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samson · 20-03-2011, 23:24

hey guys. just wondering is the average battery bank of a powerboat smaller or larger or about the same as that of the same sized sailboat?

thanks guys and gals
John

capn_billl · 21-03-2011, 13:21

I would say it depends on your power needs and your options for charging. My power boat had no batteries on board except the starting batteries when I bought it. I put in two 105's so I wouldn't have to run the genny all night in the anchorage, (just enough to run the fridge, inverter, and anchor lights).

A sailboat may have to run all shipboard systems on the batteries until it runs the engine to charge them back up. (once per day?)
It has been my experience that sailboats are more reliant on their batteries and have bigger banks, as power boats, (bigger ones), rely more on the AC generator, and shore power.

By the way why would you ask? Battery salesman??? Hate batteries and want to buy boat that doesn't have one??

**Pblais** · 21-03-2011, 13:42

Quote:

It has been my experience that sailboats are more reliant on their batteries and have bigger banks, as power boats, (bigger ones), rely more on the AC generator, and shore power

Not really accurate they usually have bigger battery banks because they have larger boats. Not uncommon to use household fridge and other appliances so require a big inverter at anchor. They also usually have a generator and a 100 amp power cord too.

I think you find folks that anchor a lot have more batteries and maybe a generator too once they get to a certain size. A 36 ft sail boat won't usually have a built in generator but could easily fit on a 36 ft trawler.

Batteries are when the sun goes down and you want to hear the crickets on shore at the anchorage and keep the beer cold too. You don't have to love them to have them.

Sailmonkey · 21-03-2011, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by samson

hey guys. just wondering is the average battery bank of a powerboat smaller or larger or about the same as that of the same sized sailboat?

thanks guys and gals
John

It depends

Seriously though, it all depends on who does what with their boat. I've been on 30' trawlers with 800 AH banks so they could spend days anchored running the sub-zero fridge off of an inverter. I've also been on 30' trawlers with nothing other than a pari of group 27 batteries, one to start the gen, and one to start the main engine.

samson · 21-03-2011, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_billl

By the way why would you ask? Battery salesman??? Hate batteries and want to buy boat that doesn't have one??

none just random questions

Dulcesuenos · 21-03-2011, 17:39

Our Power boat has less power requirements then our sailboat. That being said we carry a genny on our sailboat but not that the powerboat. Both have the exact same dual grp 27's. Would I like more reserve capacity on our sailboat, yes.

Ike · 21-03-2011, 18:37

How many batteries you have, and what type they are depends entirely on your power needs, regardless of whether it is a powerboat or sailboat. What you need to do is an analysis of the needs before determining what or how many batteries you should have.

capn_billl · 23-03-2011, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by samson

none just random questions

Fair enough, I hope we helped.

Mike56 · 14-05-2011, 20:59

It's not the size of batteries that matter.........it's how you use them, at least that's what I tell my wife.

**David M** · 14-05-2011, 21:20

Power boaters like to sit at anchor in peace with their engines and gensets off as well. I have three 8-D's onboard.

Free Agent · 05-06-2011, 08:16

I use the Optima 31 M's.
Two banks, two batteries per.

They fit in the same space as size 27 and have 900 AH each.
We have two big screen TV's (12V) and the sat receivers that will work all night without having to start the Generator.

We have generator quiet times here on the left coast mooring areas.