Remove batterys when winterizing?

[seadog23]

Is it necessary to remove the batterys from my 23SE for the winter? Thanks

 

[Parker23]

I just top mine off with a charge and leave them in disconnected.

 

[Megabyte]

I have a pair of Optima blue-top AGM's in my boat and they have not been taken out since they were installed in 2004.
I did install a Guest charger/maintainer a couple of years ago that I use to top them off before winterizing, but that's it.
I don't even bother to disconnect them.

I suppose it also depends on where you are located.

 

[jacksdad]

So if one were to set the battery selector to 'none' does that take care of it? I'm in Md and we see some low temps over the winter.

 

[Megabyte]

Not sure if my switch says 'none' or 'off', but yes... just switch them off and you're good to go.

If you have flooded cell batteries, you might want to put them on a trickle / float charger about once a month just to be safe.
Flooded cell batteries drain at a faster rate than AGM's when not being used.

AGM's should be topped off when the boat is put away, and again before spring commissioning.
Charging in-between those two periods (over the winter) isn't necessary with AGM's.

 

[POGE]

3 Massachusetts winters and counting leaving in boat. my back thanks me. I check to make sure cells are full, then charge to full at first layup, then about once a month through winter as boat in at my house. Protect from any corrosion at layup and start of season, no problems so far.

 

[SOUTHWINS]

the only time i take them off is when i need new ones

 

[Parkerman]

Just to be different....
I always take them out. Not sure why but I do. Its a good excuse to clean out the battery compartment in the spring before I put them back in. I keep them in my shed and hit them with the trickle charger once every four to six weeks. I suppose I could just leave them in and do the same thing.