Marine starting batteries have a singular, but all-important job — to reliably crank over your engine whenever you turn the key or press the start button. As that moment could be the start of a long-awaited holiday weekend, or in response to severe weather or medical emergency, it’s vital that your starting battery is up to the task.

Here are the top traits of a marine starting battery.

Battery Types

There are three primary types of marine starting batteries, Flooded, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel. Flooded electrolyte batteries are cost-effective, but can rapidly discharge if not kept fully charged or an unsealed battery’s cells topped with distilled water. They also need to be housed in vented compartments, kept upright to avoid possible spills and are more susceptible to long-term damage from vibration caused by waves and wakes. In contrast, AGM batteries contain electrolyte within spongy fiberglass mat; gel batteries use silica to convert their electrolyte into a jelly-like state. Though notably more expensive, both are far more durable and low-maintenance. Sealed designs require no watering, prevent spills and splashing and better withstand the jarring of rough water.

As to charging, flooded and gel batteries are more susceptible to heat, resulting in longer charging times. Gel batteries in fact can be rendered useless from too much heat during faster charging. The design of AGM batteries allows them to be charged up to five-times faster than a flooded battery, but keep in mind both AGM and gel batteries require temperature-sensing, voltage-regulated chargers to avoid damage.

Ready For Their Role

Starting batteries need to produce a large amount of electrical energy for a relatively short period of time. Tasking a starting battery with powering onboard electronics — from lighting and bilge pump to that booming sound system during a long afternoon partying at sandbar or cove — may not only shorten its lifespan, but possibly drain the battery’s power and leave you unexpectedly stranded. Best to leave those other power draws to a separate “deep-cycle” battery that, while maybe not as potent, is designed to deliver steadier power over a much longer period of time.

Should you require a singular solution, look for modern “hybrid” designs that promise enough deep-cycle reserve power to power onboard electronics while retaining their potent starting power. Examples include Odyssey’s Extreme and Performance series, which can deliver twice the power and last up to three-times longer than conventional lead-acid alternatives. Odyssey accomplishes this feat in part by using 99-percent-pure lead plates that are extremely thin, allowing them to be densely packed and offer maximum plate surface area.

Sufficient Cranking Amps

A starting battery’s power is measured in cranking amps (CA), the amount of electrical current a fully charged battery can discharge over a 30-second period in normal (above-freezing) conditions. Find your engine’s required cranking amps in the owner’s manual or ask your dealer. Keep in mind, when it comes to starting batteries bigger doesn’t always mean better. Technically, there’s no need to buy a battery rated for more cranking amps than your engine requires.

Marine-Specific Design And Construction

Insist on batteries that are designed for marine use. In addition to the abuse from jarring waves and wakes, the marine environment is notoriously harsh. Look for materials like brass or brass-plating on terminals to provide secure cable connections that will remain free from corrosion. Odyssey’s robust intercell connections are cast to the plates and bonded to resist vibration and eliminate internal sparking. Compressed Absorbed Glass Mat plate separators also provide extreme vibration resistance and prevent spills, allowing batteries to even be installed on their side.

Most Valuable Player

A marine starting battery is literally the key to a safe, fun-filled day on the water. Choose a quality battery that matches your needs — and is built for the unique demands of the marine environment — and you’ll enjoy not only the day but many stress-free seasons to come.

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Flat-bottom boats like Carolina Skiff’s 19 SWS deliver a legacy of inshore stability with an ultrashallow draft and plenty of deck space to fish multiple anglers. The simplicity of these skiffs and their affordability make them great family boats or even sensible sidekicks to an offshore ride.

Measuring 19 feet, 3 inches long, the 19 SWS features broad fore and aft casting platforms that would fish at least four. And because it draws only 4 inches of water, it can fish flats on a rapidly falling tide with little concern.

A standard jack plate helps you ease out of mere puddles, and pops you back on plane efficiently.

If you prefer live-baiting to casting plugs or flies, the 25-gallon aft livewell and the smaller well beneath the forward console seat hold plenty of shrimp or finfish and allow you to separate more delicate baits. Removable plush fishing seats fore and aft create all-day comfort.

On those days when you need gear for multiple fishing options, the 19 SWS delivers molded bow storage with overboard drains, a molded-in anchor locker and battery storage area, six flush-mount stainless rod holders, a cargo storage bag and a 70-quart removable marine cooler.

