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I bought an '05 Air Nautique 206 TE two years ago. I generally like my stuff bone-stock, and this boat had a couple of aftermarket items that I wasn't thrilled about, but I wanted a direct-drive crossover boat, it was in nice shape and had been well-maintained, had low hours, and the price was right. Overall I love the boat but I have a couple of questions as it relates to the batteries. I include some information about the sound system for background.
I am the third owner of the boat. The first owner added a sub and four large tower speakers, along with two additional amps to drive them (the factory amp that drives the factory speakers is still in place and functioning). During that process, the head unit was moved over to under the dash by the captains chair. All of the extra speakers, amps, etc did nothing for me but make folding the tower very difficult so I took it to a local audio shop this weekend and had the tower speakers removed along with the amp that drove them. I also had them remove the head unit by the captains chair and they hooked up the stock radio that was left in the glove compartment. The installer who did the work said that the previous wiring was done terribly and it took twice as long as he was expecting (and I of course paid for his extra time). I may have the aftermarket sub removed next year but I didn't want to press my luck with the installer that did the work. He told me that had he known how bad the old system was installed, he would not have taken the job.
The next thing that I don't love is the battery situation. The stock battery is a group size 65 and it sits in it's normal position in the battery compartment. I believe that when the first owner installed the new sound system, they also installed a second battery with a battery selector switch. It's the simple 1, 2, or 1+2 switch. The battery compartment on the 206 is not large, so the second battery in the compartment is an ATV-type AGM battery that's small and hangs on a homemade bracket in the compartment. Position 1 on the switch is the main battery and position 2 is the little ATV battery.
At some point my goal is to have my mechanic remove the second battery and switch and go back to the way it was from the factory with the single battery, but that won't be until next year. For now, I need to better understand how I should be using the battery selector switch. Since buying the boat, we have always simply put the selector in the 1+2 position and leave it there when on the lake. When we are done we turn it to the off position.
Is the 1+2 position the best way to operate that switch, or is there a better way? I have wondered if the 1+2 position puts extra strain on the alternator and/or batteries. Is any of that an issue? We aren't the type that sits in a cove that listens to music for a long time. We usually go to the lake for about a few hours at a time in the evenings. One person skis, we may turn on the radio when the next skier is getting ready and the previous skier is getting in the boat. We may also take a break for 15-20 minutes, but again, we do a lot of hanging out in the boat with loud music. We are usually going or getting read to go.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
I am the third owner of the boat. The first owner added a sub and four large tower speakers, along with two additional amps to drive them (the factory amp that drives the factory speakers is still in place and functioning). During that process, the head unit was moved over to under the dash by the captains chair. All of the extra speakers, amps, etc did nothing for me but make folding the tower very difficult so I took it to a local audio shop this weekend and had the tower speakers removed along with the amp that drove them. I also had them remove the head unit by the captains chair and they hooked up the stock radio that was left in the glove compartment. The installer who did the work said that the previous wiring was done terribly and it took twice as long as he was expecting (and I of course paid for his extra time). I may have the aftermarket sub removed next year but I didn't want to press my luck with the installer that did the work. He told me that had he known how bad the old system was installed, he would not have taken the job.
The next thing that I don't love is the battery situation. The stock battery is a group size 65 and it sits in it's normal position in the battery compartment. I believe that when the first owner installed the new sound system, they also installed a second battery with a battery selector switch. It's the simple 1, 2, or 1+2 switch. The battery compartment on the 206 is not large, so the second battery in the compartment is an ATV-type AGM battery that's small and hangs on a homemade bracket in the compartment. Position 1 on the switch is the main battery and position 2 is the little ATV battery.
At some point my goal is to have my mechanic remove the second battery and switch and go back to the way it was from the factory with the single battery, but that won't be until next year. For now, I need to better understand how I should be using the battery selector switch. Since buying the boat, we have always simply put the selector in the 1+2 position and leave it there when on the lake. When we are done we turn it to the off position.
Is the 1+2 position the best way to operate that switch, or is there a better way? I have wondered if the 1+2 position puts extra strain on the alternator and/or batteries. Is any of that an issue? We aren't the type that sits in a cove that listens to music for a long time. We usually go to the lake for about a few hours at a time in the evenings. One person skis, we may turn on the radio when the next skier is getting ready and the previous skier is getting in the boat. We may also take a break for 15-20 minutes, but again, we do a lot of hanging out in the boat with loud music. We are usually going or getting read to go.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
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