Small yard tractor or motorcycle battery work on a 25?

[Afishinado]

I am putting a 25 on the kids 13 Whaler. I want to open up the deck behind the bench seat which means a under seat tank and moving the battery. If I went to a lawn tractor or motorcycle battery, I could fit it under the bench seat too. Any reason why it wouldn't work?

[Nesta J]

I did it for years with a 40hp merc. Try a a jet ski battery those same as motorcycle both are a little stronger than a lawn tractor motor. Do it and not even think twice.

[dwg2116]

If you are talking about a small motor, in a small boat, with no house load, (as you are) then I see no problem with a jet ski battery. This is the same class of engine that is frequently available with NO battery and pull start only.

The exception to this could be with a modern, efi, computer controlled engine.

I do not know this for a fact, but I recall people on this board, with certain problomatic engines being told by their dealers that the reason they had problems was that minimum battery requirements must be met, or you will DAMAGE your electronics.


I don't know if that was just smoke and cover for a bad batch of motors, but I would be certain that my dealer OK's the idea if this is a new engine.

[Afishinado]

Engine is a 99 Johnson 2 stroke. Doesn't have pull start or power tilt. Has a cheapie depth finder and I am getting pressured into some sort of stereo for it.

[dwg2116]

Afishinado - 9/30/2005 11:00 AM

Engine is a 99 Johnson 2 stroke. Doesn't have pull start or power tilt. Has a cheapie depth finder and I am getting pressured into some sort of stereo for it.

I'll bet it has a pull start under the cowl at least. If the kids can be trained to use it,
I would do it, and not think twice.

Of course, I do alot of things without thinking twice
did I ever tell you the one about the hornet's nest?

[Kamper]

A lawn-tractor battery might not be constructed as tough as a marine battery. The pounding may cause the plates to weaken. You could probably reduce the chance of that by placing a piece of closed cell foam in the battery tray. I think I'd prefer to use a jet-ski battery instead.

[Juice]

I ran a 1979 25hp 'Rude off a lawn tractor battery for about 3 years before it died. Worked just fine for that little motor. I don't know if it would have the power to support other applications though. We had the motor and oars, no trolling motor or depthfinder. Man was I behind the times!

[Afishinado]

Juice - 9/30/2005 1:41 PM

"We had the motor and oars, no trolling motor or depthfinder. Man was I behind the times!"

Maybe, but most likely the best boat you ever had! K.I.S.S. works best!

I will definately use a PWC battery, they definately can take the beating and I love the mounting system they use....
K.I.S.S.

[sr31aj]

What's the status of the rail repair on your Sea-Pro? Did you get the new one? Have you put it on? If so, how'd you screw it down? Iggles game doesn't start until 4 this week, I'm probably available to help you on Sunday.

[Afishinado]

sr31aj - 9/30/2005 2:14 PM

What's the status of the rail repair on your Sea-Pro? Did you get the new one? Have you put it on? If so, how'd you screw it down? Iggles game doesn't start until 4 this week, I'm probably available to help you on Sunday.

Donny Young came and filled the holes with epoxy, I used self-tapping screws back in the exact same spot. Soild as a rock, came out perfect. Very pleased. Donny showed up in a couple days, Pier 47 had the rail for me in less than a week.
Thanks for the offer!

[sr31aj]

Glad to hear it worked out so well. Have a good weekend.