2004 130 Sport: Relocating Battery
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 12:31 pm
I'm considering relocating the battery on my 2004 130 Sport from its current location on the starboard side to the port side underneath the forward seat in order to reduce the tendency for the boat to list to starboard at rest. The boat, which has bottom paint, is kept in the water year round at my dock on a saltwater river and has a tendency to accumulate water on the starboard side which turns into an unholy mess of slime and filth. The water tends to pool around the cockpit drain hole on the starboard side which is supposed to be "self bailing" but really isn't.
The boat has a Yamaha F25 four-stroke-power-cycle engine, which, according to the manual, weighs 191-lbs. The information plate on the side of the hull states the maximum outboard motor weight is 204-lbs.
My thinking is that relocating the battery to the port side may reduce or eliminate this tendency to list to starboard.
Thinking this through, I see two possible concerns:
I cannot find a wood location diagram for the 2004 130 Sport anywhere online, and I am concerned that if I drill holes into the deck underneath the front seat there may not be enough structural support (if there is no wood backing underneath the deck) to support the brackets that hold the battery mounting straps.
If I increase the distance of the battery from the engine, the battery cables will of necessity be longer and thus may encounter more resistance, possibly reducing the efficiency of the battery in turning the starter motor. I know only enough about electronics to be dangerous, but I do remember that it is always better to have shorter battery cables than longer cables.
The boat has a Yamaha F25 four-stroke-power-cycle engine, which, according to the manual, weighs 191-lbs. The information plate on the side of the hull states the maximum outboard motor weight is 204-lbs.
My thinking is that relocating the battery to the port side may reduce or eliminate this tendency to list to starboard.
Thinking this through, I see two possible concerns:
I cannot find a wood location diagram for the 2004 130 Sport anywhere online, and I am concerned that if I drill holes into the deck underneath the front seat there may not be enough structural support (if there is no wood backing underneath the deck) to support the brackets that hold the battery mounting straps.
If I increase the distance of the battery from the engine, the battery cables will of necessity be longer and thus may encounter more resistance, possibly reducing the efficiency of the battery in turning the starter motor. I know only enough about electronics to be dangerous, but I do remember that it is always better to have shorter battery cables than longer cables.