt one-dimensional, lacking any depth or complexity. Overall, this book was a waste of my time and money.

The importance of a properly functioning water witch for boat motor longevity