Worth moving batteries forward??

[4winnsskipper]

I have a 18' aluminum fish/ski, with a 20" transom and 150 mariner on it. When in semi-rough water (1-3 feet) i frequently get water over my transom. Now i know this is kinda normal. But what im trying to do, is remove as much weight from rear, and move forward. what sucks even more is the build in tank is all the way in the back of the boat too... So i figured moving my two batteries in the rear of the boat, to the front, would help. I figure remove about 100 lbs of battery weight and put that 100 lbs forward to act as ballast. I've already installed splash guards and those have really helped, but i'd still like to gain transom freeboard since im still not comfortable with how low the rear is in the water... (why the heck would they only use a 20" transom and not a 25!!!!! so many boats out there i see with same issue, they cut the transom down where the main mounts...)

Whats concerning me is extending the outboard cables 14', i already plan to run #2's from the outboard forward, replacing the #6's the outboard came with.

But the cost VS benefeit analysis is tough, so im looking for opinions - Is moving the two batteries from rear of boat into bow storage worth the cost of all that wire and blue seas post kit? (100$ wire/posts) ??? Or will this move just cause me headaches and not noticeably help my low transom issue?

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

the fuel tank would be better to move..is it a center console?? or you could keep your passengers up front to help level it out...to test out the battery move effects..why dont you disconnect one battery and set it in the front and figue what ever difference it makes you can probably double..for instance if moving one battery you manage to raise the boat up 1" you could figure 2" by moving both

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

It's not a center console, it's a dual console. Moving the tank forward would take major custom work which im not prepared to do. Also testing the weight change isn't possible as it's winter and i want to finish the work prior to the ice melting so i can go fishing.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

That's one of those situations where all the opinions in the world aren't going to come close to one tiny little bit of trial and error.

If you move the trolling motor battery forward you'd have a shorter wire run so there'd be less voltage drop and you might see a slight improvement in performance of the trolling motor. As far as whether or not it will make a dent in your other issue, who knows?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

Maybe put a couple of 50LB. sandbags in the front, give it a run just to see if and how much it helps? I doubt much of anything is really going to solve your low-transom problem. That 150HP Mariner is pretty heavy. Good Luck!

 

[steelespike]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

Not only would the battery move help your problem I think it would vastly improve hole shot
and may even track better at no wake speed.Certainly stay on plane better at reduced throttle.
The bow likely will not bound around as much.If you have a garden tractor battery you could move the batteries forward and do a test run using the little battery.I think a test is important
I think a test run is important to be sure bow doesn't become too heavy.If it seems too heavy you could move to a more central position.You could just remove the batteries and test with a 100 pounder in the bow.I think the move is worth it just for the handling improvement.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

When I repowered I installed a 4 stroke which was heavier than the 2 stroke that came off. I moved both batteries forward which I'm guessing was around 100 lbs. This helped to offset the additional weight of the new engine. If you're boat is particularly down at the stern or prone to porpoising you might consider the move. If you do move them, be sure to appropriately upsize the starting cables to the engine.

 

[keninaz]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

Batteries can be vibration sensitive.
If you move them to the front of the boat make sure they can take the beating.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

Any Marine battery will do just fine up front. The key is to maintain the waterline of the boat as designed. Doing this will keep the CB (center of balance) in the correct place as designed. You can do this at the ramp with a digital camera or a cell phone camera. Take a pic of it the way it sits in the water now and then move the batteries and compare.

Everything about the way a boat handles and rides is relevant to the designed water line length. You can get that info from the boat manufacturer. Now that's not to say the the designed water line length is the best because each boat has it's own tweaks and quirks.

I put my two Group 27 trolling motor batteries (125lbs) up front in my 18' F/S and put a 150hp merc on the back. The boat rode great but it needed the extra hp to keep the bow up if I wanted it up like you do in rougher water.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Worth moving batteries forward??

like Larry The Cable Guy says when pulled over by the PoPo " What?, is there a fat girl in the back seat?"
Git 'er Done!