When wiring a boat what do you use as ground?

Question

I am wiring a boat and am not sure what I use to ground the system. Any Answers out there?

Answer 1

Hondu is correct, but you won't have to run a gazillion +, and - wires from the battery to the "dash".  

From the battery, run two 10 gage wires to your control location. The "hot" wire should connect to a fuse panel, and the "ground" you should connect to a "buss bar".  The buss bar is nothing more than a piece of aluminum, or brass bar stock you can s***w terminals into.

Power all accessories via the fuse box and ground buss. Items such as bilge pump, and such which are close to the battery, ground there. Items closer to dash, and bow ground at the buss.

If this is an aluminum farmed pontoon boat, ground battery to frame, and it will become the buss!

Answer 2

engine block and the negitive on your battery

Answer 3

Unlike a car where you can use the frame or body as well as the engine for ground, you have to run extra ground wire from engine or battery to any remote locations.

Answer 4

Deck.

Answer 5

negative on the battery