I have a 14', 1974 Smokercraft with a 9.9 Merc 2-stroke (tiller) that I recently acquired from my father. Over the years, he tried different approaches to secure the battery and gas tank in the space between the rear bench seat and the transom but nothing lasted long.
I'm 175 lbs. and will typically be fishing by myself until my boys are older. In the interest of better weight distribution to get on plane quicker, would I be wise to consider moving the battery and maybe the fuel tank forward? I would be interested in seeing people's setups for a 14' boat.
If I'm better off leaving everything behind the back seat, what solutions have others come up with to keep the tank and battery from bouncing and sliding? My dad did something with wood before; it was quickly beat to smithereens and tossed. I was considering something with aluminum angle that is either riveted or brazed together.
Thanks!
I'm 175 lbs. and will typically be fishing by myself until my boys are older. In the interest of better weight distribution to get on plane quicker, would I be wise to consider moving the battery and maybe the fuel tank forward? I would be interested in seeing people's setups for a 14' boat.
If I'm better off leaving everything behind the back seat, what solutions have others come up with to keep the tank and battery from bouncing and sliding? My dad did something with wood before; it was quickly beat to smithereens and tossed. I was considering something with aluminum angle that is either riveted or brazed together.
Thanks!