Question regarding battery location on boat----4 deep cycles, maybe 5

[joeycamaro]

Hey guys, I'm converting my 67 starcraft holiday deep-v aluminum bioat to an open bow side console. The side console is going to be located where the original dash is. I have a 36v 100lb trolling motor for the bow. I'm going to store the batteries under the floor. The boat is pretty stern heavy as is, it has a 90hp outboard. gas tank and 2 batteries back there right now.

​I want just the gas tank back there. So, I'm thinking of storing the batteries together in the center of the boat and I'm wondering if that will work, or make the boat unstable. It's a deep v aluminum, not real wide. I'm afraid to store in the bow only because I will be up there controlling the trolling motor. The boat is 18ft. I can say from experience on the water that weight placement with this boat is crucial. 2 guys on one side has the thing listing heavily.

 

[Watermann]

The main concern with batteries is having them close to what they are powering. Secondary is the worry over how much they weigh. An 18' SC with 2 batteries up front is not going to have a problem. You should not even consider moving your starting battery from the starboard side where it should be.

These boats list when a couple 200+ Lbers stack up on the same gunnel, every similar boat will do that and it's okay, nothing bad is going to happen you can't expect them to be like a cruise liner.

You should start a thread on your work in the SC forum section.

 

[joeycamaro]

Thanks. I'm actually going to start a thread today. Just been ordering everything to start the conversion.

The cables provided for my outboard are relatively long, so much so I have them coiled up. Would moving the battery 5 ft to the center really make a big difference?

 

[Watermann]

Not a problem other than routing all the wiring to the starboard gunnel and if your using the motors supplied standard cables (not lengthening them) then it's A okay.