Any Engineering Folks? Question Regarding Battery Box Placement

[miteofthesun]

Hey everybody,

This is my first real post so I'll introduce myself quickly. My name is Jason and I grew up salmon fishing with my uncle in the Puget Sound and off the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

I've always wanted to get into kayak fishing since hearing about it as a kid in So Cal.

Anyways, I'm finally at a point where I have my own kayak, and I've been outfitting it to get ready for fishing next year. I'll be buying my license at the turn of the new year. I've been out paddling every weekend.

I built a battery box after being inspired by this thread:
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=5176

I've been trying different things regarding where to store the battery. The most convenient location for me would be directly underneath the seat of my Malibu X13. There is easy access via the center hatch. The only issue is that it is a rather snug fit. I must push the box in with a bit of force, and I must pull up on the hatch area in order to remove it. My concern is that it may deform the hull, or stress the scupper hole area. The box comes within 2" of the scupper hole area.

It would be nice to store it beneath the seat, as I could retain the storage area within the semi-dry bag in the center hatch.

Does anybody have any advice? Should I go with it, or find a new location? Other options include directly below the center hatch, or in the front hatch.

Pics below. Thanks in advance!

Point at which resistance occurs:



All the way in:



The box: