mounting battery in boat?

[mrpike1973]

hi i have a 14' aluminum starcraft boat it has bench seats no floor. i up graded to a 25 hp motor with elec start. i was told at the dealer i should put the battery up front for wieght distribution. so i dont have a floor and dont really want to build one. could i just put down a small board down for the battery box use the side of one of the bench seats to mount it to where i want it. it kinda straddles on one the ribs in the boat. think this would work or any ideas

[BoxMN]

Yes, that would work. Just make sure you do use a box, so "things" don't fall on posts and create arching - that can happen a lot in front of boat anchor, etc.

Also, make sure you use larger enough gauge wire getting to back of boat, at least matching the gauge coming out of the motor. I don't even know what that might be, but probablly pretty large - maybe 6 or even 4?.? I would run that inside a plastic tube all the way back.

If you keep gas and anchor up front, and tackle in middle/front, that might even be enough weight to keep the batt in the rear?... just a thought. Good luck.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

And find a way to wrap your battery box and/or the boards up front..they are toe stubbing magnets

[mrpike1973]

i thought about the fuel tank up front but it would be 8 feet to the motor. dont know if that would be hard on the motor.

[coombia21]

We have a 14ft boat w/o floors and run the battery in the back. But we put the gas tank and anchor up front and that is enough to keep it down. Much nicer especially if you put a trolling motor on the back. It works great and it is easier when you need to fill the tank when you pull up to shore.

[delcecchi]

i thought about the fuel tank up front but it would be 8 feet to the motor. dont know if that would be hard on the motor.

Isn't the gas line already pretty long? I wouldn't worry about it.

[fishingstar]

putting the tank up front will not effect the motor at all. Moving the tank will be much cheaper all so. 2 4ga. wire that is 16ft. long will not be cheap plus you have one more connection to keep clean. Just pump up the gas line before you start.

[mrpike1973]

thanks for the replies. i measured today it would be 9 feet from the front of the boat to the motor. only reason i was nervous i was told the fuel pumps would burn out if its further than 6 foot. i used to have a 15 hp motor on here when i would plane out it would porpuise then if the wife was with no problem. i use a 3 gallon tank now but figure with a 25 hp motor to buy a 6 gallon. i figure gas is about 6# a gallon so when full i would have about 36# in the front but i also would have a 40# battery in the back i just thought by putting tha battery up front it would help but if i can save money on not doing it that way would be great. i got a estimate of 40 bucks just for the cable im a little confused now what to do

[h8go4s]

The gas tank will get lighter as you use gas, so really the best solution is to move the battery up front. But the cheapest solution might be to move the gas tank forward. Try it that way and if it doesn't give you the result you want, move the battery.