Sabre battery compartment

This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 8 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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October 7, 2013 at 1:49 pm #266086

Ub2m4
Participant

New Sabre FTD Elite in June. Just discovered this site and am working through the common loading issues that have been discussed. These are very helpful. My question today is about the battery compartment. All my previous boats had dry compartments for the batteries. I find that whenever it rains hard water is dripping from my batteries. Is this the common experience? The hatch is always latched tight. Also, for any work – like putting water in the batteries – why does the hatch open facing the back of the boat? For me, it makes it just a little bit harder to get in and do the work, as I cant lay flat and have to work that raised edge. The other concer is the storage space!!! I cant seem to buy enough gear to fill it all. Thanks in advance for any response. You do have to feel bad for anyone who does not own a Basscat.

October 7, 2013 at 2:26 pm #266087

BamaCat
Participant

I have the Sabre FTD as well. The lid does not have the lip like the other compartments so you will get some leaking. Yes, it would be nice if the lid did lay flat.

October 7, 2013 at 6:08 pm #266088

Ub2m4
Participant

Does this leakage have any effect on the battery longevity, corrosion issues , or in general ant other maintainance problems? Anything I need to be proactive about? Any after market products to minimize the leaking or should the batteries be housed in protective cases? Thanks

October 7, 2013 at 7:00 pm #266089

StevenW387
Participant

All I do is wipe them down and leave battery compartment lid open when I store my rig in my garage.

October 7, 2013 at 8:17 pm #266090

RazorCat
Participant

07 Sabre FTD. My lid opens towards the front. Tight squeeze either way. I drilled a drainage hole in the back corner of each of my trays for drainage, but I have the plastic ones. I went with Optima batteries, so no water to add. Might be an option down the road to go to maintenance-free batteries. And I added a remote charging plug so I just plug in without having to open the bilge. You can buy aftermarket rubber gasket with a raised lip to replace the flat (Grainger), but the water really doesnt have anywhere to go unless you added a drain hole which means drilling (which I hate doing to my baby). BassTracker has a grommet and hose setup that could be used if you chose to add a drain. Other than being a pain to wipe out when wet Ive never really experienced an issue from the bilge getting water in it.Hope you enjoy your Sabre. Hands down, one of the best boats on the water. The others are all BCB too.

October 7, 2013 at 9:09 pm #266091

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Razor Cat, I cant believe you would openly suggest drilling a hole in a Bass Cat!! I hope nothing bad happens to you, or worse yet, I hope nothing bad happens to me for staring this post. By the way, where exactly would you drill the hole and where would it empty?

October 7, 2013 at 9:32 pm #266092

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

NOT in the boat! He drilled a corner on his plastic battery tray. These are stock and some have aluminum upgraded trays.

October 8, 2013 at 12:49 am #266093

Ub2m4
Participant

Sorry, I meant the drain hole that he did not drill. Perhaps the one that Bass Cat should have put in. It is still aggravating to have a dripping wet battery compartment.

October 8, 2013 at 1:11 am #266094

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Id drill in the rear in the center along the flat part where the lid rest. The drain grommet I saw on the BT boat was roughly 1/2″ diameter with a flat tapered flange. Just hang the hose down into the bilge. Might work. Now youve got me thinking about trying it. I get pics if I do. Speaking of drilling, you should have seen me the day I drilled the 1 1/4″ hole for my remote charger plug. My wife said I took less time painting the house. Hate drills and my boat.

October 8, 2013 at 3:28 am #266095

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

most boats this is the bilge area and is not a sealed compartment. The water drains here to pump out. This is very common and all Bass Cat models also share this characteristic.
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