On Wed, 21 May 2008 20:32:01 -0400, "Garland Gray II"
wrote:

I hesitate to weigh in on this as I know my limitations regarding
electricity, but this logic makes sense to me: that having a separate
battery close to the windlass to reduce the long run of a large cable
ignores the fact that you will still need to run a fairly large wire to the
battery to carry what may be a large charge to a depleted battery.

wrote in message
...
It is true – my idea was to install separate battery close to
windlass.
It is also true I do not have any battery (bank) yet.
I have only one starting batter – and for now I use it for all my
instruments.
I did install windlass a couple days ago and I’m going to buy
batteries now.
I’m planning to buy two batteries Motomaster Nautilus Deep Cycle
103AmpHour each. The first idea was to add separate starting battery
for windlass only.
Now my question is – it is enough 206 AmpHour bank for my needs.
I know – you will ask – what is my need?
A little bit more info: So far I have UHF Radio, and sailing
instruments plus installed windlass. I have already installed two
battery boxes 8D size – but 8D are very expensive – and I can’t afford
8Ds now.
I have to add also – I built my boat (Spray 36) and after 7 years of
crazy work – I was sailing first time last summer.
If you like to visit my website – please take a look here
www.seagoatonline.com
Thx a lot

Hi Adam,
Hearty congratulations are in order to you and your wife. Having built
my own yacht from scratch I can appreciate what you have done and
achieved. More boat building projects are started than are completed.

Most people do not realise the determination it takes to keep on going
especially when the work at hand is hours of tiresome and boring
sanding.

I was interested to note that your boatshed is almost identical in
construction to the one I used - same blue plastic sheeting and the
same lack of head room underneath. I know well the stooped posture.

Don't worry about not being able to afford more than the basics. The
important thing is to get your boat in the water which you have done.
The rest will come later and you will find yourself adding extra items
as your "minimum" threshold changes. I was happy with, and crossed
oceans for a long time with second hand sails, a depth sounder,
compass and second hand sextant.

As to deep cycle batteries, a retired American friend who sails
between Malaysia and the Philippines picks out the good 6 volt ones
such as Trojan from the discarded ones at marinas and regenerates
them. That's all Bob uses.

regards
Peter