Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

We were taking a friend out on the lake today and she was going to be here at 11:30 this am. Uncovered the boat at 10:00am and brought 2 can of gas to the dock. Put the key in and battery said 11 volts but when I turned it, nobbody was home. Not even a click. Came up to the house and got my voltmeter and battery read 12.4v but turn the key and maybe 4.0v. Soooo, went to Wally World and picked up a new one and the day was saved (although a little late). The funny thing was I was telling my wife that the battery was 6 yrs old and I wanted to replace it soon. Today was soon.

Better late than never. Glad you got out there.

Problems on the dock are certainly better than problems in the middle of the lake!

PlaynDoc wrote:Problems on the dock are certainly better than problems in the middle of the lake!

Which is why we don't carry jumper cables, or jump other boats.

It amazes me how many people want a jump at the ramp, because the boat won't start. They eventually find someone to jump start them, and an hour later, they're calling for help in the middle of the lake.

If it won't start at the ramp, find out why and fix it before turning an inconvenience into an emergency.

6 years is really good for a battery, and as others have said, at least it wasn't in the middle of the lake.

BoatCop wrote:

PlaynDoc wrote:Problems on the dock are certainly better than problems in the middle of the lake!

Which is why we don't carry jumper cables, or jump other boats.

It amazes me how many people want a jump at the ramp, because the boat won't start. They eventually find someone to jump start them, and an hour later, they're calling for help in the middle of the lake.

If it won't start at the ramp, find out why and fix it before turning an inconvenience into an emergency.

Mush wisdom in that post BoatCop.

Unloading last Saturday and for some reason I told the wife to start the motor (steep ramp water). I usually just bump the boat off the trailer when the water is deep enough and she starts it. Nothing. The stereo had been left on. Got the 2nd battery out of my diesel and we were on the way. I have an extra marine battery and that is going with me from now on.

I always ALWAYS A L W A Y S start the motor in my driveway before I leave for the lake, and start it again in the parking lot before I launch it When we leave it in the water at the Vacation house we have power at boat slips. Boat is plugged into a 'Battery Buddy'. We also change the battery in the boat and PWC's every 3rd year. HATE getting stranded on the lake.

Well I don't start mine in the driveway or in the parking lot, but when we back down the ramp, once the motor's in the water I crank her up ---- before we undo the strap.... I"ve only been boating 2 years now, but one of the first lessons I got from my son who kind tutored me on do's and don'ts... was don't unhook that strap until you know you've got power... as far as battery life. I've kinda wondered how long to go.... I'm pretty sure next spring I'll buy one of those agm marine batterys at Sears... but wow, they are expensive.....

I've been lucky so far, had to change it out last summer in the beginning of the season because it wouldn't hold a charge. I've read some of the guys discussing solar battery chargers. Any recommendations?

I keep one of those 12 volt battery jump starters on the boat, just incase we wind up listening to the radio to long and it dont start. JT

pond tuuunes wrote:I keep one of those 12 volt battery jump starters on the boat, just incase we wind up listening to the radio to long and it dont start. JT

Yep, thats exactly what we do, and in the winter it goes in the wifes Expedition, she has used it twice to help out co-workers.

My little 2200 watt generator has a 12v battery charger outlet rated at 15a max. It won't jump start the motor, but it will charge a flat battery enough to fire the motor pretty quick.

screwball wrote:I always ALWAYS A L W A Y S start the motor in my driveway before I leave for the lake, and start it again in the parking lot before I launch it When we leave it in the water at the Vacation house we have power at boat slips. Boat is plugged into a 'Battery Buddy'. We also change the battery in the boat and PWC's every 3rd year. HATE getting stranded on the lake.

When I was trailering that's what I did. Remember when I was a kid, when we were headed to Fla, my uncle would have the car checked out oil change etc. Now folks just jump in the car an take off. Guess that is a testament to how much better car are now especially tires. Hardly ever see folks changing a blow out now. It was pretty common back then.

doc

I've been keeping a Battery Tender on my Waverunner battery in the winter, and they work great. I just got tired of buying an expensive new battery every year or so, and maintained batteries last substantially longer.

My 2 stoke outboard has only had about 3 batteries in 26 years. 2 strokes take very little juice to turnover and start. Since I don't use a trolling motor, a car battery seems to last much longer and costs far less than a deep charge marine battery.