I'm in the process of moving my batteries into the port side wet locker in the back of the head in my H260. In the process of checking all the surrounding bulkheads for thickness and construction I noticed a small notch cut out on the bottom of the forward wall, below where the anti-siphon hoses go into the locker. You have to use a mirror to see this as the space is very narrow and back in the corner of the head. This appears to be where it was intended the "wet" from the locker would exit into the bilge. However, there is a fiberglass flange (wall) behind the notch and in assembling the fiberglass liner pieces, someone either forgot to drill through the flange at the edge of the fiberglass liner, or the designer forgot to put a hole on the plans. The wet locker holds water very tightly. So, after exploring in the bilge, ( I used a mirror and flashlight cuz I'm not that small... ;^) to be sure I wouldn't drill through something like the balast tank or the waste hose. I drilled through the fiberglass flange. (see the attached photo) I will now probably make the hole a little larger so it does not plug up easily. You may want to check your wetlocker to see if you have a drain hole that works. In the next few days I'll make a mold of the bottom of the locker with plastic sheeting, then create a foam insert to fit into the bottom 5 inches, to built up a flat surface. Then I'll move my batteries into the locker. An engineer in our office said the foam plug should easily hold and distribute the weight of the batteries. The battery cables then run through the bilge over to the galley cabinet and up to the switch panel. This will help remove the starboard list caused by the batteries and motor on the same side. I'll take pictures of the project along the way and put them in the photo forum here and on my sailing web site. Brigg
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You may want to reconsider
When ever you change the distribution of weight on any boat, remember you want to keep it balanced. Crazy Dave
When ever you change the distribution of weight on any boat, remember you want to keep it balanced. Crazy Dave
True, BUT
True, but hanging a 125 pound 4-stroke 9.9 hp outboard on the starboard side and adding two 45lb batteries on the same side has already so far exceeded the designed weight pattern that moving 90 pounds of that to the port side can do nothing but help. The boat was not designed to list 10 degrees to starboard sitting at the dock.
True, but hanging a 125 pound 4-stroke 9.9 hp outboard on the starboard side and adding two 45lb batteries on the same side has already so far exceeded the designed weight pattern that moving 90 pounds of that to the port side can do nothing but help. The boat was not designed to list 10 degrees to starboard sitting at the dock.
Hi Brigg
I read your notes on changing the location of the batteries and it caught my attention cause I was thinking of doing the same thing my self. I was interested in knowing why you chose the wet locker as I am having some trouble in deciding where to put my batteries. You may remember that I have previously removed my MSD/holding tank. I was going to place the batteries on the wood surface that held the holding tank but figured it would still be difficult to service the batteries, even though it would still be close enough to the motor's cable for the electric start. My current thought is in the cabin on the port side under the seat where it would be closest to the center of the boat and removal and installation would be very easy. Appreciate your thoughts. Bob
I read your notes on changing the location of the batteries and it caught my attention cause I was thinking of doing the same thing my self. I was interested in knowing why you chose the wet locker as I am having some trouble in deciding where to put my batteries. You may remember that I have previously removed my MSD/holding tank. I was going to place the batteries on the wood surface that held the holding tank but figured it would still be difficult to service the batteries, even though it would still be close enough to the motor's cable for the electric start. My current thought is in the cabin on the port side under the seat where it would be closest to the center of the boat and removal and installation would be very easy. Appreciate your thoughts. Bob
Hey Bob...
