Battery Selection for 20' Cruiser

[Imadodgeguy]

I never really made a proper entrance into the forum community here. Just been lurking and popping in with questions about my recent project boat purchase or consideration. I've made some bad cheap-boat purchases in the past couple of years that have ended in parting out the boat or just passing it on due to it being a POS.

I am new to boating and have probably gotten in over my head with a bigger-than-some-might-recommend starter boat, but I kind of think it's about the right size for me and wife. It's in good enough shape that I think it's a keeper. This 1983 Cruiser Inc. Holiday 20 is showing 320 hours on it, 5.7 260 Mercruiser drive. The trailer is in good shape but the lights don't work and surge brake isn't working. It is dry of fluid and it slams back and forth, so thinking I'll just replace it with a new assembly.

Anyway, it is time to select a couple of batteries for this. It has been sitting for about 12 years and the one battery in it is shot and looked kind of small (625 cca). My thought is to have one battery for just starting and one for all the stuff that I might want to use while sitting in the water not running. So it seems that I would need:

1. Starting battery with good cca
2. Deep cycle for the slow drain things (no fridge, heater or ac. I do have sink w/pump. Will be doing the Porta potty like previous owner suggested.)

There is a battery master switch on the dash that gives power to the accessories like lights, I assume?

Any tips and advice is appreciated!

 

[Silvertip]

Batteries are like buckets of electricity -- on a boat you cannot have too large a bucket. For the starting battery look at the tag and select one with the very highest CCA you can find and with dimensions that fit the space available for it. For the deep cycle, again, look for the highjest AH (amp/hour) or RESERVE MINUTE capacity and of a physical size you have room for. Physical sizes are 24, 27, 29 31, etc. (small to larger). Now that you have batteries you need to charge them. An on-board dual bank charger that you plug into shore power when docked will take care of charging needs at the dock. On the water you will need a dual battery isolation/charging system of which there are many. You want those batteries isolated from each other yet you should have the ability to run accessories and start the engine from either or both batteries. Battery selector switches (OFF-BAT1-BOTH-BAT2) is one option. ACR's (automatic charge relay) is another. Due some reading on these options.

 

[garbageguy]

...Any tips and advice is appreciated!

Some pictures may help you get more tips and advice - and boat pictures are the best. Can't wait to see your boat!

You gave some info on the trailer, and spending $ on batteries. How's the boat hull, engine, and drive systems? My advice would be to make sure it's OK there first - unless your budget allows to fix any of that after the trailer and batteries are set.

 

[Imadodgeguy]

[No message]

 

[Imadodgeguy]

Yes, I need to get a starting battery first so I can run it and change oil, etc. I have one but it is old and I'm not sure it is up to the task of starting. The hull looks great. Are rollers or bunk boards preferred for this kind of boat? Not that I'm going to be changing them anytime soon. I have a ton of good manuals that came with it, so I'll be doing the maintenance as much as possible on the drive and engine.