The Rear
Careful consideration must be made to the vital equip-
ment located in the stern and bilge areas of the boat. For
starters, there are the batteries. While many pros continue
to experiment with alternatives to traditional systems, noth-
ing is more dependable and longer-lasting than wet-cell
lead batteries.
Anglers new to big water often fail to consider the
demand placed on batteries in this style of fishing. In many
Great Lakes events, I’ve found it necessary to run my trolling
motor – the most powerful 36-volt system available – at 80 to
100 percent continuously, simply to hold my place on struc-
ture. Only the biggest, strongest batteries can meet such
demands for periods extending six to eight hours.
I suggest 31-series deep-cycle batteries. They should be
tightly secured within the bilge area. Avoid placing batteries
on center trays intended for spare props, or other areas
where they might interfere with access to the lower recesses
of the bilge. In the event of a busted hose or inoperable
livewell pump, moving a 60-pound battery out of the way to
access the area is anything but convenient in 4-foot waves.
Batteries are only as good as the charger that maintains
them. It’s essential to have a charger that compensates for
power surges, temperature fluctuations and different battery
types. Select one with a minimum of 10 amps per bank, though
15 is better. And make absolutely certain that the charger and
all components beneath deck are absolutely waterproof, as this
area of the boat stays wet nearly constantly in big water.
TESTING G-FORCE
IN ROUGH WATER
Through the years, I’ve worked
closely with engineers at Johnson
Outdoors to increase the durabili-
ty of products coming to the bass
market. With Lake Erie as a testing
ground, one particular research
project involved sensitive scientific
probes to test the amount of
G-force experienced on my Ranger
Z520 while boating in rough water.
Each day that I ventured out
on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, I
kept a detailed log of weather and
wave conditions, as well as any
other relevant factors. Sensors
kept track of impact forces in a
dozen places throughout the
boat, with the data all contained
in a massive onboard hard drive
that was then downloaded by
engineers at the conclusion of the
project.
The results were stunning. For
instance, at times, the trolling
motor mount experienced accel-
eration of more than 14 Gs dur-
ing wave impact. That’s two to
three times the acceleration of
the wildest roller coasters, or a
Formula 1 car in a sharp turn.
Using a scientific formula, this
equates to the trolling motor (at
about 60 pounds) exerting about
840 pounds of force on the bow
of the boat. Conversely, sensors
placed in the rear of the boat on
the battery charger and jack plate
saw much less acceleration –
rarely above 1 G.
The moral of the story: Never
skimp on rigging procedures in
the bow. ■
JULY 2017 I FLWFISHING.COM
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