At the helm, the 19 SWS features a tilt steering wheel, switches and analog gauges. Mount a small electronics multifunction display in the helm face or atop the console. Stand or sit at the stainless-frame helm seat with an adjustable back.

Additional standard features for the SWS include a quick-disconnect windshield, a 12V trolling-motor plug, a fuel-water separator, a bilge pump, an aerator pump, a lockable access door, and a pop-out service hatch.

Structurally, this skiff is rock solid. The hull is built with a fiberglass grid system and a high-density fiber-core foam transom. Nestled onto that, the molded-fiberglass deck liner adds a finished look. The gravity-fed drain and non-skid deck and floor surfaces keep you dry and steady.

The 19 SWS weighs 2,192 pounds and features a 7-foot-5-inch beam with 19-inch-high gunwales—an average height for most bay boat-style models. It is rated for eight passengers, provides 25 gallons of fuel capacity and can carry up to a 140 hp engine; Carolina Skiff offers you your choice of outboard brands.

Standard controls include a binnacle control shifter, a Teleflex shifter control cable, a stainless-steel tilt helm and a Teleflex no-feedback premium steering cable, or you can option up to SeaStar hydraulic steering with a tilt helm.

Further personalize your skiff with options such as a 12V/24V trolling-motor panel with trim/tilt, a maxi air recirculation system, a raw-water washdown system, and a selection of hull colors, including bisque, black, electric blue and seafoam green. Shade options include a Bimini top, a canvas T-top or a fiberglass T-top in a variety of colors.

Carolina Skiff completes the package with National Marine Manufacturers Association certification and a 10-year hull warranty. Building a quality boat at a great price has always been the company’s goal. So it’s easy to see why Carolina Skiff remains the No. 1 outboard-powered fiberglass-boat brand in North America.

The post Focused on Fishing Shallow and Flat appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Meet the Solace 41CS, a center console boat that redefines the standards of family and fishing features.

Some of the notable features include the classic SŌLACE electric windshield, a strong cockpit fighting chair/rocket launcher, a versatile bow seating area, a luxurious cabin complete with an enclosed shower and head, and a thoughtfully designed cockpit perfect for both fishing and entertainment.

The Solace 41CS is not just a family fishing boat; it’s a true contender in the tournament fishing arena. With its cutting-edge features and exceptional performance, this boat is guaranteed to raise fish.

Come along as Editor-at-Large, Randy Vance walks through the range of innovations that this CC brings to the table.

For more information on the Solace 41CS, visit solaceboats.com.

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With its dual-stepped, semi-asymmetric hulls, the 34 CT is a new-school cat that shows up and shows out. Powered by twin Mercury V-10 400 hp outboards, this boat delivers impressive acceleration and effortlessly handles challenging conditions. At 4,000 rpm and 36.7 mph, it achieved 1.2 mpg in our test. That efficiency equates to a cruising range of more than 400 miles, even with 10 percent of its 436-gallon fuel capacity left in reserve.

When it comes to fishing, the Caymas 34 CT offers a range of features. The spacious and stable deck provides a secure footing. With our toes tucked in the deck gutters and our thighs pressing the thick gunwale bolsters, we could focus on handling the rod or gaff, not staying on our feet. There are three livewells, six fish boxes (three per side) with macerator pumps and plenty of rod holders (six in each gunwale, five shotguns, nine tuna-stick hangers under the gunwales, and nine more shared between the hardtop and leaning post).

Fishing-wise, it’s apparent Caymas put the right people on the design team. But the designers and upholsterers get their kudos on the comfort side as well. A pullout transom seat and dual forward pullout lounges offer comfortable seating to complement the dual chaise-style ­lounges on the console’s front side. Under those posh cushions is a ton of storage or another fish box, as you choose. Every deck compartment is insulated for multi-use.

For more information on the Caymas 34 CT, visit caymasboats.com or check out our full review on saltwatersportsman.com.

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While the world accelerates toward electric power, the marine industry waves a caution flag. What might seem a simple environmental solution can’t resolve the unique roadblocks faced by boatbuilders and engine builders. The industry needs a stopgap, and sustainable marine fuels seem to fit.

“There are currently 12 million existing boats in the market,” says Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha US Marine Business Unit. “The option of using sustainable marine fuel within these vessels paves a path to carbon neutrality within product already on the water.”

