Calif Bill wrote:
"Eisboch" wrote in message
...
"Boater" wrote in message
...

I keep my Parker batteries on the lower shelf of my garage workbench in
the winter. Every month, I hook them up to my auto shut-off charger on
its low amp setting and top them up. I got five years out of a pair of
batteries on the first Yo Ho that way, and they were still good when I
sold that boat.

I don't think I'd consider 5 year old batteries in a boat to be in good
shape regardless of how
well they were cared for. Don't like surprises.

Eisboch

Agree completely. Wife's car was slow starting. Was going to get the
battery tested and when I looked at the battery was 6 years old. Surprized
me that it lasted that long. Got a replacement battery and engine starts
easy now.



If you don't use your boat often, or never go far from the dock, you
really don't need to worry about having a 5 yr old battery. If the
battery fails, you just paddle back to the dock. As Harry stated, in 5
yrs he put on less than 125 hrs on the engine because he would always
fish less than 15 min. from shore.

I automatically replace my auto battery after 5 yrs, and that is used
daily.