Battery Question on 2001 DC 215 Osprey Sport

[AquaBill]

Hey all, just bought a 2001 dual council 215 osprey sport.  It only has one battery and i am contiplating adding a second or just getting a bigger battery.  Has anyone ran this boat on 1 battery and has it been ok, I am a little concered with running the live well, radio and fish finder off of the same battery that I will need to crank the boat to head back in. Thanks for your help.

Bill

[flounderpounder225]

I ran my last boat, a 21 Chris Craft Cuddy on one battery, but I always kept it charged and in good condition, but looking back, it's nice to have 2 on a selector switch.

[AquaBill]

Thanks, my previous boat had 2 batteries on a switch and was much smaller.  That is what is making me a bit nervous, but I am all for saving the money if one battery does the trick.

[seabob4]

Bill,
One thing you can do, if you don't want to go through the expense and effort of installing  second batt, a batt switch, and the cabling, is simply carry a good, relatively new batt with you when you head out.  Stick it inside the port console, if you have any starting issues, just swap it out for the start batt and off you go.  Keep it on the trickle charger at home...

[flounderpounder225]

Bill,
One thing you can do, if you don't want to go through the expense and effort of installing  second batt, a batt switch, and the cabling, is simply carry a good, relatively new batt with you when you head out.  Stick it inside the port console, if you have any starting issues, just swap it out for the start batt and off you go.  Keep it on the trickle charger at home...

True, even one of those jump packs would work..

[AquaBill]

Thanks Bob that is a great idea, I am getting an estimate to install a second battery and switch, but I have a feeling it is going to be costly so I might buy a bigger battery and use the current one as a backup as you suggested.

[seabob4]

One thing about a lot of boats is that adding a second batt in a permanent installation can be a real PITA as many boat designers don't take into account a second, or even third batt.  The Action Craft I have at the house right now, I will be installing 5 batts inside the console...that's gonna be fun!!