croakersmoker Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 I have a 1997 Bayfisher 16, I have the original fuel tank in the front hatch. I am about to repower and need to move my house battery forward to balance out the new engine. Does anyone store their battery in the front hatch? I am looking for pictures to get an idea of what needs to be built. I planned on making some sort of false floor to glue into the bottom of the hatch. I didn't have much of an idea beyond that. I was going to keep all of my switches and relays in the rear hatch, so I would just need to run jumpers from the battery back to that hatch. My current jumper within the hatch is 4 gauge. Do you think this size wire would be adequate to make a 16' run? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted July 25, 2022 Report Share Posted July 25, 2022 Croak, 16 Redfisher ...... I have the starting battery in the console with group 24 + group 27 trolling batteries in the forward hatch. The previous owner had the trolling batteries up there, mounted directly to the floor of the hatch ..... apparently they had been there for years with no ill effects to the plastic hatch liner. I used 2 ga. wire from the rear hatch battery switch / engine to the console and the starting battery. Not sure this is mandatory, just FYI on my setup ..... seems to be working well. jb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted July 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2022 @John B Thanks for responding. I was worried this fell on deaf ears. I'm worried that our front hatches are different as mine doesn't have a liner. Can you post a pic when you have a chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 I don't have a redfisher, but I would think about putting the weight up front I would go the console route. My reason is I put a trolling motor on the bow of my 20 LT and it is now running bow heavy. I now have a tough time trimming out when running at high speed. Your boat may not have this issue,but try putting weight up there like sand bags to simulate your battery weight. Better safe that sorry. Hope this helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted July 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 Thanks @polliwog Since I am adding 100lbs of four stroke to my transom, I was doing this as an attempt to balance that weight. I plan on doing some extensive prop testing with the new engine and should be able to get plenty of lift from the right prop. I am more concerned about eliminating stern squat when trying to float shallow. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do any testing until I have the new motor installed. I was hoping to have this rerouted before then. The motor will be on by the end of next week. I'll wait to move batteries and report back with my results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 If I were to put that much weight inside older hatches on the floor, I would definately reinforce it with a large cut out of starboard...1 " thick and even put a 1/8 " sheet of aluminum over it......this would prevent any cracking as it bounches....but, it would depend on your assessment of the hatches.... Just a thought... dc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted July 30, 2022 Report Share Posted July 30, 2022 I'll be anxious to see how you make out with your testing. BTW I did the engine change with a 4 stroke replacing the 2 stroke. The weight difference was not very noticeable on the 20fter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted August 3, 2022 Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 I'll try to post a pic this afternoon - been out of town for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Gin Posted August 3, 2022 Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 I have a group 27 and 2 AGMs for the TM up front. They are in battery boxes, sitting on the floor, and the charger is also up there. I also replaced my fuel tank with a 29 gallon that was manufactured by the original manufacturer and designed to go in without cutting the deck. I repowered with a Suzuki DF90, and this setup is great weight distribution. 1994 16 Bonefisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted August 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 7 minutes ago, Just Gin said: I have a group 27 and 2 AGMs for the TM up front. They are in battery boxes, sitting on the floor, and the charger is also up there. I also replaced my fuel tank with a 29 gallon that was manufactured by the original manufacturer and designed to go in without cutting the deck. I repowered with a Suzuki DF90, and this setup is great weight distribution. 1994 16 Bonefisher Great information! Do you have a subfloor in your front hatch? Mine does not, so I don't currently have a flat surface to mount batteries to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Gin Posted August 3, 2022 Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 I do not. They rest in their respective boxes straddled across the v. The two boxes are the same size. The Group 27is aft against the fuel take straddled across the v. The 2 AGMs are forward of that along the length of the v. Plenty or room remains up there for jackets and a landing net. I'll see about getting you some photos later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted August 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 @Just Gin Thanks! Pictures will definitely help. I am getting my boat back on Friday. I'll do a wet test to see how my draft was changed by the four stroke, then come up with a plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted August 4, 2022 Report Share Posted August 4, 2022 Croak - you mentioned prop. As part of the exercise aimed at reducing squat ( relocating batteries ) , I also changed to a 4 blade 'stern lift' prop from Powertech. Marcus, at Powertech, was a great resource and helped guide me through that process. I ended up with an SCD4 -16. Will try to get a pic of the forward hatch / batteries posted later today. jb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Gin Posted August 12, 2022 Report Share Posted August 12, 2022 Croaker, Here are a bunch of photos I just took. Sorry for the delay. The 'false floor' you mentioned is just a piece of wood for the batts to sit flat. I hope this helps. You have my email. Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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