Battery location?

Nov 30, 2013
9
Hunter 310 Falmouth Maine
I have a 1999 hunter 310 that has a starboard list and I am considering moving the batteries from the starboard lazarette to the port lazarette. The question comes in the fact that the fuel tank is located below the port lazarette. There is a 1/2" fiber-glassed plywood bottom that the batteries would sit on and the plastic fuel tank is 5"-6" below in a separate compartment accessed from the swim platform.
Is there a problem with the fuel tank and the batteries in this proximity?
 
Nov 14, 2013
200
Catalina 50 Seattle
No problem that I can think of, assuming a competent installation, but how bad is the list? Have you checked it under different conditions of water & fuel load? Have you confirmed that the weight of the batteries shifted from starboard to port won't give you a port list?
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,264
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
I am considering moving the batteries from the starboard lazarette to the port lazarette.
Went through exactly the same scenario (with exactly the same boat) last year when my neurosurgeon stuck his finger in my face and said "get a windlass, OR ELSE". Man knows absolutely nothing about boats but I took his advice anyway.

Yes, I've had the same problem as you from day one with the list to starboard. Two house batteries and one starter battery on the starboard side were the cause.

In installing the windlass, I finally got around to moving one house battery (60 lbs.) to the port lazarette, wired it in parallel with the other house battery (also 60 lbs.), and ran cables forward to the windlass from the port battery.

In moving the one battery from starboard to port, it had the same effect as adding 120 lbs. to the port lazarette. The final result was my mast was vertical. The half full fuel tank and holding tank figure into the mix and make for a good balance. It's never perfect as the levels in each tank rise and fall.

Truth be told, I did cheat a little and previously measured how much weight was required on the port side to balance the hull. Used buckets of water and came to 135 lbs. Close enough with just relocating the one battery.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
cobblestones is the answer..... there about as heavy as a hin way (about 4 or 5 lbs) just move them around :stirthepot: :D
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
The best answer is to add batteries or move them. Best use of weight in a boat I've ever found.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,435
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
I've never had that problem so ignorance makes me ask - what difference does it make?

Considering you get an equivalent or greater weight shift simply by moving around the boat, isn't this a solution to a non- problem?
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,264
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Let Me Count the Ways .....................

what difference does it make?
......................

1. Lying in the V berth, continuously rolling towards starboard.

2. Sleeping in the V berth, dreaming of sloooooooowly climbing uphill with the ubiquitous forces of evil ever closing in.

3. The water on the sink counter always draining towards, and under the starboard fiddle rail.

4. Wondering just how drunk you are as you continuously stagger to starboard while drying the dishes.

5. Sliding forward, onto the sole, after falling asleep while sitting on the port setee :doh:. Those on the starboard setee laughing their fool heads off :dance:.

6. etc, etc, etc.
 
Nov 30, 2013
9
Hunter 310 Falmouth Maine
Thanks for the advice everyone. Ralph my list was made worse last year when I got rid of the holding tank and head. I installed a composting head and regained a ton of storage under the port settee. I am rewiring anyway so it seemed to be the time to move the batteries.