New Boater

Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all

You'll need two batteries connected together in series for the trolling
motor, then one battery for the big motor. 27 series all the way around for
me...

Oh yeah, you'll need a way to charge the trolling batteries after each use.
Look at the ProMariner 2-bank charger... that's what I'm using. I've also
got a small BPS charger for the starting battery when the boat sits too
long.


"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all

Oh yeah... Welcome to the group, and welcome to being a boat owner!


"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all

"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all


Depnds on how hard you are going to push it. I've had fairly good luck with
Trojan batteries. There are some that are better, but they are a lot more
expensive. A Guest charger to keep them trollers charged can't be beat.
Sue at Guest will take care of any problems you might with their chargers
(not like to have a problem) too.

If you will be running that trolling motor on high all day long you may want
to look at some group 31s. Most folks get by on 27s. A 27 is more tan
adequate fro your starting battery and running your electronics all day
long.

Welcome to being a boater. One more thing. Have fun.

--
Bob La Londe

Cheapskate's Ways to Do Fishing Stuff
(The Frugal Fisherman)
Through the Month of October 2005

http://www.YumaBassMan.com

"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all

Like Charles said, welcome to the group. Like Charles I have to say group
27 batteries. Brand and price depend on your budget. I have been buying mine
at places like Fleet Farm, Tractor Supply and even K-mart without any
problems. Buy in pairs. Do not mix battery brand or age IMHO. I change them
out about every 3-4 years before they fail. (3 when I lived in Minnesota
fishing 3-4 days a week, sigh)

BTW I think you have a rig I can relate to. I have a 16ft Alumacraft
Navigator with a 75 hp Evinrude E-tec. Believe me you do not have to have a
big rig to have fun bass fishing. What state are you in? South Dakota here.
Joe Z.

Contact your boat seller!
"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all

"Charles B. Summers, HOF+M" charles wrote in message
news
You'll need two batteries connected together in series for the trolling
motor, then one battery for the big motor. 27 series all the way around
for
me...

Oh yeah, you'll need a way to charge the trolling batteries after each
use.
Look at the ProMariner 2-bank charger... that's what I'm using. I've also
got a small BPS charger for the starting battery when the boat sits too
long.

I use the Cabelas house-brand (actually rebadged Pro Mariner) 2 bank charger
on my troller batts too Charles, I recommend them also. Nice and water
tight, usable on lead acid or Gel batts, and most importantly on boats as
small as the original posters (and my own 17' runabout) is its realtively
compact size and low weight. I had a 3 bank model from one of the other big
brands and it was as big as and weighed as much as another whole battery...



"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all

Thanks everyone you all are a big help. I got a old 77 boat in good
condition I live in Arizona outside of Phoenix , so this boat can be
used all year. The main reason for getting this boat is to get my 2
sons into the sport of fishing. The same as my Dad did for me.I have a
13 year old & a 5 year old son that can't wait to get this boat in the
water.
Again thanks for the help.

Hello and welcome to the group.

If you have never owned a boat before, please contact the Local US Power
Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary in your area and take a safe boating
course. Or you can go online to www.usps.org and there is a link to a place
where you can take on online free. It will teach you a lot you thought you
knew, but really don't.

I have Trojan's in my ranger, don't use it all that much and the boat is 6
years old this February, and it needs new ones all around 2 for the 24 volt
trolling motor and one for the 200 Merc Optimax. However, it' always been
garaged when not used, had all the factory service when it needed it by age
not by hours. I would guess it only has about 100 or so hours on it. Just
got to many things going on so don't use it much. Plus live in a big city,
lot of weekend boaters, many crazies who should not come out of their house
and they have a boat, so it's almost a hassle. Once I retire, I can go
during the week, and it will be a lot more fun. The hassle factor just
takes all the fun out of it now.

It's paid for, don't cost nothing to keep in the garage, so I am going to
hang on to it.

Tires, you did not talk about tires for the trailer. Trailer Boats and
several other boat magazines talked about the trailer tires and a
replacement policy. The experts they talked to recommended tire replacement
after five years of use. I would agree if the boat trailer sits outside,
the wheels are not covered, and you live in a sunny and hot location all
year. Phoenix qualifies, so unless the tires on the trailer are only a year
or so old, think about replacing them as well. The batteries will let you
fish, the tires will get you to the launch and back safely, especially with
two small kids riding with you.

Hope this helps.

MontyX


"joematt513" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all Thanks for the group. Let me start off I just got a 16ft fishing
boat with a 55hp Johnson. It also has a Minn Kota bowmount trolling
motor 24 volt. Now the problem i have no batteries does anyone have any
suggestions on what I would need. I am a 1st time boater owner and have
no clue. Thanks all