I have a '98 H26 but I think the seat configuration is the same as your 260. I'm in the process of moving my batteries right now and found I couldn't fit a group 27 battery box with cover under the seats. On the 26 there's a large area under the V berth (which I think is where your water tank is located). I ended up glassing in a platform there and can easily get to the area when the table is raised to the roof. I feel this will balance the boat out nicely, as Brigg mentioned with 2 50# batteries and a 100# 9.9 4stroke the boat squats and lists badly. If you plan on putting your batteries under the seats, check your clearance beforehand. Good luck, Jim
I have a '98 H26 but I think the seat configuration is the same as your 260. I'm in the process of moving my batteries right now and found I couldn't fit a group 27 battery box with cover under the seats. On the 26 there's a large area under the V berth (which I think is where your water tank is located). I ended up glassing in a platform there and can easily get to the area when the table is raised to the roof. I feel this will balance the boat out nicely, as Brigg mentioned with 2 50# batteries and a 100# 9.9 4stroke the boat squats and lists badly. If you plan on putting your batteries under the seats, check your clearance beforehand. Good luck, Jim
Hey Jim
Would like to see a picture of your battery platform when you're done. PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Would like to see a picture of your battery platform when you're done. PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Batteries and Balance
Since I have a Porta-Pottie, I was able to install a second battery on the port side behind the main berth. I service them one a year (the Honda has a charging circuit), and it's not that bad. I take out the cushions in the main berth, and I can have the batteries out, checked, and back in about 30 minutes. The Honda is not a light outboard, yet, for some reason, I get only about 1-2 degrees of list on the inclinometer when no one is on board (see photo). If you decide to move the batteries, remember that you should beef up the battery cables, as the runs will be longer. Ray Trombino
Since I have a Porta-Pottie, I was able to install a second battery on the port side behind the main berth. I service them one a year (the Honda has a charging circuit), and it's not that bad. I take out the cushions in the main berth, and I can have the batteries out, checked, and back in about 30 minutes. The Honda is not a light outboard, yet, for some reason, I get only about 1-2 degrees of list on the inclinometer when no one is on board (see photo). If you decide to move the batteries, remember that you should beef up the battery cables, as the runs will be longer. Ray Trombino
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Herd them Doggies (Batteries)!!
I've finally completed tha first stage of herding my batteries into the wet locker. I built a raised floor out of 3 sections of 2" insulating foam from "you know where-depot". I started off in the wrong direction with trying a squirt can of insulating foam, which did not work out. Lucky for me, I first lined the bottom of the locker with plastic so I could remove the foamy mess. Cutting the 2' by 4' sheet into pieces worked out much better, though I recommend you do it outdoors with a good wind to blow the little foam pieces into the neighbor's yard. It now looks like it snowed on MY deck. After I got about 7" of raised foam floor, I put the batteries inside the locker to see if the sheeting would compress, or any other disaster that might happen. All went well, (see the picture). You can just see the new floor to the right of the batteries. I then tried my two battery boxes with the batteries inside. Things are a little to tight and I'll have to play with the configuration a little more this weekend. I'll try taking out the wood corner braces and replace them with aluminum "L" brackets for more room. I also need to modify (read cut away) the outside back corner of the back battery box to give a little more room. I'll epoxy it shut again when I get the right shape. This weekend I'll put more pictures and a longer explination here in the photo project section and on my own sailing web site. Inventing is such great fun. Brigg...
I've finally completed tha first stage of herding my batteries into the wet locker. I built a raised floor out of 3 sections of 2" insulating foam from "you know where-depot". I started off in the wrong direction with trying a squirt can of insulating foam, which did not work out. Lucky for me, I first lined the bottom of the locker with plastic so I could remove the foamy mess. Cutting the 2' by 4' sheet into pieces worked out much better, though I recommend you do it outdoors with a good wind to blow the little foam pieces into the neighbor's yard. It now looks like it snowed on MY deck. After I got about 7" of raised foam floor, I put the batteries inside the locker to see if the sheeting would compress, or any other disaster that might happen. All went well, (see the picture). You can just see the new floor to the right of the batteries. I then tried my two battery boxes with the batteries inside. Things are a little to tight and I'll have to play with the configuration a little more this weekend. I'll try taking out the wood corner braces and replace them with aluminum "L" brackets for more room. I also need to modify (read cut away) the outside back corner of the back battery box to give a little more room. I'll epoxy it shut again when I get the right shape. This weekend I'll put more pictures and a longer explination here in the photo project section and on my own sailing web site. Inventing is such great fun. Brigg...
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