new to the boating world!!!

[1980celeb]

this friday i will be bringing my first boat home! ive never owned a boat before but have operated one. the boat is a 1980 celebrity, shes 18ft, has a 305merc in/out with merc outdrive. some punk kids stole the battery out of it (the guy said he used car batteries.) its guna be a family boat used for tubing, fishing ect ect.. the boat is currently winterized.... im guna throw out a couple questions to you all and see if i cant learn some things.....
1. with the battery out, do i need a marine grade battery or will a auto battery do the trick?
2. after i un-winterize?? the boat whats the process of getting it running and on the water
if anyone has any other pointers feel free to shoot them my way!
thanks

 

[proshadetree]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

I use automotive battery for starting mine. Deep cycle marine for accessories. All my boats have two batteries. Change oil, filters, check bellows,gimbal,u-joints and replace impeller. Look for rot in transom floor and stringers before you do much. 1980 isnt new and people are rebuilding mid nineties boats here

 

[1980celeb]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

thanks! the trailor has been serviced(got paper work), all the decking has been re-done (he has pictures of the process) the boat has been stored indoors. ill post pictures on friday

 

[BTMCB]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

Welcome and Congrats! Make sure you have all the required and necessary safety equipment on board once you have her up and running and take the maiden voyage. Good luck, be safe and enjoy!

 

[proshadetree]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

If you can verify all mechanical are in good shape second the safety items and fun

 

[1980celeb]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

thanks a lot! its coming with life vests, just not the best ones. i already have some decent ones on the way(ebay). i have a couple fire extinguishers already, and a flag lol

 

[Chris-R]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

Welcome to the forum. I still remember my first boat albeit a few decades ago. I'm sure you and your family are going to have a great time.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

Typically, for a single engine boat you will run two batteries as noted in the posts above - one starting battery (like your car), and one "house" battery. The starting battery is all about maximum amperage to turn the starter. The house battery is a deep cycle which is designed to run your stereo and accessories while on the hook - and run it to nearly empty without damage to the battery. Depending on what accessories you are planning on using, and how long you plan on using them, there are several "non-car" battery options for a house battery. On my new boat I have a lot of extra "stuff" that sucks up juice - fresh water pump, stereo, cabin lighting, fridge, microwave, etc. As such I put in a BIG house battery similar to what you might find in an RV. I also have two starting batteries, one for each engine. On my last boat, a 25' Cobalt bowrider, I ran two dual purpose batteries. They were sort of the best of both worlds, but also kind of a compromise. Anyway, I never had a problem starting my 7.4 with them. Hope that helps.

 

[swl]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

For starting the engine a car battery works fine. Just get one with the most CCA that will still fit where it needs to on your boat. I have a 18 foot open bow that I attached a 55lb trolling motor on the bow for fishing. The TM has its own deep cycle battery. Everything else goes to the starting battery (radio,sonar)

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

you might want to try a boating safety course. If if you first boat you deffinatly want to do that. i did it it took me two days online. It make you read a few things and take a quiz on it really good to give you a head start on learing about your boat and boating rules. http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.asp try that out it will take a bit but worth all the knowlege you get from it.

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: new to the boating world!!!

welcome aboard!

Check out the sticky in the I/O repair and engine maintenance section: "MUST HAVE technical information for DIYers"

LOADS of good information is available right there including "summerizing your winterized boat."