Pack a Backup Battery

With technology advancing by leaps and bounds in recent years, allowing anglers to pinpoint their location, route, and the best places to find fish, it should come as no surprise that reliable batteries and charging systems are a top priority. Many boaters rely on GPS, fish finder technology and VHF radios for communication; none of this would be possible without the juice required to power the whole enterprise.

While the above features could be classified as luxuries, there are several functional parts of the boat that also need battery power – namely electronic fuel injection systems. As such, Yamaha recommends that boaters bring two battery systems onboard. One should be used as the main power source for starting the engine, and the other should be dedicated to the specialized electrical devices.

By limiting yourself to a single battery system, you run the risk of sapping it part-way through your trip. Just as you should always bring bulk motor oil along for lengthy voyages, you should also be prepared in case of battery problems. Bring a backup or two, and you can work on installing it into the system as needed. Bear in mind that deep-cycle batteries are suited for energizing the electrical system as they are more dependable over an extended period of time than cranking batteries.