Emergency Question RE Batteries

[OnanHater]

My dad's 1978 '46 flybridge convertible is near Miami. The marina has power issues. The batteries can't be charged
from shore power because of Irma. I need to have the boat started to charge the batteries so the bilge pumps
will run.

I need to know which battery bank (port or starboard) runs the bilge pumps on this boat. The starboard engine
had an issue with refusing to stop, and I'm not sure it has been fixed. I can have someone start the boat, but I would
rather not have him start the starboard engine because he may not know what to do if it keeps running.

If the port bank runs the bilges, then I'm okay. I can have him start the port engine only to charge that bank.

I am 300 miles away, and it would be very hard for me to get to Miami in time to do this myself.

[Colwyn D]

Can you not run the generator instead of main engines?

[OnanHater]

Last time we tried to start the generator it didn't respond. I thought we had time to get it fixed, and I did not realize the marina's power would be unavailable once the grid was restored.

[OnanHater]

I also need to know how big a battery I need to start an 8V71, in case I need to haul a fresh battery to the boat just to get it running.

[jim rosenthal]

As it's warm down there, you could probably start it with a couple of Gr 24s or 27s in parallel, or one 4D. You could also start it with a good-size jump pack, which will recharge from wall current. I think that is what I would use.

[Boatsb]

If its 12 volts you need at least an 8d. Preferably 2 per engine.

[finatic]

If you can get a 120V extension to the boat, I'd go to Lowes and pick up a sump pump and enough hose to get the water out of the boat.

[Finalee]

Some people won't like this. But if it's insured why try so hard?

[Top Hatt Craig]

Our '78 43' DC runs the 12v panel from the starboard 8Ds. You could find out for sure by turning off your battery switches one at a time and lifting bilge float switchs to see which, and if you have power to your bilge pumps. Good luck.

[Pete]

Why not take a portable generator to the boat, attach the shore power cord to it using the 120 volt input, turn all 120 volt breakers on the boat off except the battery charger and let the charger do the job?

Pete

[OnanHater]

The boat is only insured for liability, so dropping the bag on the insurance company will not work. Apart from that,
it's unethical.

It turns out the right engine does stop, so everything should be okay. Thanks for the replies.