As the owner of a Barletta pontoon boat, you should have some understanding of the battery system on board. Healthy boat batteries are critical to having a hassle-free day on the water. They are an important component to take care of so that your boat runs at peak performance.
If you’ve spent any time on your boat, you might be familiar with the battery switch, but do you know how and when to use it? Have you ever wondered what functions draw the most power from the battery? Do you want to know where to find your battery on your Barletta?
If any of these questions ring true for you, you’re in luck because I’ve covered all of that and more in this article. The first bit of information to acknowledge is that batteries serve an important role in the proper functioning of any boat. Keep in mind, every boat manufacturer sets their battery system up in a different way.
Some manufacturers recommend flooded batteries to be installed based on the engine. Others require AGM batteries in their system for the same reason…the engine.
Now let’s dig into what makes Barletta’s battery system unique. Barletta’s craftsmanship is second to none and that translates to every stop on the production line. The battery system is no different and quality is at the forefront when putting this system together.
[For more information on the type of boat batteries and general battery knowledge, check out Batteries 101:Expert Info Every Boater Needs to Know]
The battery recommended by Barletta is based on the brand of motor that you choose. Here at Barletta, we offer two different engine choices which are Mercury and Yamaha. Mercury motors are designed in a way that requires AGM batteries. Yamaha motors can be used with AGM, flooded, and other types of batteries.
The goal is to get the highest performance possible out of your engine so Barletta only recommends what is best for the motor itself. That is why, depending on your motor, you may be limited to a specific type of battery.
Installing a different type of battery that isn’t meant for your motor could lead to damage in the long run or lack of performance from not only the engine but the electronics on board as well. All the electronics onboard are powered by the battery and this includes your stereo system, bimini, trim, and other features you may not even realize require battery power.
For instance, your ignition requires strong voltage from the battery. Without it, your boat will not start. Nobody wants the unpleasant surprise of a dead battery when they are planning a day out on the water. That’s why it is so important to fully understand the battery system in your boat and how to operate it.
Something else to note, Barletta boats do not come equipped with these batteries from the factory, which is typical of most boat manufacturers. The reason behind this is that batteries have a set shelf life. With that in mind, there’s no telling how long the boat will be sitting at the dealership before it goes home with its new owner.
Nobody wants to get in a new boat and end up with a dead battery. That’s why we leave the battery purchase and install up to you and your dealer when you take possession of the boat. Another aspect to consider on the Barletta battery system is the number of batteries recommended.
The number of batteries your boat has is determined by which Barletta model you own. The Lusso and Corsa series have dual battery systems. The Cabrio series has a single battery system.
Lusso and Corsa models have a large number of electronics on board. The large electrical load requires there to be two batteries to power the system. Otherwise, you would not be able to power all of your accessories and start the engine.
Cabrio models have a single battery system because of the smaller electrical load they carry. These models still have all the amenities one needs for a day on the water, there are just fewer bells and whistles than the other two classes.
The number of battery terminals that come standard on a Barletta will hold the number of batteries needed to support the electrical load from the boat. We have had some Cabrio owners request a second battery terminal in order to install two batteries instead of one.
In this case, you have to consult with your dealer to see if their service team is equipped to install a second terminal once the boat arrives at the dealership. The dealer is responsible for whether they can facilitate that change since it is not a Barletta standard.
Why would someone want to add another battery to the Cabrio model? Some people add their own accessories to the boat after they take possession which may overpower a single battery. Some people also prefer to have another one on board as a backup. Whatever the reason, be sure to talk with your dealer if you’re interested in having more than one battery on board.
The next question is, where can you find your battery or batteries on your Barletta boat? They can be found towards the stern of the boat. The battery (or batteries) are conveniently located under the back center seat. The seat with the battery switch located on the side of it is where the battery can be found.
You can easily access your batteries by flipping the seat up. They are housed in a battery box and you can access the connections by taking the top off of that box. The ON/OFF switch is easily accessible on the exterior of the furniture.
The battery switch varies between models. Barletta’s Lusso and Corsa series have the same three-position battery switch. Barletta’s Cabrio series has a battery switch with only two positions.
Let’s start by going over the switch on the Lusso and Corsa models. There are three positions on the battery switch on these models. The positions are ON, OFF, and COMBINE BATTERIES.
In order to operate your boat, you must have it in the ON position. This way your engine is getting the power it needs to start as well as any electronics you are using while on a cruise.
Now, say you want to float with the engine off but you still would like to play the radio. In this situation, you should keep the battery switch in the ON position. This way your battery will be functioning to keep your accessories running while the boat is off.
Finally, when you’re done boating for the day, you should turn the battery switch position to OFF. This ensures that all electronics are off and won’t be draining your battery while you’re away.
So why is there even a COMBINE BATTERIES position? This is meant to be used as an emergency jumper. If you happen to run into a dead battery after listening to the radio while floating at the sandbar, you can use the COMBINE BATTERIES position as a jump start. This is the only time the COMBINE BATTERIES position is recommended for use.
The battery switch on the Cabrio is slightly different. This battery switch only has an ON and OFF position. All you need to remember about this switch is to turn it ON when you are ready to go out on your boat. Then when you’re done boating for the day, turn it to the OFF position and you’ll be set.
By following this procedure, the number of times you run into a dead battery should be limited. No dead battery equals happy boating.
Barletta pontoons have a lot of standards that are electrically powered. It does help to know what accessories draw the most power. That way you can hopefully avoid a dead battery while using the boat for the day.
The accessory that typically draws the most power from the battery is the amplified audio system. This comes standard in Lusso models. The amplified audio system is available as an optional upgrade for Corsa models as well.
Any radio system will draw quite a bit of power from the battery. No matter what model you have, it’s a good practice to get in the habit of turning your radio off when you’re not using it. You never want to walk away from your boat and let the music play for hours. I’ve done exactly that before so I can tell you it never ends well. It normally means you’ll have to find a tow home.
Another accessory that draws a good amount of power from a battery is the power bimini. All Barletta’s are equipped with power bimini’s no matter the model. This is a top feature but be warned it requires a lot of power.
It is recommended that while moving the bimini up and down, the engine is running. This will help you avoid killing the battery as the engine acts as a charger while it’s running. By keeping the motor on, you will have plenty of power to charge the batteries for this action.
Other accessories that draw power from the batteries on a Barletta include: the ignition, trimming the motor, lights, Simrad electronics, Lowrance electronics, and others.
As a boater, at some point, you will find yourself with an unsuspected dead battery. With all the information above, hopefully, you won’t run into this often.
You are now a Barletta battery expert and will be able to make well-educated decisions about your boat’s battery system. It is so important to learn everything you can before making any big decision about your boat.
Doing so will help you stay safe while on the water. It will also allow you to avoid unwanted problems such as a dead battery if you know how to care for your boat.