I recently upgraded my kicker to a Yamaha T8 with electric tilt and start (killer deal that I just could not pass on) (This means I now have a great spare 8 hp 4s Johnson, but that is a different story)
I have been wrestling with how to deal with weight in the stern since the new kicker is adding yet another 30# to the stern of a 17SC that all ready has a 115 4s Yamaha and two batteries (main and a spare).
I have, after Woody's encouragement, decided to move my main and spare batteries to the cuddy on the right (helm) side. In part, this is to help compensate for the substantial port list when on the step. This will result in a net shift of about 80 lbs ((40 out of the stern, 40 added to the bow). I am concerned about chop shock on standard marine batteries. In order to minimize impact shock from chop and waves when in transit, I plan to mount the batteries on a platform and use 4 of these
http://www.avproductsinc.com/mobile-marine/ds-mounts.html model DS 60 (lightest they make) to cushion the platform from the deck.
Then I will run a new #6 pos and negative (common ground) to the stern main power switch. This will be a single pole/double throw marine switch. One leg to main, the other to the kicker. The other option would be to run 2 positives with a common ground with each motor on a separate switch.
Thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
StreamFixer