Winter is almost here and unless you're lucky enough to live in warmer environs, it's time to lay up your boat. With all the other things that need doing, batteries often get over looked. Even on a small boat though, batteries represent a significant investment. It pays to look after them.

Here are 10 tips for keeping your boat's batteries in peak condition.

1. Remove batteries from the boat and visually inspect to check for cracked or damaged cases.

2. Thoroughly clean the outside, removing any white deposits and dirt with a battery cleaner or baking soda solution.

3. Clean the terminals until shiny and bright.

4. If the batteries are flooded lead acid types, check the electrolyte levels and top off with distilled water if necessary. Just cover the tops of the plates.

5. Use a battery charger and fully charge all the batteries.

6. Keep the batteries in a warm place if possible, cold batteries will self discharge quicker.

7. Put the batteries on charge once a month to keep them fully topped up.

8. Before returning the batteries to the boat in the spring, clean the battery lugs until bright.

9. Never smoke or use an open flame when working on batteries. Hydrogen contained within the cells could explode.

10. Always wear eye protection when working on flooded cell batteries; a splash of battery acid could damage an eye.

Mark Corke