One battery bank or two

[esarratt]

I'm toying with the idea of just refitting with one battery bank.


The engine is a Volvo MD7a and I can hand crank to start.


I'll be cruising the Pamlico Sound and into the Atlantic for some day sails.


The boat will be used a few days to a week at a time.


Any real value in a starter battery + a house bank?

[Avionics_Joe]

For your use case it should be fine. If the battery is too low some alternators will not excite. (you really ran it dead or one battery shorted out pulling the others down)
I would invest in a Li jump starter to be safe.

[S/V Illusion]

It’s kind of difficult to hand crank an engine while pulling sails and maneuvering off a rocky lee shore in a sudden storm.

[barnakiel]

imho if you can start the engine by hand, then only one battery bank


b.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by esarratt

I'm toying with the idea of just refitting with one battery bank.

Do you carry spare batteries for your flashlight?
If not, then go with one bank in the boat.
Whether for lights/starting/bilge pump, Murphy says that at some point having only one battery will come back to bite you.