Winter Battery Tips

Hello all Grand Banks Owners,

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your Rendezvous this past September.  If you missed it, I’m happy to send the notes from my presentation.  With winter near, I thought I’d give a few quick tips to help those of you who have either wet, lead-acid batteries or Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.  So please put on your safety glasses and a pair of nitrile gloves and let’s get to it.  This should only take about 20-30 minutes and a few basic tools.

Tools: Combination (or adjustable) wrench for loosening the nuts on the cable terminal bolts, wire brush and a wire terminal cleaner (one that cleans inside the cable end and fits over the battery terminal), Digital Volt Meter (DVM), electrolyte hydrometer; a gallon of distilled water and a damp yellow microfiber rag for cleanup. 

  1. Loosen and remove cable ends to check for and remove any corrosion on your battery terminals.  Even AGM batteries can develop corrosion because acid may wick from the battery up through the POS terminal to settle between your battery post and cable terminal.  If you discover even a small bit of blue-green or white corrosion, remove the cable end from the battery and clean it away with a wire brush.
  2. If you have terminal protection goop, check to see if it’s “di-electric” type.  This type is NOT good to have between the terminal and the cable end as it is mostly silicone which acts as an insulator.  Best practice is to clean your battery and cable terminals so they are CLEAN.  Reassemble them, metal to metal, tighten everything. THEN you can smear a light coating of battery protection goop.    Other spray-on types of battery protectant material, or smear-on types, are fine when applied sparingly and after everything is tight and done.  Keep in mind that you are only trying to keep the hydrogen gas off the metal, not decorate a cake! 😉
  3. Check your electrolyte levels with a hydrometer (clearly, not possible with AGM models).  If you have enough fluid to suck up into the hydrometer, then you probably have enough fluid in the cell that is above the plates.  You should have about 3/8” to ½” deep electrolyte above the plates in your battery.
    Batteries are low on Charge?  Add just enough to cover the plates before you charge them.  The level will rise when you charge them so be sparing.  When they are fully charged, add just enough more distilled water to get that 3/8” to ½” of electrolyte above the plates.
    Batteries fully charged?  You only need to add enough distilled water to get that 3/8” to ½” level.
  4. Your fully charged batteries at rest (not influenced by your charger having been ON for at least 6 hours) should indicate about 12.6-12.7 volts on your digital volt meter or 1.265 to 1.275 specific gravity reading on your hydrometer.  AGM batteries’ voltage should be slightly higher at 12.7 to 12.8v.
  5. If all is clean and protected, and your batteries are being charged at 13.2v DC (for wet, lead-acid) and 13.4v DC for AGM batteries, then you are all set for the winter PROVIDED you either set your charger (or inverter) to periodically discharge your batteries (say, 2x per month) down to 12.1 volts, or you make a promise to yourself to go boating and accomplish the same thing.  Enjoy the winter and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best regards,
Steve Ahmann, President
Pacific Power Batteries
https://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com/

2021 Rendezvous Recap

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a safe trip back home after our 2021 Rendezvous.

What a memorable event, from the absolutely superb seminars, to the live demonstration of a rescue at sea, the incredible food at the pot luck, the perfect afternoon at the winery, the superior ship handling demonstrated by our members when the dock came apart, and finally Stan Campbell’s risqué potato shoot. Captain Charlie presented the perfect nautical evening of entertainment to wrap up the event. It was great to see twenty new owners represented and I think every one of them were at the roundtable boat discussion that went on for hours.

These events cannot take place without the tireless dedication of the PSGBOA Rendezvous Committee.  A special thanks to Byron Richards and Sue Hunt, Greg and Janice McLaughlin, Patt and Mike Aiello, Ken and Cheri Bowles, Marty and Mary Ann Savinsky, Ross Tennent , Stan and Kay Campbell, and Morrie Trautman. A special thanks to our outgoing president Carol Tabor and Bill Read. Although they could not be with us, their presence was felt at each event.

Our presenters were amazing, Jim Marcotte, Dr. Chris Roberts, Steve Ahmann, Ann Eidenboden, Greg Allen, Mark Bunzell and our dear friends Arnold Hofmann and Marty Savinsky.

We were truly grateful to be supported by Grand Banks Yachts who graciously sent Mike Hickey and Jeff Fischer to give a presentation. Their presence was very valuable and it was great to meet them.

Finally, I am grateful to Emma and Don Doody who have volunteered to Chair next year’s Rendezvous. Additionally, we have had more new volunteers for next year’s Committee. (And we can always use more hands, so please feel free to get in touch if you are interested)

It has been a pleasure to coordinate two events this year – I needed something to keep me out of Kathy’s hair.  We have learned much from this year’s event that will make our 2022 Rendezvous in May the best ever.

Thanks for all your support!
J.J.Jones
Intruder
GB 42-529

Important Announcement about the 2021 Grand Banks Rendezvous!

Our big event is just three weeks away and we are looking forward to seeing you all at Roche Harbor.  We would have never expected that we would still be dealing with the effects of the pandemic. However, the reality is we still need to be careful, responsible and provide safe activities for all of our attendees. To that end we have made a change to the program that will allow us to meet more safely, comply with all the state mandated safety protocols, and still make this a memorable Grand Banks event.

The only change is that we are canceling our catered dinner in the big tent on the lawn on Friday. We do this reluctantly, but we felt, and Roche Harbor concurs, that this might not be the best time to serve a buffet dinner to 200 people in a confined space.  This is the only event we had to cancel and an appropriate refund will be provided to all already registered attendees.

