Installing batter based power in an old wooden boat.

[Christopher Wisnoski]

I just bought a 1964 16' wooden boat. It currently has no onboard power.
What is the best way to proceed ?
The boat will mostly be used in daytime and on lakes and local waters.
Should I go with a 1 battery system or 2 ?

And then how do I go about grounding it ? Or isn't that am issue ?

I would like some nav lights, interior lights, some 2v outlets and a radio.

I have an older 9.9 outboard motor but probably wont be hooking up electric
start due to the high cost and age and size of the current motor. Maybe I
will when I save up enough $ to get a newer/bigger outboard.

Pics of my boat can be found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/cwisnoski/BoatPics/PhotoAlbum3.html

Sorry for the dumb questions.


Thanks in advance
Chris
cwisnoski "AT" comcast.net

 

[Jürgen Spelter]

Hi Christopher,

I think one battery is enough for your boat. Boats with an electrical motor
starter use 2 batteries, one for starting the motor, one for the rest. Main
reason is, that starter battery isn`t discharged by navigation lights,
fridge and all that electrically devices, we like so much....!

If you don`t wont to start your motor by electrical starter, you will need
only one battery.

Grounding is impossible in a wooden boat, it is not nessesary at all. All
you have to do is wiring two wires from battery to each device. In steel
boats everybody should do the same...

juergen