Mounting 12v7ah battery in hull...what is best?

If you've never been throught the surf, then I suggest doing it with NOTHING in your yak.

Words of wisdom

I live on a lake...so it's very "easy" to keep the yak where it will be used 99% of the time. I'm not into hassle...so bringing the yak up/down every time from Clearlake to S.F. isn't something I want to do.

For most of my friends that want me to go ocean fishing with them...it's like on wed they'll say "let's go this saturday"...which means I'm not about to drive 3hrs to clearlake just to pick up the kayak.

I am <hopefully> about to purchase a 2nd yak and will keep it at my S.F. place so I can get out more.

You don't think I'm dying to get out and catch REAL fish? I mean one's I can fucking eat!!!!??!?!? This is what sucks about Clearlake...fishing is hot...but EDIBLE IT'S NOT.

Ok all you naysayer's...just wait till the pix go up...you will be envious....time well spent.

And yes...I'm planning on doing a dry run with nothing but paddle. I'll leave the DC VCR and wireless camera in the car first time out I promise.

This is what sucks about Clearlake...fishing is hot...but EDIBLE IT'S NOT.

This is a total bummer.  I live close to Clearlake and never go there for this reason.  I am going to starto going in the spring for a little bass c&r.

BTW-I don't think anyone is nay-saying, they are just offering advice as guys with a lot of collective experience on big blue.  If you do end up with a Maurader, you will find it really ez to just put everything inside the hull when in the surf zone.  The center hatch can easily swallow an 8 foot rod.  Also practicing in the surf with a naked boat isnt a waste of time.  You'll learn a ton about your yak, and you will have a great time too.  We play in the surf just for the hell of it all of the time...its fun!

I'm just teasing everybody...as they are me.

I'm in no rush...but it's taken a lot of time to locate all supplies (closed-cell foam pool noodles, wetsuit, etc.). As it's winter...much of the equipment I need is NOT in stock and I've been forced to mail order it all...

No naysaying here!  Just offering up a bit of realism.  No matter how much any one of us has done surf entries and exits, we ALL dump still.  It WILL happen to you, it's just a matter of time.  I really don't think you can prepare any more than you already have.  And I guarantee that you'll change your mind on almost everything you've done.  There is no RIGHT way to rig a kayak, it's all a matter of personal preference.  All of us here do it slightly differently.

-Allen

here's my 2 cents.....

My 12 volt battery fits in a tupper wear. I simply punched a hole for the connectors. Then, I got a foam block and shaped it to accomodate my tupper wear. I gooped the foam into my hull to keep the battery / tupper wear from moving around.

I'm getting ready to try a 12V/8amp battery I purchased from Cabelas and am wondering where everyone is buying the 12V/5amp batteries mentioned? They sound lighter and possibly smaller. Mike

am wondering where everyone is buying the 12V/5amp batteries mentioned?

Fry's

-Allen

 Interstate battery store's have lots of sizes and chargers.
 mklein- weight makes a diff. if you're shlepping your yak up the hill at Elk, the stairs at Mendocino, or a long walk to some remote access. When I decided to dive and fish Elk earlier in the year coming up the hill was not fun. 20+ lbs. of lead,limit of abs, 1/2 limit large rockfish, 2-rods and reels,dive gear,fishing tackle. It probably added up to around 200lbs including the kayak! Flat ground with easy launch, no problem, hills and long portages, real pain.
 

I haven't seen too much on the battery mounting for fishfinder. The 7ah batteries are slightly heavy and I want something that can survive the yak getting tipped, etc.

Any ideas? I'm getting a small battery box, which should fit between foot wells inside yak...but how to fix somewhat permanently?

I have a 12v7ah in my P15. Had purchased this before seeing the AA battery setup. After all the advise I received from this forum I ended up not mounting the battery permanent. The battery is in a waterproof container and then placed in a dry bag. The dry bag sits in the nose of the kayak with a bungee snap hooked to the dry bag. It doesn't move and is easily removed from the kayak after each use. The location also leaves the hatch area and center of the kayak open for storage and other use. This setup will survive a roll with the battery staying in place. I can always switch over to the AA batteries and keep the same setup.

The center photo is from the 6" round opening in front of the seat looking forward inside of the kayak. You can see the battery in the nose. 

Awsome thanks for the pics! I have a small pelican case and will ultimately come up with something like to for my application. When Trying to use the lighter 8xAA battery it was not enough juice to power my Garmin 400C, and I wonder if the 10xAA would really do the trick and for how long. The battery from Cabelas fired my Garmin right up and I will live with a little extra weight that will be portable when needed. Thanks again.
Mike