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Boat Battery Maintenance

Dec. 26 2019 Miscellaneous By ___

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Most boat owners know that owning a boat is a big responsibility. Boats require quite a bit of upkeep in order to stay in great shape for years to come. One part of the boat that gets ignored by owners is the battery. Without a functional battery, you won’t be able to enjoy a day out on the water, so you should know how to care for it. 

At H&W Marine Powersports, we know how important the boat battery is, which is why we’ve compiled this list on battery maintenance steps that you can take. If you’re still looking to get a boat for yourself and your family, come on down to our dealerships in Marshall, TX, or Shreveport, LA. We welcome all our patrons from Longview, TX and Bossier City, LA!

Battery Dead After Storage

Sometimes we can’t use our boat for months on end and it ends up waiting in storage for us. When you finally take your boat out, you might find that the battery refuses to work. When that happens, ask yourself some questions:

  • Did I clean it before storage?
  • Did I put it in a dry, temperature-controlled environment?
  • Was it fully charged before storage?
  • Did I leave the battery hooked up to the motor during storage?

If you overlook proper storage, it’ll lead to poor battery health and even a dead battery by the time you take your boat out of storage. If the battery is completely dead, you’ll need to buy a new one.

Cleaning the Battery. 

One real easy way to maintain battery health is to clean it regularly. You can clear away any corrosion with a mixture of baking soda and water, and this will stop poor battery performance. In fact, if you notice your motor isn’t running the way it normally does, then consider checking the posts for corrosion first. Once you’ve cleaned the posts, lightly grease them with dielectric grease.

Getting the Right Battery

This simple step can make a world of a difference in performance! With marine batteries, you’ll find that there are quite a few different kinds that are built to suit different needs. Some vessels come with a trolling motor while others might come with a cranking motor. Some of your options include deep-cycle (a must for trolling motors), starting or cranking models, and dual-purpose models. Think about your motor and what you’ll be doing so you can get a battery that’s right for your boat.

Recharge Regularly

There’s a big difference between how often you use your car battery and your boat battery. Cars are designed for frequent use so their batteries are built to need minimal care. Boats aren’t often built for everyday use, so if you’re relying on your alternator to keep your battery charged, it won’t thank you for it. Recharge your battery after every day on the water, no matter how long the usage lasted.

We hope this guide helps you take better care of your boat battery. Despite care, though, sometimes boat parts will malfunction and require professional care. Get in touch with our service department and we’ll whip your boat into shape in no time! If you’d like to check our inventory of boats for sale, visit H&W Marine Powersports in Marshall or Shreveport, LA. We’re proud to serve our friends from Longview, TX and Bossier City, LA.