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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Outboard Battery

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chknoxville
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/22/2009 : 17:34:09

I recently inherited a 1982 catalina 25 with a yamaha outboard engine and am learning my way around. I am confused as to the battery connection for the electric starter. Do I need to place the battery in the cockpit when needed or is there a logical storage area from which it can be wired? The battery for the lighting is underneath the starboard seating cushion in the cabin.

Chris
1982 25'
Knoxville, TN

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 20:56:28

My '84 had both batteries (house and starting) located under the Starboard seat in the cabin.

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Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 21:43:52

Chris,

I too have an '82 and it is set up for two batteries... one starting battery and one house battery. I'm not sure how yours is set up since I think batteries were an option (none, one, two as well as shore power connections). Probably the best way to check is look at the battery switch (the orange one over the galley sink). If it says ON/OFF, you probably only have wiring for a single battery. If it says "1 , BOTH, 2", you're most probably set up for a dual battery system. If there is no switch at all, you probably just have a single battery wired directly to the outboard, but I would doubt Catalina would make a boat this size and not have provisions for night running or cabin lighting.

That said, you would want the battery(ies) to stay put in the battery locker under the starboard settee. It is a great idea to strap that bad boy down... a fifty pound hunk of acid banging around could make quite a mess should it get loose! The connections to my batteries are pretty simple. The batteries are connected with a common ground wire (the negative terminals are connected together with a black wire) and each positive wire (the red ones) go to the battery switch over the galley. On the back of the battery switch, you have three terminals to connect to (assuming a two battery system). Terminal 1 goes to battery 1, Terminal 2 goes to battery 2, and COM (or common) connects to the red or positive wire from the motor. WARNING: Do NOT switch the battery position switch with the motor running... it causes irreversible electrical mayhem in the generating system. Typically a jumper wire goes from the COM to your lighting panel and to whatever accessories you need to power (radios, GPS, portable defibrillator). It's possible that your boat is already wired for batteries... check under the aft berth for a couple of heavy gauge wires laying on the bottom of that storage area. Just snake the wires up through the access panel at the very end of the berth and out through the stern to the motor (or snake the motor electrical leads through and make the connection inside the boat). I have my outboard electrical wires snaked through the stern in a covered opening with the connections made in the access area at the very end of the aft berth. Access to the back side of the electrical panel is easily made from inside the port lazarette... just pull all those life jackets, fenders, buckets, air mattresses,etc, out of the way, and hop down in there. You get unfettered access to the electrical innards. I'm in the process of refurbing my electrical as we speak (spent a few hours on the boat today with my son working on this). I highly, highly recommend Don Casey's tome Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance http://www.amazon.com/Caseys-Complete-Illustrated-Sailboat-Maintenance/dp/0071462848/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8& s=books& qid=1237774691& sr=8-1. Also this web site offers a great deal of info: http://www.boatus.com/howto/howto_lib.htm. Of course, a quick search of this forum will probably answer all your questions! Best of luck.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 21:50:49

The battery box under the starboard settee is large enough to hold 2 batteries, but you may not need two. There are combination batteries available, for both starting and deep discharge. My boat has a pair of heavy duty extension cables running from that battery box under the aft bunk to the stern, and the cables from the outboard connect to the extension cables under the small inside shelf at the stern.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 22:23:08

You only need two batteries if you do significant cruising where you need lots of amps while "on the hook". Otherwise, one battery will suffice, with leads from the motor to the battery, and also from the battery to the electrical panel. You don't need a "starting" battery for the little motor on a C-25--a deep-cycle or "all-purpose" battery is fine. Starting batteries are for huge engines (500+ hp) that take a very large short-period amperage hit to turn over--your engine is not one of those.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/22/2009 22:23:41

Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 23:05:54

Dave is, as usual, correct. You will only need two batteries if you use a lot of juice. While I mentioned "starting battery" and "house battery", I was referring to the common marine practice of having a dedicated engine starting battery and a separate battery (usually a deep cycle) for other electrical needs (radios, lights, blenders, etc.) I agree with Dave that you do not need a dedicated start battery with a small outboard that could easily be started with a pull rope. I have two batteries on my boat, one for the motor and one for the boat. Why? I like options. And frozen margaritas.

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chknoxville
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2009 : 13:39:44

Thanks to everyone for your help

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2009 : 22:25:26

You can also use the search function for threads on the various means of connecting the battery and motor. I use a trolling motor plug, but others have used terminals inside or outside and other approaches in combination with a variety of routings. I sure you will find an approach that you like.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 11:43:44

Chris, I forgot to say welcome to the forum and Association. You said you inherited the C-25. If it was due to a parent or close relative passing away, I'm sorry for your loss. Looks like I may be one of the closest members to you - we're scattered all over the country as well as Canada and one or more offshore. where will you be keeping the boat? It is a great group of sailors with which to be associated, and there is a wealth of information available here.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.