Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

[0976claxton]

Just got a new 40 HP for my Mark III. Never owned an electric start motor before. Purchased a 12V Marine battery with box to prevent from getting wet. Not sure where it would be best to mount the battery at. I want to be sure that it is very secure. I'm envisioning putting it up near the front (at the end of the aluminum flooring) to help out with the weight distribution. Anyone have some thoughts or first hand experience they would like to share??

 

[Syzygy]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

On my old Futura MK2, I had the tank and the battery in the back. Initially, I thought it was going to be too much weight aft, but my engine cables were not long enough to go very far and I did not want to extend them. In the end, it worked out fine.

Good luck-

 

[0976claxton]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

Thanks Syzygy. I just realized that I should let everyone know that I have a tiller steering motor, which means that all 155 lbs of me will be in the back. I could see how your setup works really well for you.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

On my old Futura MK2, I had the tank and the battery in the back. Initially, I thought it was going to be too much weight aft, but my engine cables were not long enough to go very far and I did not want to extend them. In the end, it worked out fine.

Good luck-

Will not work well with a tiller handle set up specially when boating alone, too much weight at aft. Engines does not have very long cables, so should be near engine, if old futura does not have a very point nose so to fit properly, place tank at bow, probably will need to extend the hose a bit, pass the hose sideways from tank to engine, no good through middle deck.

Happy Boating

 

[Syzygy]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

Thanks Syzygy. I just realized that I should let everyone know that I have a tiller steering motor, which means that all 155 lbs of me will be in the back. I could see how your setup works really well for you.

Just get a much smaller battery. You only need about 300 cold cranking amps to start a 50hp motor (according to Tohatsu). Just get a smaller -lighter 12vt battery (golf cart, perhaps) and keep the weight down aft.

S-

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

Extend the battery cable and strap the battery down using the track system. If you have any benches installed it may fit nicely underneath and out of the way, but my battery box was too tall. My battery went in front of the rear bench until I extended the cables so it could go farther forward.

I know you don't have a remote control set up, but here is a picture of my current battery, gas tank arrangement. Obviously I thought it was worthwhile to move as much weight forward as I could and stowed it all underneath a raised bench to free up floor space. You can see the two aft footmans loops in this picture. My big plastic gas tank still gets strapped in there for extended range.

 

[riverandocean]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

I agree with Sea Rider. Too much weight at the stern is not good. I built an aluminum trunk to be used as a storage box and seat for my MKII Grand Raid and attached it to the floor tracks closer to the bow of the boat. The seat/trunk has a rain proof opening for the battery cable, and the battery is attached inside. I also store all necessary safety gear, anchor, lights etc. in the trunk as well as gear for the day. As well I designed brackets for downriggers to attach to the sides of the storage box. Works great.

Check out some photos here:http://www.my-inflatable-boat.com/inflatable-fishing-boat.html

 

[0976claxton]

Re: Battery Location - Zodiac Futura Mark III

nobrainsd - thanks. i'm glad i'm on the right track. really good to know that the slap of the bow and flex of those boards didn't cause you any heartache when you had the tank mounted up there. i see your footsman loops in that photo you attached. that's totally what I was thinking. i just ordered up some 1" footsman loops from WM. Dang, it always amazes me how expensive those little nick nacks are. Not to mention, the setup that you have for your rails. i've always liked that, so i ended up buying another set for good measure. as for the battery...i've read about the bouncing being too much for those things. i have a nice deep cycle marine and i think i'll just keep it in back with me.

happy new year.