[chesiebaydecoys]

i have an 18' starcraft '73(?) mariner that i'm refurbing. Since i'm putting an entire new floor in, i have the opportunity to put the fibreglass center console anywhere i want. What does everyone recommend as the best location for the console as far as boat performance and personal taste? My 'boat guy' says to move it as far aft as possible, but i don't want to move it so far back that it makes the back of the boat 'confined'.

[woody20]

I find that with my center console, It being in the middle set back alittle works great, but with alot of people and gear it can get really tight, so you need to make sure everyone knows to bring only gear for what you are fishing, not thier whole box. But I'm also a new owner of one. I had a 16' starcraft none open bow and that was really tight.

[Always Broke]

Hmmmm, well, it depends on what you want to do with the boat. Down here in the land of shallow water a lot of people put their consoles in the very front of the boat to even out the weight of the motor and get a shallower draft while running the rivers. The guys who like to fish the big water put them slightly aft from the center for more room to move around the boat and less spray. I never saw one in the back of the boat.

[woody20]

Less Spray, mmm, I got so wet yesturday I had to change everything on me and I was wearing rain gear.

[chesiebaydecoys]

that makes sense ALWAYS BROKE. I bought my boat last year from a guy in central florida (west coast). The CC was placed starting 10' from the stern going forward. I'm running this boat mostly for fishing rock fish and crabbing in the chesapeake bay.. running in ALOT of shallow water coming in and out of the bay. I'm putting a hydraulic jack plate from bob's machine on the back to help run in the 'shallows' w/ a new 50hp 2-stroke so the motor isn't overly heavy. So maybe i might want to consider throwing it right in the center. I'm afraid if i put it too far forward that it will affect getting on plane.. but i'm just guessing. I'm kinda new to this and appreciate all help / thoughts / suggestions...

[tashasdaddy]

balance your usual load. figure out where everything is going. too far to the stearn bow is high and hard to plane, to far forward bow wants to plow. where's the fuel, batteries,

[JasonJ]

I placed mine where I wanted it and used the batteries, fuel tank, front trolling and rear trolling motors to shift weight. I also had built the console on the heavy side to compensate for weight lost up front.

[chesiebaydecoys]

i plan to put an 11 gal permanent tank in the stern port and my battery in the stern starboard. i was going to put a 60" flip up storage helms seat across to back and then just the cc console (that has a built in seat in the front of the console). I typically just fish w/ myself and one other guy. except for electronics, i'm not planning on putting anything else in the boat. prob put the anchor in the bow. of course i have the hydraulic pump for the jack plate.. not sure how much that weighs but i'm assuming not much. i guess i thought there was a 'standard rule' on where to put it.

[Always Broke]

Hey Woody,You didnÂ’t get wet from the spray, I donÂ’t know if you realize it but your boats on itÂ’s side, I donÂ’t think a rain coat will help

[BLU LUNCH]

My 74 Wellcraft V-20 Steplift CC the console is just past center but my 58 gallon gas tank is covered by the console exactly dead center under the windshield. The boat is well balanced there and rides great.....

[BLU LUNCH]

You see the location of everything here I just got done restoring the interior of this boat.....

[tashasdaddy]

chessie, i think you are going to be stearn heavy, unless your fishing partner rides on the seat in front of the helm.

[chesiebaydecoys]

yeah.. i kinda seems like all the weight's in the back but not sure what i can do about it except keep the cc more forward. i was told to keep my battery as close to the motor as possible for easier 'turn-over' of the motor. i guess i can put the battery inside the rear seat which would effectively move it apprx 2 1/2 ft from the stern( the rear 60" plastic base flip up storage seat will be flush against the back of the boat). not sure if that will make much of a difference. i was going to put a permanent tank with a fuel cap through the back since i trailer the boat, it would be easier to fuel at the pump w/ a thru-hull gas cap. but i can put that in the center console if you guys think thats a better idea. then only the battery and hydraulic pump for the jack lift will be in the stern.

[DJ]

chesie,If you are going to err, make it on the front side. In other words, place the console as far forward as is aesthetically and practically possible.Too much stern weight is difficult to deal with later. You already have plenty of weight, in the stern. Forward mounted batteries are fine as long as the cables are appropriately sized. Keep fuel and batteries seperate.If you look at pictures of Starcraft factory centers, they were biased with the console slightly forward.

[tashasdaddy]

in the past i have put batteries under seats, if enclosed, drill a couple of holes for ventilation. somewhere the is a chart on what size cable to use for the distance from the motor. with the heftier cables it doesn't effect the performance.

[studlymandingo]

Placement of the batteries for voltage purposes is relative to the size of the cables you are using, you can move your batteries to the console if you use a heavy enough cable you will have no problem with cranking.