MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
It would be stupid to try and use a flooded battery for this application. Every single issue screams AGM. That otter slow down any controversy IMHO
Not to debate AGM vs flooded but I hate to tell you flooded battery's have been run in this situation for years with no problems. Not sure the OP's boat but I run 2 flooded battery's in the bow of my flat bottom duck boat which takes more pounding then any fishing boat could hope for with no problems. My current deep cycle is a 2007 Kirkland battery that is still going strong and the current starting battery is a 2005 interstate. I have an on board charger that get used to keep the battery's up between hunts but a duck boat battery has a ruff life in that it sets in the boat all winter long, is asked to perform in below freezing temps and hold together while the boat is being run through 3 inches of water with who knows what in the muck and crud below the surface. Every year someone hooks a rock or fence post which rips a hole in there boat. As for battery's in general the ride on a trailer tongue is not all that smooth and flooded handle it just fine. 90 percent of all boaters use flooded over AGM due to cost and ease of charging.
I would ask the OP why he thinks he needs to put his battery's as far forward in the bow as he can? Weight in the bow especially on a V bow boat can be a speed killer and effect the boats hole shot as well as make it harder to get the boat on plane. Putting a lot of weight in the bow forces it down when running on plane which means the bow is taking more of a beating in ruff water, its best to keep the weight from midship to the rear so the bow comes up and the wider part of the boat takes the beating thus improving the ride and reducing water spray over the bow.
Now you probably just read that last paragraph and said now wait a minute you said battery's in the bow are bad but in the first paragraph you said you run 2 in the bow. Well fishing and duck boats are 2 different animals when it comes to weight then add in a mud motor over a conventional outboard and things are not what they seam plus my duck boat is a full flat bottom which helps carry the weight of the battery's. My 5 gallon full tank is also under the bow. When running empty the boat is a little nose heavy but when loaded to hunt with decoys, dog, fat men and a few gallons of extra water she sets flat to a little rear heavy.
