Battery Set Up

[Fish Hunter]

I currently have a Champion Fish Hunter with a three battery set up all in the rear compartment of the boat. Two batteries run a Motor Guide 62 # thurst trolling motor. The other runs 2 X-85 Lowrance units, starts the motors and powers every thing else. Going to be installing a Panther Model 35 for my 9.9 Merc as soon as I get the time. Seems like to much pull on that one battery to me. Wanted opions on whether I should add a fouth battery. My boat already has a hard time getting up on plane, because I am in Colorado where air is rare and have played the prop game for the past year so any addtional weight is a concern. Should I move the trolling motor battries up front and take up valuable storage space. If I add a fourth battery I will need to keep it charged. Currently have a CSI 10 X 2 charger for the troling motor batteries. Should I add a CSI Dual Pro for the starting battery and the new one, what other options are there.

Just full of questions tonight. Any and all help would be appriceated.

PUZZLED IN COLORADO?

[Terry/JNR]

Most guys seem to just run a 24 group size batt for the main motor and accessories. If this is your case, I'd try running a group 27 dual purpose batt with more reserve time. You'll have less chance of running the battery down. Your other choice would be as you said, add a 2nd batt. If you add a batt, I'd jumper it to the first one so it charges when your main motor is running, too.
Trim tabs, a transom jack or just playing with the hight of your motor on the transom may help your planing problem without having to rearange storage.