Choosing the right battery for your boat may not be as difficult as it seems. Knowing the different battery types to choose from can certainly help.

Boat batteries are similar to car batteries. The difference between the two is that a boat battery is more robust than the former. They are made this way to withstand being rocked from side to side while the boat is on water. These batteries are also rechargeable. However, they only have an average lifespan of 3 to 4 years whatever the brand may be. The lifespan mainly depends on the frequency of usage because plates disintegrate (positive and negative plates are important in creating voltage) every time the battery is used.

So what is this? Can you use it to start your boat’s engines or provide power for your lights?

The batteries for boats are commonly lead acid batteries, similar to the ones in your cars. Although batteries used in boats are tougher to endure the rough seas. Lead acid batteries are so called because they have plates (these positive and negative plates are needed to conduct a charge) made of lead and sulfuric acid inside its rectangular casing.

If you try to buy a lead acid battery for your boat, you will notice that there are some labeled simply as “marine battery”. These are usually hybrids and can be used either as starting or deep-cycle batteries.

The differences of these battery types lie in the material used to create plate materials (these positive and negative plates are necessary to create voltage). In starting batteries, lead sponges are used to create plates. This fine spongy material increases the plates’ surface area therefore allowing the battery to provide huge amounts of energy in a short period of time. Deep cycle batteries, on the other hand, have thicker plates made of solid lead because if a fine spongy material is used, the plates disintegrate quickly. Marine or hybrid batteries also use a spongy material but these are cruder and heavier than that used in starting batteries, so they can deliver large amounts of power and last long enough to be used like deep cycle batteries.

Boat batteries are rechargeable but they do not last forever. Usually, a battery has a lifespan of 3 to 4 years no matter the brand or cost. This is because each time the battery is used, the plate material gets eaten away until it can no longer provide power and must be replaced.

It seems as though Australia dominates the boating industry and many online stores based in Australia carry maine batteries and chargers. Although they are quite popular, you can still purchase a large selection of items from online stores based out of Canada and the US.

Scott loves boating and has some articles written on deep cycle battery charger and boat battery chargers too.

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