Just bought a 15' boat with 15hp Evinrude. Just for wife and I to go on small lakes in our area. My thinking is I probably will put a battery in it as motor has electric start, and pull start. Do you leave battery in boat or should you take it out and recharge? Thanls
Fishing Boat
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Squarebutt
Member
As long as it's close to home and within range of an electric outlet, leave it on board. A decent battery should hold a charge from week to week, but a plug-in battery tender will keep it up in long-term storage. You can also install a switch to isolate it from the motor to keep it from bleeding off current while it's parked.
Tyrod
Member
Definition of a boat: A hole in the water into which you pour money.
SailDesign
Member
pittpa
Member
2 V-8 outboards? Talk about getting away. The fish would tell stories about you.
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DeathGrip
US Veteran
My neighbor has a small boat and uses a solar battery charger.
He swears by it.
Then again we are The Sunshine State. YMMV.
He swears by it.
Then again we are The Sunshine State. YMMV.
fat tom
Absent Comrade
Frank46
US Veteran
Make sure that you have a deep cycle marine battery. They are made to run down and then recharged. Don't even try that with a regular car battery. Something about the plates being heavier and thicker. i usually had two batteries. one stayed on board. Then prior to going fishing I'd swap the fresh charged one for the one on the boat. I had a small bilge pump to pump out the water if and when it rained. Mine was a 15 footer with 40 hp johnson. Frank
Like others have said, it depends on how long it's going to be sitting, and how often you're going to be using it. If it's just sitting in your driveway, I would disconnect the battery (especially if it has an automatic bilge pump, which it shouldn't, given the size) and pull the drain plug to prevent rainwater from accumulating.
Btw, checking that the drain plug is inserted should be part of your launch procedure.
Don't forget trailer maintenance, either! Taking care of a small, simple boat is fairly straightforward, which is what's so nice about them. You can do all the engine and lower unit maintenance yourself with just a couple common tools. But no matter how small the boat, all trailers need maintenance. Be sure to check air pressure in the tires regularly.
Btw, checking that the drain plug is inserted should be part of your launch procedure.
Don't forget trailer maintenance, either! Taking care of a small, simple boat is fairly straightforward, which is what's so nice about them. You can do all the engine and lower unit maintenance yourself with just a couple common tools. But no matter how small the boat, all trailers need maintenance. Be sure to check air pressure in the tires regularly.
wingriderz
Member
Deep cycle battery if that battery is used only for cranking engine the charging system on engine should keep it charged
Can it be started with just the pull rope without damaging anything? I've never owned one that had both. If it can be, that's what I'd do. No sense in lugging around a heavy battery if you don't need to. A 15 hp should start quite easily with just a pull or two on the starter rope. Small boat, small motor means space is limited and weight is important.
If not, or if you just want the electric start, a deep cycle marine battery should start it for a LONG time without additional charging.
If not, or if you just want the electric start, a deep cycle marine battery should start it for a LONG time without additional charging.
Depends how often you will use it. If it's used at least once a month just leave it alone. It should retain enough charge to get you started. If you use it less frequently keep an automatic trickle charger attached. I used to keep mine plugged in when I had it because I used it pretty infrequently living hundreds of miles from the nearest water. Sold it for the same reason . . . well, that and I needed money at the time.
And, yes, a marine battery is a must. A car battery will work, but it won't last very long at all.
And, yes, a marine battery is a must. A car battery will work, but it won't last very long at all.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
Trolling Motor? can you use the same battery? My brother had a 16' pontoon for the small lake near us 10HP Limit, had two batteries and the gas motor would recharge both. The trolling motor did all the maneuvering in the coves.
In 1962 my uncle came home from the Marines and taught me to fish. 1) Find fishing hole with very large shade tree, 2) get behind the tree, 3) toss hand grenade in fishing hole! the fish come right to you and are already gutted!
If I can't fish the way my uncle taught me to, I'm not going! (My other uncle taught my brother to fish, very boring!)
Ivan
In 1962 my uncle came home from the Marines and taught me to fish. 1) Find fishing hole with very large shade tree, 2) get behind the tree, 3) toss hand grenade in fishing hole! the fish come right to you and are already gutted!
If I can't fish the way my uncle taught me to, I'm not going! (My other uncle taught my brother to fish, very boring!)
Ivan
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
I have an old ugly flat bottom john boat, a 16 ft. that I call Ole Blue. I bought it (very used) on Feb 5, 1987, 30 + years ago. No outboard, I sold it right after I got the boat, it has 2 trolling motors. A foot control on the front and a transom mount on the rear, for lake fishing.
It's old like me, but it is absolutely filled with great memories. Took my girls fishing, and my best friend and wife fishing. Took a lot of pictures of various friends and acquaintances fishing with me, so I can look at the pictures and think of the good times. I recon that is what a boat is for.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
It's old like me, but it is absolutely filled with great memories. Took my girls fishing, and my best friend and wife fishing. Took a lot of pictures of various friends and acquaintances fishing with me, so I can look at the pictures and think of the good times. I recon that is what a boat is for.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
rick1085
Member
SC_Mike
Member
If you put a trolling motor in it, then yes hook the engine up to a deep cycle battery and go. If no trolling motor, its up to you.
IIRC, if it's got a electric starter it also has an alternator so it should charge when it's running. If not get a battery tender, not a charger and plug it in when not in use. You may also want to look into getting an adapter harness to charge it from your tow vehicles alternator as you travel to and fro.
Congratulations on your new boat captain.
IIRC, if it's got a electric starter it also has an alternator so it should charge when it's running. If not get a battery tender, not a charger and plug it in when not in use. You may also want to look into getting an adapter harness to charge it from your tow vehicles alternator as you travel to and fro.
Congratulations on your new boat captain.
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VERY IMPORTANT TIP ...
Remember to remove tie downs holding boat to trailer BEFORE launching.
Lots of people got a big laugh a few years ago when this happened.
The "captain" of the boat could only wish that the episode be forgotten.
Gent was in boat and kept motioning girl friend to keep backing because boat was not floating off of trailer.
When water started running in under the car door she stopped backing and pulled forward.
They figured out what the problem was and did not launch. Quickly left the ramp in shame.
I was not there to see it. No know video of it.
Told to me by the now ex girl friend.
Bekeart
Remember to remove tie downs holding boat to trailer BEFORE launching.
Lots of people got a big laugh a few years ago when this happened.
The "captain" of the boat could only wish that the episode be forgotten.
Gent was in boat and kept motioning girl friend to keep backing because boat was not floating off of trailer.
When water started running in under the car door she stopped backing and pulled forward.
They figured out what the problem was and did not launch. Quickly left the ramp in shame.
I was not there to see it. No know video of it.
Told to me by the now ex girl friend.
Bekeart
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SailDesign
Member
Google "How not to launch a boat" - press the "video" button, relax for hours with similar stuff. I hope none of you folks are in there....
SC_Mike
Member
Make sure the plug is in. You won't forget but one time...
Don't ask.
Don't ask.