We are still excited about all the seminars and discussions we have planned. Our Women on the Water training will happen as planned.  Our trip to the winery is an event not to be missed.  Our nightly receptions will go on as planned and even our Saturday entertainment will still take place as planned, only it will happen on the docks.

Our pot luck reception will be on Thursday and we ask that everyone bring heavy appetizers, enough to feed 10-15 people. As an added bonus, Roche Harbor has offered free moorage on both Wednesday and Thursday for our attendees.

I am sure you all understand why we took this action but we are confident that this year’s event will be memorable without a catered dinner.

f you have not yet registered, please join us! You can register here:
https://psgboa.wufoo.com/forms/2021-grand-banks-rendezvous-registration/

See you soon at Roche!

Registration is now open for the 2021 Grand Banks Rendezvous!!!

The Puget Sound Grand Banks Owners Association is proud to announce registration is open for our annual Rendezvous to be held at the Roche Harbor Resort 15 thru 19 September 2021.

Our rendezvous committee has been working feverishly to ensure that our 2021 rendezvous will feature new fun activities, and will be the largest collection of Grand Banks boats in our history.  Our no host Shakedown Cruise in May was a tremendous success with over 70 boats attending, so we are planning to use every slip that Roche Harbor has made available to us for the rendezvous.  So please register early to take advantage of the early bird rate, and we cannot wait to see all those beautiful boats all lined up in one place.

Click the link below to fill out the registration form. Payment (via credit card) will be due when you register.
https://psgboa.wufoo.com/forms/2021-grand-banks-rendezvous-registration/

See you in September!

The Official 2021 PSGBOA Rendezvous is on!

The Official 2021 PSGBOA Rendezvous is on for Sept. 15 – 19

Where: Roche Harbor Resort

It will be a blast!  There will be speakers, and BBQ’s, Entertainment, and A THEME!   Yes, we are back and ready to Rendezvous with all of you.

Details for when and how to register will be sent out very soon. Your Committee, headed by J.J.Jones, is busy inviting speakers on subjects you might find interesting plus deciding on music and food venues for you to relax and enjoy on the docks in beautiful Roche Harbor.

So here’s what you need to do until our next email blast:

  1. Set the date on your calendar for Sept. 15 -19
  2. Be thinking about this years THEME.

🎶🎵🎶“OH CANADA! “🎶🎵🎶
Since we can’t go to Canada let’s bring it to us,eh?
Dress like a Canadian,eh?
Decorate your boat like a Canadian,eh?
Bear spray,eh?
Use your imagination  eh?
There will be prizes for sure, eh?

Typically we open registration 2 months in advance.  So, stay tuned and if you have something to offer in the way of being a presenter, or wanting to be a part of our Committee, or wanting to be one of our wonderful sponsors for the event, please contact J.J. Jones at jjjones@jjjonesjr.com and he will direct you to the committee member in charge.

Now put your thinking caps on, eh?

2021 Shakedown Cruise Update

The first ever Grand Banks Shakedown Cruise Is Just Three Weeks Away!!!

If you have not registered, please do so by April 23rd.  On the 24th we will send the list of attendees to Roche Harbor to enable slip assignments.  That will act as your reservation, but remember to check in at arrival on the VHF radio and tell them you are attending the Grand Banks Event.  Roche Harbor staff will be making rounds on the dock to collect moorage fees.

We have had a great response to this event and are expecting 80 plus boats for a No Host event.  We cannot wait to see everyone after the 2-year hiatus.  The good news is that Roche Harbor has agreed to put out the barges, tents (without sides), and the BBQ grills so we can have a place to gather yet maintain our social distancing.  Hopefully by the September Rendezvous we will be able to gather without restrictions.  Please also remember there are no planned seminars (you’ll have to wait until September!).

We are planning a unique game that will require you actually put your tender in the water so be prepared.  There will be Vessel Safety checks available for those who would like to get one and it looks like all the resort facilities will be open with the exception of the Madrona Grill and pool.

Don’t forget to sign up by the 23rd.  Be safe and we’ll see you soon.

Any questions, please contact J.J.Jones at jjjones@jjjonesjr.com

https://psgboa.wufoo.com/forms/2021-shakedown-cruise-registration/

2021 Shakedown Cruise Registration

It’s Here! The first Grand Banks Shakedown Cruise to Roche Harbor!

We have had an overwhelming response to our survey and are excited to announce that we expect over 60 boats at our first ever GB Shakedown Cruise, and it looks like we may exceed 100 boats for the GB Rendezvous in September. Please spread the word to all your GB friends that this year’s PSGBOA events are not to be missed!!

Now it’s time for you to register for the Shakedown Cruise:

May 5-9, 2021

A No Host Event with Socially Responsible activities and a great way to reconnect with friends.

Lots of Surprises!

One free night of moorage provided by Roche for attendees who arrive by Wednesday and stay through Saturday night.

Slip assignments will be done by Roche Harbor when you check in with them via VHF radio upon arrival. PSGBOA will provide them with a list of boats who have registered for the event so they will be expecting you. Moorage fee’s will be paid to Roche directly at the time of the event.

Registration will close for this event 23 April 2021

Click here to fill out the Registration Form:

https://psgboa.wufoo.com/forms/2021-shakedown-cruise-registration/