I got 3 batteries on my 268. All new in spring 03 with the boat. One exide 24 for starting and two Interstate 29's on the Ship Systems. The Ships System batteries have run the fridge a few lights, radio, etc for a weekend away on the hook - and no starting during the day. I can definitely get an afternoon/night on the hook with no appreciable problems.
For three summers +06 we have left the boat plugged in all week while the boat sat at the dock. Shore power on, Charger/fridge on, and I think Ship System circuit breaker on. No problems.
Now, speaking out of the other side my mouth, we started have problems this year with a dead battery. Seems the dealer wired the batteries wrong way back in 03. We have been running the engine on a 29 deep cycle and running the Exide in parallel with a 29 for the ships systems. Duh. The engine battery was found cooked dry this month when it failed to start a few times. I switched around the battery, but I think the ships systems batteries are toast. I charged them last night, unplugged the boat today, but left the ships systems on to see what would happen. The fridge was cold, the lights still worked, but after 9 hours, the batteries were reading 9.5 volts.
I think I have to replace them. If I do, I will go with the AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) - they are and upgrade from gel cell and pretty idiot proof.
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