Replace Batteries on the Hard

[dlochner]

Another thought if you have a cooperative marina. Use a fork lift to lift the batteries up to the boat. Once at deck level it will be relatively easy to bring the batteries on board.

Last fall we used the yards front loader to take the life raft off the boat. The operator brought the bucket up under the LR and I released the straps. It dropped right in, and down it went in the bucket.

 

[dLj]

Don't know if anything like this gives you any ideas... The block and tackle could work, but I'd forego the "authenticity" and use an electric winch... I'd flip this 90 degrees, run the feet near the gunwale, and have it articulate back over your companionway, raise the batteries high enough, to clear, then move to where you can drop it down without hitting anything.... OH crap! just remembered you said you have the boat covered...

In the words of Lily Tomlin.. "Never mind"....

dj

 

[Benny17441]

Consult with someone at an international moving company. They deal with this sort of challenges fairly often.

 

[berner73]

Did this while on the hard with a Motor Mate outboard crane. Had to change the line on the crane due to the drop/lift distance, but it worked well. If you don't have a similar setup, I'd wait until you're back in the water. Lot's of opportunities for things to go very wrong, very quickly. Could be an unfortunate lesson in the difference between potential and kinetic energy - and possibly a Darwin Award.

 

[TimFromLI]

I replaced 3 of them on the hard last year (lifelines). I put a line through the handles and used a winch to lower them to the ground. I had one of my kids help me lower them. It was fairly straightforward. The scary part was lifting the brand new t-105 trojan replacements back into the boat. I put each trojan in a milk crate and hoisted the crate back up using a winch and lifted them the last foot over the toe rail.

 

[Rick486]

Why would you replace 4d with the same? For decades folks have been suggesting that those big heavy and not true deep cycle batteries be replaced with lighter, better, true deep cycle golf cart batteries. Your boat, your back.

What you are attempting to do is dangerous, unnecessary, foolhardy and counterproductive.

While I wish you the best for your health and safety, please think about this again, and more than twice.

I replaced gel with gel simply because the original equipment batts lasted 12 years with good service.

 

[Bob J.]

We've moved batteries on or off our boats
using a 2×8 or 2×10 plank set at 45 degrees. Makes it easy to slide batteries up into your boat or down to the ground.
Most marinas usually have planks just laying around.

 

[Bob S]

a fork truck is the easiest solution if the yard has one. I replaced 3 4D’s with 6 GC in a custom battery box using a fork truck. No easy answer!

 

[DougM]

This is one task I am not looking forward to doing this spring...
The boat was put into winter storage September 2019 with both 3 year old batteries fully charged and completely disconnected, no power nearby to hook up a trickle charger, and stored outdoors . I could not even use the boat in 2020 because of Covid restrictions. I am betting by the time I get back to Michigan that those batteries are DOA.

I should have purchased some sort of battery replacement package deal, if it was available. Besides the boat, The 5 year old BMW needed its AGM replaced last summer because it wouldn’t charge even though its a daily driver. My four year old GMC, also a daily driver, needed a battery last fall because there was a dead cell in it, and Onstar is telling me the battery in my Corvette needs attention even though its been on a charger all winter, and driven only occasionally. (I know, use some common sense and get rid of some of the toys...)

 

[DRhoads]

Get a case of beer, and offer it to some strong young studs who can lift the batts up on the boat.

Don’t give them the beer until they have the batteries where you want them, and the studs are safely back on the ground.

Best Idea yet !!!!!!!
i just replace my 4Ds yesterday on the hard. two strong boys for in and out of the cabin then two lines tied to the battery lowered and raised over the side. I did not have shrink wrap though.

 

[P12nash]

I'm going to talk with the yard to see if they can accommodate with their forklift to at least get the batteries down from and up to the deck when the shrink wrap comes off, otherwise I'll tie them off to two winches and slowly lower them down/up. I'm comfortable enough lugging them around from there.

 

[shemandr]

Regarding getting 2 strong "utes" to do the heavy lifting, or a buddy, I have to add that unless they are working for the yard, or a business approved by the yard, they are uninsured. Maybe they would be covered by your boat policy or your umbrella policy - I don't know. Consider if one injuries his back. They could be in for a prolonged recovery and may not be able to work. Do you want that on you?

 

[Justin_NSA]

Regarding getting 2 strong "utes" to do the heavy lifting,

LOL! I saw what you did there Vinney!

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Replacing 4D batteries is a job for the yard if there ever was one. I like to do lots of jobs myself, but the idea of lifting 127 pounds of each battery is not one of them. I had the yard do it while the boat was in water.

 

[jssailem]

I’m with @Stu Jackson on this one. So many advantages. I arrived at a similar conclusion to get true deep cell batteries that are in a better package.

If your set on the 4D’s then while the boat is on the water is the next best approach. The lift is max 4 ft and manageable by two healthy persons.

If you must do it while the boat is on the hard (most dangerous scenario) then the yard and fork lift would be much safer than any form of ladder-winch-boom structure I can imagine. I’d be sure the boat jacks are tied securely together and snug to the hull. Moving about with 300 plus pounds near the edge of the boat will test the balance and structure of your boat and rigging holding it in place on the hard.

Just opinion, I prefer the first suggestion. Has worked safely for me.