Rob_L
Member
Since I'm new to the forum, I'll start off with greetings and thanks for the valuable information I've already gleaned from all those who take the time to post and share their knowlege and experience.
Now, to the question... after almost 40 years of sailing, I've recently purchased a Nimble Vagabond. The boat, built in 1991, has been extremely well cared for and came with a new (2011, 50 hr) Suzuki 50hp four-stroke. The one thing I don't like is the battery situation I inherited. The stock battery location is a bit tight - inside the small starboard helm console with a tall, narrow door. The electrical panel is in the helm/aft side of this console and inside is/was a near-new flooded marine dual-purpose battery on a battery pad without a box. This makes me very nervous as there is no way to contain electrolyte spills and the space is just a bit too narrow for a box that would fit the battery. (The opening is only 7" wide and the battery touches the sides going in.) I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject but still have that nagging feeling deep in my gut when trying to choose a battery technology. Although Suzuki recommends against using a "sealed" battery with this motor, the folks at Optima told me that a dual-purpose Blue Top (27M or 31M) would work just fine. The other option is to enlarge the opening in the console (the access door should overlap and hide the trimmed edge) enough to fit in a battery box for the flooded battery. Either battery would meet the requirements for cranking the motor and running the few electrics on board (a small Garmin GPS chart plotter, marine VHF, running and anchor lights, two interior lights, and one small electric fan - this is cruising on a shoe-string!).
With all this said, I would greatly value your thoughts on the options available to me. Running a battery cable to the port console for a second battery for the house would be difficult as there is no bilge. The boat will probably be stored on the trailer (either at the house or near the lake) and used a couple of times a months year-round. One or two nights would be the maximum time spent out with day cruises most of the time and I'm prepared to haul the battery home for charging and maintenance.
Thanks!
Rob
Now, to the question... after almost 40 years of sailing, I've recently purchased a Nimble Vagabond. The boat, built in 1991, has been extremely well cared for and came with a new (2011, 50 hr) Suzuki 50hp four-stroke. The one thing I don't like is the battery situation I inherited. The stock battery location is a bit tight - inside the small starboard helm console with a tall, narrow door. The electrical panel is in the helm/aft side of this console and inside is/was a near-new flooded marine dual-purpose battery on a battery pad without a box. This makes me very nervous as there is no way to contain electrolyte spills and the space is just a bit too narrow for a box that would fit the battery. (The opening is only 7" wide and the battery touches the sides going in.) I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject but still have that nagging feeling deep in my gut when trying to choose a battery technology. Although Suzuki recommends against using a "sealed" battery with this motor, the folks at Optima told me that a dual-purpose Blue Top (27M or 31M) would work just fine. The other option is to enlarge the opening in the console (the access door should overlap and hide the trimmed edge) enough to fit in a battery box for the flooded battery. Either battery would meet the requirements for cranking the motor and running the few electrics on board (a small Garmin GPS chart plotter, marine VHF, running and anchor lights, two interior lights, and one small electric fan - this is cruising on a shoe-string!).
With all this said, I would greatly value your thoughts on the options available to me. Running a battery cable to the port console for a second battery for the house would be difficult as there is no bilge. The boat will probably be stored on the trailer (either at the house or near the lake) and used a couple of times a months year-round. One or two nights would be the maximum time spent out with day cruises most of the time and I'm prepared to haul the battery home for charging and maintenance.
Thanks!
Rob