Boat Battery Maintenance Tips
Whenever you buy a boat, you’ll realize that there are a lot of responsibilities that boat owners should take seriously or they’ll risk damaging their crafts. The more you care for your investment, the better returns it’ll give you.
One part of your boat that needs your attention is the battery. If the battery ends up developing faults, you might find yourself stuck out on the water, waiting for someone to tow you back.
At Jet Ski of Miami, we know how important it is to take care of your boat battery, which is why we’ve compiled the following tips for you.
To find out more or to check out some top quality boats for sale in Miami, visit us at our dealership and we’ll give you a full tour of our inventory. You can also take advantage of our parts and service options to whip your old boat into new shape! We welcome all our patrons from Hialeah.
Battery Problem After Storage
Sometimes your boat gets put away for a few months if the weather is bad or you have other commitments you can’t ignore. When you take your boat out of storage, you can sometimes encounter battery issues. Did you properly store the battery? Ask yourself:
- 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?
All of the above can lead to poor battery health or even a completely dead battery by the time you’re ready to hit the water again. Unfortunately, at this point, you might just need to buy a new battery for your boat, but take notes for this next winter so you can properly prepare.
Cleaning the Battery
One of the easiest ways to maintain good battery health is to regularly clean the battery. You can clear away any corrosion by using a mixture of baking soda and water. This has the added benefit of improving the vessel’s performance. In fact, if you notice your motor isn’t running the way it should, consider checking the posts for corrosion first. Lightly grease the posts after they’re clean using dielectric grease.
The Right Battery
One way to get good performance from your battery is to ensure you have the right one for your needs. Marine batteries, in particular, offer a few different selections to fit varying 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.
Think about your motor and what you’ll be doing so you can get a battery that’s right for your boat. If you’re unsure about the right battery for your boat, come on down to Jet Ski of Miami and have a chat with our helpful staff. After you’ve chosen the right battery and installed it, mark the date of installation, so you know how old your battery is.
Recharge After Every Use
Car and boat batteries are different from each other because they are built for different frequency of use. Cars are designed to be used on a daily basis so their battery system requires minimal upkeep. You probably won’t use your boat on a daily basis, 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. Make sure you check manufacturer recommendations to buy the right charger to match your battery.
We hope these tips help you take better care of your battery. Sometimes, despite all our precautions, boats can develop problems that need expert care. If you need professional help, visit Jet Ski of Miami and let our trained technicians fix the problem for you. If you’re still looking for the perfect boat for sale, we’ll give you a tour of the models we have in stock. We’re here for all the boating needs of our clients from Miami and Hialeah.