Boat Performance with Lithiums

[osmy22]

I am considering going to Lithium batteries (4) on my 2015 Stratos 294 XL. Does anyone know if the diminshed weight in the stern with replacing 4 27 lead-acid batteries with the lighter lithiums will affect the performance of the boat? I run a 25 pitch Mercury Fury prop upon delivery because it ran better with it. I am interested in knowing for before I make the investment in all-lithium batteries.

[mactlman]

tournament partner did that on his 201 pro lost 6-8 mph but dropped down to a 24p fury and lowered eng a little and got most of it back

[lpugh]

Lower the motor and 2 more inches of setback will restore the speed loss
Will have much improved hole shot

[musky/ed]

I had to lower my engine height 1/2" with the switch to lithum on my walleye boat. No speed loss,better takeoff.

[06 SB]

As mentioned, you may have to play with your set up. You should gain or lose 1-2 mph.

[CJ1]

I dropped close to 100lbs and just rebalancing the boat got me better holeshot and 1mph+ as I would expect. My jackplate runs best at 2 not 3 as it used to be. But that is splitting hairs as temp or a bunch of other factors come into play. CJ

[osmy22]

I appreciate the feedback on this post. I do have an automatic Jack Plate to play with the engine height to gauge optimal performance if I go with a Lithium set up....I actually have 4 31's! I am short for time with work and my next tournament. Current Lead-Acid batteries are still good, but almost reaching the 3-4 year life expectancy. I may just replace the factory MK 460 PC onboard charger with now the 460 PCL model. That way I will have the charger with Lithium capability.

[osmy22]

[mactlman]

I appreciate the feedback on this post. I do have an automatic Jack Plate to play with the engine height to gauge optimal performance if I go with a Lithium set up....I actually have 4 31's! I am short for time with work and my next tournament. Current Lead-Acid batteries are still good, but almost reaching the 3-4 year life expectancy. I may just replace the factory MK 460 PC onboard charger with now the 460 PCL model. That way I will have the charger with Lithium capability.

what TM do you have? go one 24 or 36v for TM batteries and get a smaller stand alone charger?

[osmy22]

I have a Minn Kota 112 thrust Riptide TM. I run a 36v set of 3 31 size batteries on it. Another Dual Purpose for Starting/Cranking. The onboard charger is from factory (2015) and charges all 4 batteries.

[mactlman]

I have a Minn Kota 112 thrust Riptide TM. I run a 36v set of 3 31 size batteries on it. Another Dual Purpose for Starting/Cranking. The onboard charger is from factory (2015) and charges all 4 batteries.

can get a 12v-36 volt charger now and go that direction less weight on batteries and charger

[Bjxds]

I replaced 2 G31 LA with 2 60AH lithiums, and at the same time added 1 graph and M360( have a 9 and 12 on bow with dual mount).

I lost about 3-4 mph and 200 rpms.
I have a manual JP and lowered it 1/2 inch and still playing with setup BUT, don’t really think I am going to get it back. I do really like not having to charge batteries every time and the 10 year warranty and the hole shot is great.

[John Hagins]

Your MinnKota 460pc charger will charge lithiums just fine!!

John

[Woody b]

It amazes me how much balance affects boat performance. This is true even on my small, slow boat. Lithiums are basically magic batteries. IF you lose performance just throw a bag of sand in the back.

[osmy22]

I appreciate all the feedback! I had the MK 460 PCL charger delivered today. I think I will we hang in there old school I guess with lead-acid batteries. It is the most effective, less-consuming fix to my issue.....the bad factory MK charger. With the PCL, I can always Cross Over to lithiums next time or when I have more time at my disposal. ��

[Fishfreq]

Very interesting! Every bass boat I've had always ran faster with a lighter load. With no tackle and nearly empty gas tanks they run WAY faster. Sure I'd be adjusting my Bob's Action Jack for best air pack, stability and stern lift.

About to change to LifePO4's and can't wrap my head around why losing 100+ lbs of batteries in back would slow me down, defies logic....? My boat is light loaded, no power poles.

[CJ1]

[QUOTE=Fishfreq;13204452]Very interesting! Every bass boat I've had always ran faster with a lighter load. With no tackle and nearly empty gas tanks they run WAY faster.


Me to, I fully understand why the boats run faster. Simple physics. Now for the ones who are running slower need to get the weight to the back of the boat and balanced. If someone is willing to do that, they should find the lost speed and gain some. I know I did. CJ

[Bjxds]

Balancing the load is very important; however there is a ton (pun intended) more storage space available in the front than rear.

[Madeintheshade]

Looks like one of the selling points for lithium’s being weight savings might cause more harm than good .

[DREWTICK]

about the same time people stared running lithium's they also started running 2 and 3 larger graphs on the bow and heaver trolling motors , most boats with 1 graph on the front and a old 80lb motorguide or fourtrex will run faster with lithiums with very little changes to the setup. most any boat can regain the 2mph loss with jack plate adjustments and run 2mph faster with prop work and some balancing of tackle and proper placement of the batteries
heaver boats dont usually see any loss of speed but do see better handling and holeshot , most that are running them for a while have seen more benefit in battery performance and have less concern about the weight