Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

[BarryBob]

If you tuned into my previous thread, I asked folks for advice and a checklist.<br /><br />Last Saturday I brought the family to the small lake in our town on Sunday am. A nice quiet time where I could take my time with the basics.<br /><br />I got the boat in the water and ther family in the boat with no mishaps. Turned the key and "errrr...errr" dead battery. It was run three weeks ago and has a new battery as of last year.<br /><br />Instead of panicking, I asked a bass boat guy who was watching the whole thing about the safety of jump-starting the boat with my truck. He helped and I pulled my truck forward down to the water and started the thing no problem. Try that during a busy day at the ramp! He was great as well.<br /><br />Smooth boating from there. I opted to winch it instead of powerloading - why ask for trouble on my first day.<br /><br />Soooooo, I plan to get a battery charger. Should I get the battery pack with handle and cables? Can I use it to trickle-charge the night before?<br /><br />Next time out I'll check my Volt Gauge to see if the alternator is charging. Maybe I left something on.<br /><br />Oh yeah - I DID NOT CHECK THE BILGE PLUG!!! Once in the water, I remembered I didn't check but I leave it in anyway. Figures...<br /><br />Thanks for all the advice!<br /><br />Barry Bob

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

You should get a good charger that will trickle overnight, and shut itself off when battery reaches full charge so you don't overcharge. Also, one thing I do the morning I am going to the ramp is to just crank the motor for a couple seconds. It won't start cause the bulb isn't primed, and I can tell by the speed the motor is cranking that the battery is fine and all is working. It saves what happened to you from happening to me. Also, if it has been a few weeks since I used the boat, I'll run it on muffs the day before for a little while just to make sure. I view it as pay homage to the boat gods, otherwise they will strike my puny mortal self down at the ramp. Good luck...

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

Good show, BB. I agree that a step charger is worth the extra money. You can hook it up and it takes care of itself. I'm the nervous type myself, so I always run my motor on muffs for at least 5 minutes before going to the ramp to make sure it runs and thermos are going to open. Never make the same mistake twice, but have made them all once.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

BB<br />I have had good luck with this Schumacher battery charger.<br /> http://www.batterychargers.com/details.cfm?prodid=SE-5212A&catid=13 <br /><br />I paid about $36 at a auto parts chain.<br /><br />Walmart also sells Schumacher battery chargers under a different (their) brand name.<br /><br />Marty

 

[magster65]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

Well done. You asked, planned and were educated enough to go for a days yachting. I wish all the boaters prepared so well, my insurance would be a lot cheaper.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

Barry Bob:<br /><br />Good show and have fun...that what it's all about. Sounds like you took the day in stride. My best companion last year was a rechargeable battery pack like you described...mine charges AC or DC so I could charge it on the way to the water while driving in my truck...very cool! Also, the $30 I spent for a reasonably good charger was another prudent move.<br /><br />We've all had bad days at the ramp, some of us more than others. Some of the most enjoyable days of my life have been spent watching others launch and load, recognizing all the time that any one of the mishaps could easiliy have been me. I have an old friend who grew up on an island 5 miles off the coast of New England, he has over 50 years experience boating on oceans and lakes. Just a few years ago he launched a 24 footer for the season with his wife on board alone to drive the boat one mile to the marina while he met her with the trailer and tow rig. She never made it...he forgot the bilge plug and down she went. Fortunately, both have a great sense of humor...stuff happens. Good luck!

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

BarryBob :<br /><br />Glad your day out didnt go bad for you. I noticed you said you leave your bilge plug in. Make sure you take it out after boating. If it rains a lot your boat can fill up with water on the trailer and ruin it... Just a heads up....<br /><br />Tallman

 

[jomac]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

I use a small automatic maintence charger darn thing is no bigger than the palm hand stays plug in 24-7-365 Ive had the same batterys going on 5 yrs now and like to others said i also fire the motor off before heading to the water Good going BB

 

[Boatist]

Re: Ramp Basics - My First Day Performance

BarryBob<br />Sounds like you had a good day on the water. Some of the worst days will be the most fun a day or two after and from then on. <br /><br />I Start my motor with water if it has not run for over 2 month other wise I trust it will start and so far always has. One day at 5AM we were the 6th boat to launch and the first one to start. When I statred the second motor they all though I was rubbing it in but just my habit before shoveing off.<br /><br />I use a 10 AUTOMATIC Schumacher battery charger with a convention and maintenance free setting and charge both batteries thru a battery isolator. I also ran a 12 guage wire up to a plug on front of boat where I hook battery charger up so easy to charge with out taking cover off boat in winter. Also have a 10 guage wire on truck that runs back to my trailer plug and a plug on the trailer where I can book up boat and charge from trucks alternator. Really do not use that cable much but in truck should I need it. I put a 20 amp auto reset circuit breaker on it. On the boat never had a battery that did not last at least 6 years. I do try and remember to charge batteries once a month. Also check water level on battery that I can once or twice a year. On battery charger make sure you get a AUTOMATIC one. It should shut off or reduce the current to zero when voltage reaches about 14.4 volts so will not over charge. I think over charging even with trickle chargers kill almost as many battery as not charging in winter. <br /><br />I never take my plug out either but still carry 3 spares, actually one plugs fish locker and other plugs live well drain and one actual spare. I do cover my boat in winter with a very good sunbrella cover.