distributing weight on boat

[brianis]

so i am trying to figure out how to put two batteries in my 14 ft starcraft because i have three good batteries in the garage why not put two in the boat. Storage on this boat is well very little ive got a rubermaid tote under the bow which doesnt hold enough with the bench seat cant put anything under or beside and i have one large battery mounted on the back right side and 6 gal fuel tank on the other which balances ok except i do notice a difference when me 135 lbs on one side and my 4 yr old on the other. I have a little space in between the battery and fuel tank but wanted to keep that for another tote. So guys what to do to make space and also mount the second battery i know its gonna be a pain to carry fish stuff and try to carry a tube so how to make it all work.

 

[johnnyClack]

Re: distributing weight on boat

And tell me again why you boat needs to batteries ?

I sometimes carry a second battery in my truck, if I should need a second one I run back and get it

 

[brianis]

Re: distributing weight on boat

i figure if its dark ive got fish finder on lights on and some kind of fishing light thats not gonna charge the battery guess its added comfort

 

[mxcobra]

Re: distributing weight on boat

get a 12 gallon fuel tank, and some misc lead weights

 

[sschefer]

Re: distributing weight on boat

My friend, you have asked the question that we have all pondered for many years but few have resolved with perfection. Making room where there is none requires one to be very creative. Your issue of loading the boat safely is top on the list of concerns. You're only 14' and it's tricky. Truthfully, you probably shouldn't do it. The reason that most of us get a bigger boat is because of what you want the extra battery for.

Now for the nuts and bolts of it. If you mount it up front it's going to take a pounding and won't last long. That would solve the problem of what to do with the extra battery in the garage because it would be at the recycler. You're going to need to find a way to mount it in the back if at all possible. I'm just thinking though do you think you can sell all your old batteries and get enough to buy one group 27 battery instead? It would only add about 30% more weight and a good one will net you about the same RCA's as two run of the mill group 24's.

 

[brianis]

Re: distributing weight on boat

actually im not even sure of what battery i got i bought the biggest marine one that good ole walmart had

 

[sschefer]

Re: distributing weight on boat

Is it a deep cycle, combo start/deep cycle or just a starting battery. It should say on the label.

 

[Sea Stomper]

Re: distributing weight on boat

And tell me again why you boat needs to batteries ?

I sometimes carry a second battery in my truck, if I should need a second one I run back and get it

Batteries are life. I have an ocean going 15 foot tri hull, I use 3 batteries. Two in the stern and one under the seat, all wired in and two battery switches. Each can start the engine, all can start the engine. Two in parallel run the electronics, sometimes for 6 hours without an engine start. Pacific Halibut fishing means long time waiting sometimes. Main engine start battery can start the engine without killing the electronics that are running off the other two batteries. 5 bilge pumps. Pumps are life in the ocean. Batteries are life when the pumps need them. The ocean is not forgiving.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: distributing weight on boat

This ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑ is true BUT...I don't think he will be taking his 14ft Starcraft out into the ocean! Your point is well taken, however, on a small lake, unless you are using a trolling motor for extended periods and all of the electrical, I agree with Sschefer that the class 27 battery would be the best solution for such a small boat.

 

[johnnyClack]

Re: distributing weight on boat

Yes, thanks Sea Stomper, I should have asked why two batt's in what I assumed was a cramped boat. I have read your post's SEA and I've seen your boat, your difficulty set up for the long haul.


I fish a 17' tinny, I have two batteries in my boat. One for the main motor start, one for the electric troll. If I don't use the electric, the batt stays in the PU for a back up. I also have Honda 9.9HP I use for my "Kicker".

Before this boat I owned a 14' tinny, there was not much room, when it came down to deciding between the beer cooler or a 2ND batt, guess which one waited at the truck