Why have a cranking battery?

MaviAtta · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011

Second post. Please forgive me if I don't use proper forum etiquette .

My Catalina 27 (1974) has 3 batteries (two house and a cranking). The ouboard (2000 Yamaha) is only 9.9hp. Do I really need a cranking battery for a motor so small? Would it be terrible if I replaced it (it's 7 years old and has a buldge on the side) with another house battery?

I thought because it has a pull start, it may not require a dedicated cranking battery.

Just curious.

jrd22 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011

I can't see any reason to have a dedicated cranking battery for a small outboard, unless you can't get to the pull start when the engine is down.

mitiempo · #3 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011

I agree with jrd22.

In a boat with an inboard I would look at the starting battery more as an emergency battery and start on the house bank anyway.

MaviAtta · #4 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011

Thank you guys for the speedy reply. I feel the same way, but wanted to get more thoughts.