I am currently installing a 24v 80lb terrova with ipilot and us2 on a Polar Kraft Outlander 186T. I am having some concerns when it come to selecting my batteries. There is not a lot of room for batteries in the back of the boat. i may be able to get two group 27 batteries into a compartment together, but certainly not two group 31's. I may be able to get one group 31 into a compartment and leave the other up on the deck in a box. I don't really like the idea of leaving one on the deck. Any idea as to what I can expect with the use of two 27's on a boat of this size? Will the 27's make it through the day or am I just wasting my time?

Thanks

Walleye,
Open up your mind to any possibility.

Most boats have plenty of room in the back for a couple of group 31 batteries.
You may have to move something somewhere else. You may have to remove a dividing wall.
You may have to remove a livewell. But generally there is room for the batteries. You likely just have to have more imagination.

Go to the back of the boat and take absolutely everything that is back there and not nailed down - out.

Then start considering your possibilities.

Good luck
REW

Hauger,
I've got 2-27s running the same exact motor. Last week I fished Friday evening for 4 hours in windy conditions. Saturday for 8 hours and Sunday afternoon for 4-5 hours in very windy conditions. A large portion of Saturday was trolling with the Terrova. The rest of the time I'm using spot lock or auto-pilot. Monday before I plugged it in the battery indicator on the motor showed 75%.
Unless you plan on 12-14 hours of trolling in heavy wind....2-27s in good shape will be just fine.

The 27's should be OK. I would however consider a 10 amp/bank charger if you don't have one IF you are a serious fisherman who puts in 8-10 hour days back to back with the trolling motor.

If you are not that hard core the 27's with a 5 amp charger should be just fine. I wouldn't loose sleep over it.

hawger,

it really depends what a typical day of fishing entails for you. if you are going to pull crankbaits at 2.5 mph into the wind for 12 hours with just the terrova on a regular basis, i would say try to get the 31s in somehow. otherwise, I think you'll be alright with the 27s

I do a large part of fishing with a terrova ipilot 80lb. model and don't have any issues with group 27 size batteries.
The biggest thing to remember is charge the batteries after EVERY use not after 3 days as jeffbilodeau stated. This would seriously shorten the battery life.

I have 2 27's that are on my third year with a Skeeter 1900 and used all week in and out of high winds using Spot Lock and moving around looking for spots to fish, fished Sat sun mon tue wed thur and friday 7 to 8 hours each day and when I loaded my boat on trailer saturday I had three red bars on my Minkota. I have two Interstate 27's running mine. If you can get two 27's in one spot use them.