Move Over Lead-Acid: Three Ways a Lightweight Marine Lithium Battery Improves Your Boat’s Performance

Batteries for your watercraft serve two basic purposes: to start up a gas-or diesel-fueled engine, and/or to power an electric motor or other electronics on your boat. In either situation, you want a battery that lasts for years, and one that’s reliable every time you leave the dock.

As you research the best marine battery for your watercraft, there are certain qualities you should look for in your power solution. One of the most important of those qualities is weight.

Heavy lead-acid batteries drag your boating speed and performance down. When you have a small boat, a heavy battery also reduces your fuel consumption efficiency. Instead, you need a lightweight marine battery that’s optimized for high performance.

Rechargeable deep cycle lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are one-third the weight of lead-acid alternatives. In addition to providing benefits such as higher capacity and more runtime between charging, lithium batteries offer many advantages out on the water due to their lighter weight. Here’s three ways choosing lithium technology to power your marine vessel improves your boat’s performance:

1. Boosts Fuel Efficiency

When you increase your boat’s fuel efficiency, you save time because you don’t have to take as many trips to the fuel dock. You also save on fuel costs, especially if you’re out on the water frequently. Additionally, the less fuel you use helps reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing emissions.

If you’re like most boat owners, you’re going to carry gear and supplies on board when you’re going out. Lures, tools and cases of beverages all add up in terms of extra pounds. One of the easiest ways to improve fuel efficiency is to reduce a boat’s weight. With a lightweight lithium battery, you don’t have to sacrifice as much of your gear to achieve greater fuel economy.

2. Increases Speed

Heavy lead-acid batteries only slow your boat down. Extra weight causes your boat to displace more water as it moves, which means it must use more energy to push through the water. As a result, you can’t travel as fast. Being lower in the water also increases drag and inhibits acceleration.

While heavier boats have more momentum, this benefit is usually only helpful under poor weather conditions. Plus, after your boat stops, it takes more energy to get back up to speed. All-in-all, it’s better to keep your boat as light as possible.

3. Reduces Draft

You’re able to reduce the distance between your boat’s lowest point and the surface of the water when you’re running lithium technology. Boats with small drafts are able to navigate shallow waters, allowing you to access out-of-the-way ports or even take your boat right up to the beach.

While it’s useful to consult charts and observe water marks on surrounding structures, you may not always know how deep the water is if you’re navigating an area where the tide rolls in and out. It’s important to have a small draft when you travel in shallow waters to avoid hitting underwater objects or getting stuck on sandbars.

When you want to improve overall performance, switching to a marine lithium battery is a less time- and cost-intensive alternative to power your watercraft. It’s like getting a new and improved boat simply by changing your power source!

Consider switching out your heavy, high maintenance lead-acid batteries with a lighter weight, LiFePO4 battery. RELiON has one of the largest selections of lithium batteries for all types of watercrafts.