Boat Battery Maintenance Guide

An often-ignored aspect of boat maintenance is taking care of the battery. It's easy to remember to fuel up the craft or clean up the mess, but what about the electrical system that helps your vessel cruise 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.

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 cleaning. 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.

Cleaning

Cleaning is an important part of ensuring the proper functioning of the battery. If you ever notice your boat battery not performing as usual, a great place to start investigating is checking the corrosion levels. Corrosion that occurs over time can affect 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.

Recharging

Your boat battery is different than that of your car. Your commuter vehicle's battery is designed to be used on a daily basis and their batteries are made to require minimal upkeep. It's unlikely that 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.

Regular Inspection

Get in the habit of regularly checking your boat’s battery to ensure that it is functioning properly. Test the battery cells with a hydrometer, a device that measures the density of the electrolytes compared to the overall weight. A higher weight means that there is a higher state of charge and a denser presence of electrolytes. When you start using the battery, it discharges and will eventually have a lower weight of electrolytes.

We hope you found these tips helpful. Remember you can always stop by Rockingham Boat in Hampstead, NH, and ask our expert staff about boat battery maintenance and get even more information. If you are looking to invest in a boat, check out our wide selection of models. We welcome all those coming from Manchester and Nashua.