18 SC Center Console location

[Beaver]

I am getting ready to put a new tank in my 18SC and have been considering moving the location of the center console. I read one post that said a lot of guys were moving their consoles toward the stern for a "better ride". I have 90HP 3 cylinder motor (i.e. light) on the boat but when I have two 220lb plus guys, Ice chest in the back and weight belts in the back it gets a little heavy back there. It seems like it rides better with the ice chest in front of the console. This is whats got me thinking about moving the console toward the bow about 3 or 4" and moving the batteries to the bow end of the console rather than the stern end of it(I.e. shifting the battery weight forward a couple of feet).

Any thoughts? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Rob

[otterhound]

I have an 18' with an old Evinrude 120 up looper on it and the transom drains are awash with no one in the boat. I did move the battery as far forward under the console as I could which helped a bit and will add another for next year. I think moving the console might be a good move for your situation. I also keep nothing in the stern in order to keep mine light back there.
Rod

[erebus]

On my 1975 18 I moved my console forward maybe 6 inches? Thats about all you can get away with without impeding access around the front.

Here it is when I got it:


And here is the after. You can see its a little closer to the front edge of the fuel tank coffin lid. (sorry it was the best picture I had of the console)


I also mounted two group 24 batteries (I like redundancy) under the seat/hatch in the front of the console.
With my lard ass driving and the wife with me on the leaning post or sitting on the console seat, she's pretty balanced.

New poly fuel tank also lives at the forward end of the coffin. Was about 12 inches shorter than the coffin itself, so it got mounted with a forward bias.

I also cut out the rear livewell in its entirety (Its a pretty heavy lump of fiberglass!) and made a lip around the edge to keep water from draining into the bilge. Stern anchor bucket, brush, fenders, bilge pump, washdown pump etc live down there now.

[rickg]

I don't remember how far forward I moved my console but I have 22 inches from console to casting deck with 2 group 24 batteries under console and a new 50 gal aluminum tank.plus a 430 lb etec and my 150 lb brother on the back she's pretty level

[Terry England]

Originally Posted by rickg

I don't remember how far forward I moved my console but I have 22 inches from console to casting deck with 2 group 24 batteries under console and a new 50 gal aluminum tank.plus a 430 lb etec and my 150 lb brother on the back she's pretty level

The front backrest of Rick's console is about amidship. Remember, SeaCrafts will take a lot of weight forward and not plow. They always seem to ride bow high underway even if you have so much gear stuffed in the front they are sitting bow down at the dock. If it's raggity out you take a little more beating forward than near the stern, but the boat can deal with it.

[Beaver]

Thanks to all of you for your comments. Erebus thanks so much for the pictures. That about exactly where I was thinking of moving it to. Just far enough forward to cover the little secret hatch that goes no where.

Erebus, love your boat! Looks so dang nice.

[rickg]

Thanks Terry nice camera work!