The 5-Minute Battery Check That Could Save You Hundreds In Spring

Nothing puts a dampener on the first boating trip of spring like getting everyone packed, arriving at the ramp and discovering your battery is flat before you've even left land.

Checking your battery is one of the simplest, but most overlooked parts of getting your boat ready for the season. Battery failure linked to months of winter inactivity is one of the most common and avoidable costs facing recreational boat users.

Battery World general manager Johnny Kennedy says spring often brings a large spike of Aussies calling their local Battery World after discovering their boat batteries can't start the engine or power essential systems such as navigation equipment, lighting and communications.

After months of sitting idle through winter, marine batteries are particularly vulnerable as onboard systems can draw small amounts of power, gradually draining charge, while colder conditions also reduce performance.

That means a battery check won't just save you a day of inconvenience and costs, it's also critical to avoiding safety system failures.

Johnny said many people wouldn't expect a car that's been sitting for months to perform perfectly without a quick check and boats are no different.

Did you know that all Battery World stores offer free marine battery checks?

Here are Battery World's top tips for storing your boat battery safely during winter:

• Fully charge the battery before lay-up.
• Store batteries in a cool, dry place during the inactive period.
• Maintain a periodic charging schedule throughout lay-up.
• Inspect terminals for corrosion before recommissioning.
• Avoid chronic undercharging during storage and overcharging during active use, as both degrade cell chemistry and shorten service life.

Take your boat battery into your local Battery World for a quick and free battery test!