Earlier this year, Yamaha Marine announced a sustainable marine fuel-testing initiative with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and other industry partners. The group plans to identify fuels that significantly reduce carbon-dioxide emissions while maintaining boat range and performance.

Already, Yamaha has demonstrated sustainable marine fuel-powered vessels at February’s Miami International Boat Show and at the Bassmaster Classic and American Boating Congress this spring.

Sustainable marine fuel, not batteries, can deliver the substantial power vessels need. In fact, boats require 10 times more energy to move through the dense world of water than a vehicle needs to drive a slick roadway. That’s a pretty heavy lift for your outboard engines.

While electric propulsion such as Yamaha’s 3.7 kW (9.9 hp) Harmo offer a potential solution for small, lightweight boats in specific situations, it can’t generate enough energy density for most boats.

Energy density has a very technical definition, but a comparison shows its impact: Gasoline produces 922,000 Btu per cubic foot of energy density, while lithium-ion nano batteries deliver 174,000—a 5.3-to-1 ratio.

Sustainable marine fuels, which combine various components with gasoline, generate enough energy to deliver acceptable performance and range. However, the primary biofuel currently in use—corn ethanol—also can damage engine parts and create corrosion.

Yamaha’s demo vessels use EcoGen 93, which is a blend of 17 percent ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (trade named Ideal EMP) and gas, and is 10 percent carbon neutral compared with 7 percent for ethanol. Ideal EMP is made from natural gas and biomass, which is any organic material that would otherwise rot in the field and become part of the carbon chain, explains Martin Peters, Yamaha’s director of marine external affairs.

A company called VP Racing blends and markets EcoGen 93. Peters says that the fuel can be delivered now in barrels and will be distributed in Texas by summer and at Southeast locations later this year. It’s expected to cost about the same as current gasoline.

Yamaha plans to use an EcoGen-powered 23-foot vessel to demonstrate the fuel’s capabilities to Congress members at on-water locations near Washington D.C., Peters says. “Our strategy is to assist the fuel industry in getting the regulatory support to smooth the way for distribution,” he says. “There are currently barriers to this in the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

In the future, improved battery technology might deliver better answers for outboard power. Until then, sustainable marine fuel—and potentially hydrogen or additional hybrid solutions—can drive the marine industry toward more eco-friendly propulsion.

The post Floating Toward a Cleaner Future appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Come aboard the Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer with Randy Vance. Brand new and built off the success of the 251 CE, this boat is well-built and has plenty special features to make your time on the water efficient and fun. The 281 CE’s design includes plenty of storage and comfortable lounging with an optional deck extension. Watch now to see why Grady-White wins the Customer Satisfaction Index award year after year.

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The view on keeping your catch has changed dramatically over the past quarter century, and with recreational fishing being a central pillar of the Florida Keys, there is no place where catch and release is more critical. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages fish and wildlife resources for their longterm wellbeing and for the overall benefit of the people. They set regulations, like bag limits, size limits, and seasons based on scientific data. They’ve dedicated significant resources to teach anglers how to confidently release fish.

The post Protect the Blue, Chapter 5 – Catch and Release: Lower Keys appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

A number of factors have led to the degradation of coral reefs throughout the Florida Keys, a critical ecosystem for the health of all kinds of life including game fish species. Earlier this year, NOAA Fisheries published Mission: Iconic Reefs, which outlines the need for emergency action to address the health of coral reefs, including Carysfort Reef in Key Largo.

The post Protect the Blue, Chapter 4 – Coral Comeback: Key Largo appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Fishing reefs and wrecks in Marathon and the Florida Keys is as common as the postcard sunsets. But bottom fishing can bring with it an all-too-common sight: a deep water fish floating away after being released. It’s called barotrauma, where the fish’s body cavity expands and distorts, leaving them helpless at the surface. Initiatives are underway to change this dynamic, including Return ‘Em Right, which aims to reduce barotrauma in recreational reef fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.

The post Protect the Blue, Chapter 3 – Rescue, Release, Repeat: Marathon appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

We take a trip to the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles from Key West, one of the most popular offshore fishing spots in the Florida Keys. What makes this destination unique among the many top-notch Keys fishing spots is its backdrop: Dry Tortugas State Park. See how recreational fishing and this remote nature preserve coexist, and learn the rules/regulations that protect this pristine area.

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