2026-01-23 Grounded Again! (Sort of)

When I got ready to leave the Naha on my last trip and I attempted to fire up the main engines the starboard engine started but the port engine would not start. Just by the way it sounded I suspected that the problem was low voltage on the starting battery. So, I shut down the starboard engine and then fired up the generator, which has its own dedicated starting battery. I ran the generator for a bit, and it charged the batteries. Then I started both engines with no issues.

That started me thinking about the batteries and I realized that they are now 10 years old, which is pretty old for batteries on a boat.

When I got back to town, I had my electrician come down and analyze everything that he could in anticipation of replacing all the batteries. There are 4 main batteries which are called "8D" batteries and weigh about 160 lbs each. Getting the old ones out and the new ones in is not going to be an easy job, given their location and their weight.

But now the question arises, is it safe for me to go out on trips now before I replace the batteries? Finding the right batteries, getting them here, and getting them installed is going to take some time, possibly months. Am I grounded until then?

According to my electrician, no. He said the alternators are charging properly and I might have to run my generator more than I would normally run it to keep the batteries charged up, but he says it's safe to go out. My gut instinct says no, it isn't safe.

So, we'll see what wins out!