Depending on the batteries you have, what about the fumes from the batteries when they are charging loading up the cabin and causing odors?

 

I thought about that, figured I would mount them in boxes and run a vent hose to the outside somehow. Maybe use a fuel tank type vent under the rub rail in the front. Still working out the details.

 

Campers have sealed battery boxes, white rubber corrugated hoses that vent them to the outside.

Sounds like a lot of work for what you are trying to do......

 

my guess is that a couple relocated batteries wouldn't raise you more than an inch or so. you should put the boat in the water the way it is and mark where the water line is. then move the batteries to up front and see how much the stern rises. i doubt it will be worth the effort.

 

What about a water tank up front. My Formula's carried the fresh water under the forward berth (20 gallons) if you could ad a tank, you'd have fresh water when needed, weight in the bow when needed, and you could dump that weight once you clear the canal and get into the lake.

 

Here's how you do it.

Put some "Bow Candy" out on the bow while you're in that shallow section.







There are places where you can go and pick the appropriate "Ballast" to push the bow down and stern up!





Here is one such place to select the correct sized lady for the task.












You pick, small, medium and :wtf

 

:laugher: :laugher: :laugher: :laugher: :laugher: :laugher: :laugher: :laugher:

 

I'm not sure my bow could handle that much candy!

The boat is a Baja 260, the issue is not if I'm going to drag bottom, but how much. It seems to be getting shallower every year, so an inch or so really would be a help. Next step would be some aluminium engine parts but for now I thought moving the batteries would be cheaper. An added benifit is that I could move the battery switch to the helm where I can get to it easier.

I will look into those RV boxes, thanks.

One concern that I read about awhile back, is the possibility of the alternator not fully charging the batteries due to the voltage drop in that long of a cable. The article talked about doing something with the regulator, but I cant find any info on that now.

 

How long a run in the canal? Can't you trim your prop enough to keep it off the bottom?

 

hang an electric trolling motor off the back platform.

 

Trim up X2. Or bigger cooler up front full of beverages. You won't care if you drag bottom.

 

how about changing to AGM or Sealed batteries they are lighter and can be mounted anywhere and any position. Moving them to bow isnt bad but you need to consider voltage drop from lenght of cable and it would increase in size drasticly and 4/0awg cable aint cheap. You are going to have to put a connection point where existing batteries are to connect all accessories there or run them up front to. I would change to optima batterries and save weight that way.

 

Trim??? Isnt that what I'm supposed to hang on the bow?:laugher:

I have two spots in the channel, each about 200 feet long that are only about 18 inches deep. When I run the trim up into the trailer zone the prop pointing upward starts to push the back of the boat down. I have also thought about getting a Stern jack so I can trim up high enough to get the prop off the bottom without loosing forward thrust.

 

I have also thought about getting a Stern jack so I can trim up high enough to get the prop off the bottom without loosing forward thrust.

Does your boat have outboard power or is it an IO?

 

One thing not clear about your dilemma is, do you own the property where you are leaving with the boat making it your preferred location to launch? Is there another place where you can launch the boat with better water?

 

I am beginning to think Marky Mark's idea about hanging an electric trolling motor off the stern might be the best idea and much cheaper then a stern jack. Shut the engine off tilt the out drive all the way up and use the trolling motor to get through the canal. No dinging the prop or sucking in sand or mud. I have never used a trolling motor but they seem to have plenty of power when I watch the bass fisherman use them.

 

Boat is a Baja 260, 7.4 w/ Bravo1. I keep it on a shore station at my house. I love my house and where it is at, but it is obviously not without its compromises. I can always get through, I'm just looking for ways to make it easier.

The kind of stern jack I mentioned is for sale here in the drive section.

 

I had a low water situation at my place that caused me problems getting on and off my lift at low tide. Most of my neighbors were having difficulty with their boats at low tide as well.

We went to the county for help. The county dredged a wide channel so we have 4 feet of water at low tide in the channel. Some of us opted for dredging a spur from our pier to the dredged channel. I have 4 feet of water from and around my pier out to the channel now and can get my boat in and out all the time. My boat draws 38 inches.

If you have neighbors having the same problem as you're having, get together and see what the state or county will do for you.

 

get a stern thruster and mount it front to back rather than side to side.

 

Or I could mount it up and down to really get on plane fast:laugher:

 

another solution if boat has trim tabs they make trolling motors that mount on tabs and arent in way when in use