batteries mounted in the bow?

[ShoestringMariner]

I’m in the midst of redoing my aluminum bow riders floor and bow seating configuration.
I’m adding a second trolling battery to the system to extend my outings and to prepare for an eventual upgrade to a 24v bow mount troller (probably a Terrova)

Because I have significant weight at the stern (motor, kicker, starting battery and 2 fuel tanks),
I’m putting the deep cycles just ahead of the console panels, one on either side.

The questions I have are;

a) will this location be detrimental to lead acid batteries due to shock of pounding through waves and wakes? Do I need to go gel?

b) for weight displacement and handling concerns, would the batteries be better off back by the helm stations, or grouped together right up front in the V of the bow. I prefer the first scenario because I’m hoping to incorporate a small cassette toilet in the front spot under a lift up hatch if there’s enough room.

Thanks in advance

 

[roscoe]

I had 2 batteries up front under the port seat for years.
Putting them together certainly made the wiring easier, and it countered my weight at the helm.
I put small silicone cushions under the batteries to cushion them, mainly for trailering on logging roads.
They looked like a Hersheys kiss.
After I bought them I realized I could make them cheap, as tall as I wanted with a tube of silicone caulk.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Thanks good idea on the silicone isolators.
I agree on the easier wiring thing, but there’s often 2 of us in the boat so I don’t want 2 on one side.
Would front and centre in the bow be too much weight forward? And too rough?

 

[roscoe]

It should be fine, assuming your boat has "normal" adequate power.
I didn't have room (depth) to put 2 batteries center front.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

It should be fine, assuming your boat has "normal" adequate power.
I didn't have room (depth) to put 2 batteries center front.

I’m running a 1995 50 hp. Gets me 32mph with 2 in the boat. It does struggle to plane with 4adults, 2of which up front with one battery up there on board. So I know that is going to make it a bit worse, the further up I go the tougher it will be to plane I think

 

[PC on the Bayou]

I had all 3 of my trolling batteries up front and never had any issues. My original setup was in the aisle between the bow.

In my new configuration (part of my deck/stringer replacement and conversion to more of a fishing setup), i am putting them 3 across under the consoles.