[travlin-easy]

I strongly suspect the problem is with the starter, thus explaining the higher than normal voltage drop and battery load-down. Marine starters are not any different that an automobile starter. There's nothing to prevent corrosion causing moisture from getting inside, and in the damp environment of a boat's engine compartment, it doesn't take long for the process to begin. The only method I know to control that environment is to install a good ventilation system, which in my boat is a 72mm computer fan that runs pretty much constantly, but uses very little electricity. It draws just .04 amps, but it moves a lot of air at 12 CFM. Since that fan was installed, my engine room corrosion problems have ceased to exist. The fan cost me a whopping $7 from Amazon.com.

Good luck,

Gary