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Old 08-15-2008, 08:46 AM   #14
BroadHopper
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Talking Nahhhhh

It is a bowrider. It's not a GFBL boat.

Most boats have one battery. I was told by a reliable mechanic that the battery of choice are usually a marine starter battery. They will not last long if the bilge pump is on continously. Lots of boat have debris in the bilge. Often he will find debris clogging the pump or holding the bilge switch open.

It is important that the bilge is clean. If you are leaving your boat in the water you should at least get a dual purpose marine battery. Get a smart charger that can 'desulfer' your battery at least every winter.

I was also told that those with dual batteries setup are also vulnerable. The automatic bilge pump switch is usually wired to one battery. There will always be juice to the bilge pump when the battery switch is off. If that battery is charged.

On the 'Higher end' boats. The bilge pump switch in the cockpit is usually connected to the battery switch. If the bilge pump is not working because it drained battery one, for instance, you can turn the battery switch to battery two and turn on the bilge switch. Something to think about when you see a boat listing because the bilge pump is not working.

Here's to Happy Boating!
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Last edited by BroadHopper; 08-15-2008 at 08:48 AM. Reason: clarification
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