CAN A BOAT BATTERY UPGRADE BE A DIY PROJECT?

Written by Hank George, Silver Sponsor, Blue Heron Batteries

Blue Heron offers SDSA Members a 10% discount - go to BlueHeronBattery.com

Lithium batteries have been on the market for nearly 20 years now.  Beta-testing was done in those early years, over 10-thousand research papers and studies have been completed, and in particular, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP for short) batteries have now become the standard for marine, RV and solar battery bank installations.  Other types of Lithium-ion batteries with Cobalt and nickel constituents are less safe and have the potential for auto-ignition and explosion.  So, with that body of knowledge and demonstrated safety, is it plausible to build one’s own battery bank and install the lithium batteries in one’s boat?  I’ll try to touch on the relevant issues that question introduces.  This article focuses on use of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE PREDICTWIND LIGHTNING TRACKER FEATURE YET?

Written by Suellen Hurling, PredictWind

SDSA members receive a 20% rebate on forecast subscriptions, for a new purchase or a renewal within a month of purchase.  Contact [email protected] with proof of SDSA membership.

If you haven’t explored the latest PredictWind innovation, now’s the time to get familiar with their brand-new real-time lightning tracker - a game-changing addition to their suite of weather forecasting tools, available to view now in the PredictWind app. Whether you’re a coastal cruiser, offshore adventurer, or weekend sailor, this new feature is all about keeping you safer and better informed out on the water. The PredictWind Lightning Tracker offers near-global lightning detection, utilising an advanced network of sensors spread across more than 100 countries from remote land masses to vast stretches of ocean.

But what makes this lightning tracker feature truly remarkable is its attention to detail. It doesn’t just show that lightning is happening - it gives you actionable insights. You’ll see whether a strike is cloud-to-cloud or cloud-to-ground, the peak current in kiloamperes (a measure of strike strength), and even the charge polarity. This is particularly important when you’re dealing with positive strikes, which are much stronger and more hazardous than negative ones. For sailors, this type of granular data can influence your route decisions, anchorage planning, and when to dash for shelter.

DAWGS IN THE BAHAMAS

MEET THE DAWGS:  LORI AND DAN CARLSON

Boat name, length, type: SV BeBe Amel Super Maramu 53

Home Port: Well...  the stern of the boat says St Thomas, VI but we have never lived there.  That's where we bought and registered her.  We actually live in Holland, Michigan

Where are you now?   We are in Holland, Michigan

INTRODUCING THE NEW SDSA APP!

Written by Michael Benjamin and Allen Roberts

• Messaging your fellow Dawgs (similar to WhatsApp),
• Posting information and photos (similar to Facebook),
• Membership directory, 
• Member and rally tracking maps and
• Library of Zoom education recordings,