Lithium Battery Slow Down? How to Get Your Speed Back

In the first video we talked about the issues guys (and gals) are having with their boats slowing down when they add lithium batteries. Today, with the help of some experts, we dive into understanding the problem and how to potentially mitigate the issue of imbalance.
If you didn't see the first video it is here: • Lithium Batteries Slow...
#lithiummarinebatteries #improvingboatspeed #lithiumbatteryslowdown
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[@o.v.bonner7228]

Great information. Where ballest is stored is key.

[@JohnnyJenkins]

Another topic to discuss is the motor offset with the jackplate.. when I get Rick pierce tell us that his best performing boats have manual plates with no offset because of the cleaner water more grip on the prop.. how about other brand boats? How about tall jackplates with no offset?

[@steveparker7240]

I keep my tanks fuller, and I noticed no drop in speed with water in the livewells. With lithiums. My boat (2019 Lynx) runs a lot better with stern lift even with lithiums.

[@fshn4lmt493]

Ken, I have the same boat you used to have but I have a sho. I run a high five because I love Erie, it only runs 65 wot but it changed the hole shot and handling a tremendous amount. My old boat (Basscat p4) with a 3.0 efi and high five is an amazing combination for Lake Erie.

[@fshn4lmt493]

I also switched to stealth 1 lithiums along with both chargers, only helped my z521. I tend to keep pretty full tank for long runs and less trips to fill up.

[@TylersReelFishing]

SO interesting Ken!

[@todddivelbliss4706]

Add lithiums Ken and run your other gas tank full maybe move some heave tackle and should work out

[@af4od02]

Is Mr Pierce with BassCat now designing their future boat models to run only lithiums, 3 graphs on the front and heavy trolling motors? The bass fishing industry is moving that direction. Seems if you are going to buy or order a brand new boat, there should be a boat weight distribution layout or map provided by the boat designers and engineers. If I went to a dealer searching for a new boat, it seems the salesperson should inquire about how are you going to use your boat, and what equipment are you going to bring and number of passengers. This information could provide insight on the best boat model to fit your needs. I run the big Ranger Aluminum bass boat, a 198P with a Mercury 150 four stroke. It ran 58 MPH off the dealer showroom. I have since added 3 large graphs to the bow. I upgraded the Minn Kota 24V Fortrex to a Lowrance 36 volt Ghost. I took out the 3 lead acid batteries, and installed 4 lithium batteries. The bow is now real heavy. The boat at best now runs 50MPH. For an experiment, I put 3 -40 pound sacks of deer corn (120 pounds)on the rear casting deck as close to the Mercury as possible. I moved anything that is heavy as far rearward as possible. I cut back on carrying excessive tackle. I filled up the gas tank to the maximum. I usually fish alone, and practice catch and release, thus the live wells are empty. There was no change in speed or drive ability. The bow is still heavy. It doesn’t take much to get your boat out of balance. If I purchase another boat in the future, i will talk to the manufacturer first and tell them my style of fishing, and choose which model best fits my needs. Excellent video. Great channel.

[@rogerglasco5941]

Ken, Caymas bass boats have the gas tank in the center and forward in their boats. What do you think. I have seen you in a Caymas boat. What do you think. My boat dealer sells Ranger, Skeeter, Triton, Phenix, and Caymas. The sales manager gets his pick. He runs a Caymas every time. Why????????????

[@CentralCoastBassFishing]

I’m only a high school graduate but why move to lithium if it causes this problem?😂

[@randycooper2046]

Ken, I hate to further complicate things but that center of gravity is not just front to back. It's side to side also. When you are way off side to side it can cause increased chine walk. I had a 1981 Procraft and the co-angler seat was in the middle of the boat. That way the side to side balance was unaffected with the addition of a co-angler. Of course you had to balance the boat with just you in the boat. That boat was wicked fast. It would literally go so fast the speedometer pickup would come out of the water. The speedometer needle would bounce a few times then go to zero. I could back off the throttle a little and it would start working again. That may sound like BS but I have witnesses 😂.

[@robertjacobsfishing]

Very valid point. I have a boat based on the hull of an older Ranger and with just me in the boat it would lean to my side. