---

I have a Dauntless 13, and would like to distribute the weight a little, currently the batt. is located under the rear seat and I have been thinking about putting it in the console, moving that weight forward would help I think especially when I am out by myself, and if I secure it well enough so it can't bounce around I don't see a problem, has anybody else tried this?

---

Yes, I did it on my 1972 13' and it made a world of difference. But then again I have a 40Hp motor hanging of the back of it.
I'll post pictures later this eve.

---

Moving weight in a 13 will always change something. Moving my gas tank or ice chest from stern to forward always makes the front ride lower. How much difference depends on how much gas I have or how heavy the ice chest is. All you can do is move it to try it or use a sand bag or even another battery and place them a little farther forward than under the console to compensate for the working battery still being in the back.
Mike

---

With my 13, it doesn't really seem to make much of a difference where I put the ice chest...so I keep it in the back between the battery and 6 gallon fuel tank. With a strong 40hp on the back, I have never had a problem planing or a nose high configuration. She usually just pops up on a plane regardless of the weight distribution.

---

D-

Many owners of 13's, 16/17's Montauk and Outrage's have moved batteries to the console.
I think moving the battery is good for weight distribution and also keep it from getting swamped. I did it on my Montauk and will do it on my Outrage 17.

The key elements are ensuring the battery is secure (box with a strap hold down) and the cables.

In basic wiring, the farther you go away, the more voltage/amperage drop you have. To counter this, you should replace the existing battery cables with a larger size. A 4 gauge set of wires comes to mind. It is very important to ensure the new cables are one continuous piece, no splices.

You should review the wiring in your Dauntless 13 and make a simple diagram of what wire goes to where. Note what changes that need to occur for the new battery location.

Fire away with any questions.

---

I have been thinking about moving the battery on my Outrage to the console.

ok here are some questions.

1 - the new cables that need to be run. What gauge should they be?
2 - obviously it it easier to do this run with the deck pulled. Can it be done with the deck down?
3 - can anyone estimate the total cost to move a single battery to the console.
4- what is the best place to buy the new cables as they are kinda pricey.
5 - and the additional cost to add a second battery with a switch.

thanks

---

I mounted 2 batteries in the console of the Montauk. A couple things I learned:

1 - I mounted them inside to the starboard side of the console. This seems to help when I am solo in the boat with torque and pitch at higher speeds.

2 - I made the mistake of not beefing up the underside of the console floor and after a few outings in gave way and pushed through. I ended up building a new floor and putting a cut piece of treated lumber under the floor resting on the deck for support.

Just a few things to thinks about for you guys that want to make the move.

---

Looking at the bottom of the Center Console on my outrage I would agree with Rob - it needs to be reinforced - Mine is kinda flimsy and under the weight of two battery's I suspect it would fail - I too plan on moving my batteries to the console. Weight is a consideration but having them out of site is also a nice thing - its a clean look.

---

Some very good information here, I would not have thought of beefing up the floor, is it much of a job taking up the console? After 40 years working as an electrician I won't have any problem with the electrical part, you don't have voltage loss, but you are right Phil that depending how far you are moving the batt. you might have some amp. line loss, the best place to get some wire would be to go to a electric supply shop and tell them what you are doing and ask for the appropiate size "motor lead", you want something very flexible, with the price of copper these days you will pay a price but it wouldn't be a place to skimp. If you know what you are doing you can splice new wire to the old, but you would want to make sure the splice was watertite.

---

I have added a couple of pictures to the photobucket, and you can see in one of the pictures how low the stern sits in the water.

http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn251/losis7/

---

Carlos,
With that big tank under the thwart seat you should sit pretty well. You should also be able to run for a week with that tldi back there. They sip gas.
Mike

---

I think the boat is pefectly balanced. It gets on plane quick and it does sip fuel.

---

For any boat with a center console, one good suggestion on installation is to cut the floor out around the battery box and have the box sitting on the deck. This also lowers the battery, taking up less room.

---

timely discussion: I'm pulling the wood from my 69 sakonnet now and plan to add a transom mounted trolling motor...also my fuel tank is under the rotting wooden console. I want to put the batteries 2-3 of them under the white fishing deck infront of the console...any needs/concerns regarding spark/fire protection with the 6gal fuel tank near the batteries and also with batteries under a deck that may have people siting atop/nearby?

I am planning to elevate the fuel off of the whaler deck (is treated wood ok? ) and strap the batteries on elevated platform in plastic battery boxes. other thoughts? thanks,

john
digitalvet

---

Do you still have to vent gel-cells?

---

I have all the materials I need to do the job, I just need to find the time. I like the idea of cutting an opening inside the console so the batt. would be sitting on the floor, gives it a solid base and also would make for a very secure mount if you made the opening very snug. I looked inside my console yesterday and see a round opening maybe six inches across with a cover glued in no idea what that is. I do wonder a little bit if having the batt. under there could cause some corrosion problems with other electrical connections, in my dauntless 13 it is a small space.

---

D -

While I am not an expert on the Dauntless 13 model, from your description it sounds like the round opening is the sprue hole.

The sprue hole is a hole in the deck used to inject the foam during manufacture. When completed, the foam is sealed and a cover placed over it.

If the battery is in a box with a cover, I would not expect corrosion. Are there any vents/louvers in the console doors? If not, i would consider adding a vent hole similar to that which Bob suggested above.

---

I just started thinking about moving my Battery to the starboard side to see if it will help with the
torque lean I have to the port. It is a Optima Yellow Top. Any thoughts?