I have a battery charger in my boat to charge my batteries before I go on trips, would I need a NOCO battery booster? I saw that someone and I forget who, who posted that it is a good thing to have. So I was just wondering, thanks for your input.

I have the GB40 and it's worth the investment. I have a 4 stroke 250 Merc. and prior to that a 2 stroke. I would not be on the water without it.

I've had two occasions where I lost juice to the starting battery and it saved the day. I've also helped others on the water that were having issues and they were able to "jump" their boat and get under power.

I also have a gb40 one (2 actually).

I keep one in my truck and one in my boat. Never used either one.

It was probably ajays post that you saw it in as I know he just posted about it.

I keep one in the truck at all times, plus jumper cables. I haven’t found the need to take it in the boat, but I should probably get another one. They go on sale on amazon for 40% off or so around Black Friday and the other amazon days.

I have a GOOLOO GT4000 that I keep in the truck/car (because it is rated to work down to minus 40 degrees, which is needed here in the frozen tundra) -- and a GOOLOO GT3000 that I have on the boat with me -- I have had to use the truck/car GT4000 a few times -- I have used the GT3000 on the boat several times to help other boaters get their motor cranked up, yet so far I have not had to use it for my motor

-- I believe a device like this is a wise investment

(I have two only because I need one that is rated for use in the minus temps we get here)

Have used mine 3 times in last 3 or 4 years. Once for my motor, once for an old couple that was stranded, and once for our truck.

10 hours ago, gim said:

I also have a gb40 one (2 actually).

I keep one in my truck and one in my boat. Never used either one.

Same, they work too, had to give one of my Wife's employees a jump this past Winter, started their vehicle right up, no problem, allowed us to get it somewhere warmer where I could replace the battery for her.

Same as others, I keep one on the boat and one in the truck. I've only had to use it in the boat once, my big engine wouldn't crank and used the boost to crank it. It ended up being a loose battery cable.

I don’t have one. I have a battery switch so if my cranking battery dies I can flip the switch and use another battery.

Another GB40 owner. Used it last year actually to start the boat. For me it’s a no brainer.

Another minor benefit of them is if you lose power in your house they work as a pretty big power bank to keep phones, computers, etc charged.

On the lake last summer...buddy's ski boat battery died. He got out this little gem, hooked up, and it fired up the inboard with no issues at all. I got one for my boat, and also for my car, wife's car, and gave to our kids as Christmas presents.

Better safe than sorry.

10 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I don’t have one. I have a battery switch so if my cranking battery dies I can flip the switch and use another battery.

I also have a jump switch in my boat, as yet no need to try it. I have a Merc 250; in your opinion and experience, do you have confidence the jump switch will not fail if needed? I keep a small booster pack in my Trout boat which works with the Yamaha 20, but not my truck, and probably not the 250. This is an interesting topic.

A Perko switch is all well and good when you’re running all lead / AGM batteries and the big motor battery is completely drained. Flip the switch and you should be good to go. However in my experience it doesn’t help in the slightest when the combination is AGM and lithium batteries. That was when having Vessel Assist and now currently a NOCO Boost (or similar portable unit) is handy and can save the day.

*I appreciate the subject matter as a personal reminder to check my NOCO unit’s charge status.

1 hour ago, Tackleholic said:

I also have a jump switch in my boat, as yet no need to try it. I have a Merc 250; in your opinion and experience, do you have confidence the jump switch will not fail if needed? I keep a small booster pack in my Trout boat which works with the Yamaha 20, but not my truck, and probably not the 250. This is an interesting topic.

I’ve never had to use it. Back when I had a 225 Optimax with 3 sonar unit draws I had to use it often. It worked every time.

Been carrying the NOCO GB70 for going on 8 seasons now.

Hold a charge for a significant period.

I've never needed it for the boat motor.

However, I have used it to start an assortment of 'other' units.

Highly Recommended.

https://youtu.be/qwd7bFNTKwo?si=zgIg-mMyxaKFtl_Q&t=1043

A-Jay

I have a gb40 in my boat and a gb40 in my wife’s vehicle. I have a similar jump pack in my truck that doubles as a portable air compressor as well.

I always get excited at the thought of having to use them. Especially this time of the year.

I got to jump my neighbor’s hybrid minivan this morning, old school off my 4Runner. Jumping a hybrid is a little more involved but it turned right over once I figured out where everything was… Would’ve been much easier with a GB40.

Thanks for this topic, it really caught my attention. After reading everyone's comments and running some questions past Jig Man, I contacted the manufacturer for further confirmation on what size would be needed for my Merc 250. They recommended the GB40 since I don't have Lithium batteries, and for multi-purpose use and larger equipment, the GB70, like A-Jay's. I have a jump switch on my boat which so far I have never used, but a GB40 on board for additional low cost peace of mind makes sense. I've been stuck and inoperative on the water twice; once when the battery in my remote starter went dead, and again when a power pole fuse burned out with the poles deployed. I advise others to carry backups for these 2 items.

You can get them heavily discounted on Black Friday in case anyone is ever looking for one. They also make really good xmas gifts for people.

I keep jumper cables in the boat. Have rarely needed them.

Seems like we always need the elegant solution. I remember a story from back during our space race with Russia. Nasa spent $28 million to develop an ink pen that would write in a "zero gravity" environment. The Russians used a PENCIL.

To each his own. 😉