An often overlooked part of boat upkeep is doing the proper maintenance on a boat battery. It's easy to remember to fuel up the ship or clean up obvious messes. But what about the valuable electronics system that helps your vessel dart around on the open water? Taking the time to do proper boat battery maintenance can help facilitate smooth boating experiences, extend the life of the battery, and reduce the time and money you have to spend on repairs. Below we've gathered up some beginner's tips for boat battery maintenance. If you want more strategies or want to check out boats for sale, head over to Gordon Bay Marine. You will find us in MacTier, Ontario. We also proudly serve those in Toronto and Muskoka, Ontario.
The Right Boat Battery
A great place to start is ensuring that you are using the right boat battery, which can drastically affect your boat's performance. There are deep-cycle models, starting or cranking models, and dual-purpose. Spend some time thinking about what best suits your vessel and your needs, then get the right boat battery. Once you've installed the ideal boat battery, mark the date of installation. This helps you easily know the age of the battery, which makes replacing it due to old age easier to remember.
Proper Storage
If you won't be using your boat for a long period of time, make sure you store it properly. Improper storage can easily result in battery issues that can be severe enough to require buying a new battery.
Before you store your boat battery, be sure to give it a good and thorough clean. If you can, store it somewhere that is dry and temperature-controlled. Try to ensure it is fully charged before putting it away. These simple steps can help make a difference when you go to use the boat battery for the first time post-storage.
Proper Cleaning
Cleaning is an important part of boat battery health. If you ever notice your boat battery not performing as usual, a great place to start investigating is the corrosion levels. Corrosion that occurs over time can affect the performance. Just use a solution of baking soda and water to clear it away. Once you clean the posts, you can use dielectric grease to grease the posts.
Proper Recharging
Your boat battery is different than your car battery. Your commuter vehicle's batter is designed to be used on a daily basis and their batteries are made to require minimal upkeep. It's unlikely you will use your boat battery every day and these batteries are not designed for that. It's helpful to recharge your battery often - even as often as after every voyage on the water. Be sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure you are using the ideal charger to match your boat battery.
We hope you found these tips helpful. Remember you can always stop by Gordon Bay Marine and ask our expert staff about boat maintenance and get even more information. If you are looking to invest in a boat, check out our wide selection of models. We carry boats to suit a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. If you aren't sure what you want, our friendly staff can help. Tell us your price point, how many passengers you want to accommodate, your boating experience level, and any special features you'd like. We can then make tailored suggestions about the ideal models for your family. Our dealership is located in MacTier, Ontario. We also proudly serve those throughout Toronto and Muskoka, Ontario. Stop by and visit today!