The Importance of Boat Battery Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential if you want your boat to last. The battery is an often overlooked yet vital part of your vessel that requires special attention. After all, you'll need a reliable battery to operate your boat. That is why the experts at Tommy’s Boats have created this guide to boat battery maintenance.

Take Steps to Make It Last Longer

You can extend the lifespan of your boat battery by keeping it fully charged as much as possible. Avoid disconnecting it from the maintenance charger. This step alone can raise its lifespan from three or four years up to six years. You also want to perform routine tests every few weeks. This will help prevent a situation in which the battery dies and leaves you stranded while you are out on the water.

Jumpstart It Correctly

If you fail to jumpstart your battery correctly, you could ruin it. Fortunately, the process of jumpstarting a boat battery is very similar to the process of jumpstarting a car battery. The most important thing to remember is that you need sufficient ventilation before connecting the battery to the jumper cables. Before jumping, look for signs of fuel flames, which can often be found when the boat is stored in a confined space.

Know Why Boat Batteries Fail

It is also important that boat owners understand why boat batteries fail in the first place. If you have a lead acid battery, it can fail due to too much exposure to heat. A battery’s lifespan can also be affected by deep cycling, which is when a battery is discharged of most of its capacity. When your battery is allowed to run flat, it can cause damage in the form of sulfation. In order to avoid this, make sure that you recharge your battery as soon as possible if it becomes flat.

If your battery dies while you are out on the water, you will be left with few options to fix it. As a result, it is best that you do what you can to prevent this scenario from occurring in the first place. For example, if your battery is cold, warm it up before you set out. Always keep a jump pack on your boat so that you can restart it should the worst occur.

We here at Tommy’s Boats hope these tips help you have a safe and fun day out on the water. Come visit us at one of our dealerships and view our selection of new and pre-owned boats. With sixteen locations across the US, including four in California and three in Michigan, you are sure to be able to find one near you. We also offer servicing, parts, rentals, boat customization, financing, brokerage, trade-ins, and storage. We hope to see you soon!