Coach's SC-16 in MA

[seaslug]

I'm glad to hear my build was useful for some ideas in creating this beauty. And your boat came out so nice it even attracts good looking women, all I get are a bunch of broken down old guys in their 60's and 70's riding with me. Mike

[Coach]

Lets pray it attracts more fish than women! Fish are easier to throw back in the water!

[Fuzz]

Lets pray it attracts more fish than women! Fish are easier to throw back in the water!

Coffee all over my keyboard

[Coach]

Forgot I had one more video clip of the test run at around 12MPH in a bit of a chop in the harbor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c_AM_kpm8U

[cape man]

That's getting it in that little boat! So impressed.

[Coach]

Took her to work today and launched her into the Merrimack River. Nashua Nh rebuilt the launch in 2020 and the access is very nice to the river. She has a 5” draft and is still running 13mph with two guys and gear. Pulled out 4 smallies tonight! I may want to add a 2nd battery as I did have an issue starting her. I think its because I ran the bilge pump when I washed and hosed her down after my harbor run on Sunday. Volts were 12.5 but she cluncked silent when I pushed the start button. Weird but was able to get her started after sitting a few minutes. Do you guys trickle charge before every run? I did not expect I would have to do that.

[cape man]

I have a charger on my batteries all the time when parked. If you can't get near an outlet, there are lots of good small solar chargers. I am thinking of getting one for my week long camping trip.
Check your ground connections. The fact that it started after sitting a while may just be a bad ground. Does that motor have an alternator?

[VT_Jeff]

Definitely check for a loose battery connection. Dying battery will turn the starter. Bad connection will clunk.

[Coach]

Thanks guys! Always learning. Still a rookie! My other thought is voltage drop. Its a small battery with 200 amp cold cranking and its located out front in bow hatch on 4awg wiring. I have a 2 battery switch in rear hatch with electrical. Was thinking about putting a pwc battery in that hatch as battery 2. Just use it for cranking by selecting 1&2 at start and while running. If I stop I can easily swap over to the one in the bow if needed at night for lights or whatever.

I will check the connections and maybe look at a small onboard charger to mount out front. Didnt realize guys keep batteries on chargers all the time.
My fault for thinking it would be just like a car and not needed since the engine has an alternator.

[VT_Jeff]

My fault for thinking it would be just like a car and not needed since the engine has an alternator.

I think it should be just like a car. I've never kept my boats on a charger and rarely have had a need to jump a boat. That is a long run from the bow to the motor but I would think 4awg would do it, I'm sure someone else on here knows a lot more about that.

If it were me, I'd exhaust other options before adding another battery. My plan/hope is to use just a single Motorcycle battery with my 20hp Honda, which does have a pull start if I get into trouble, not sure about yours.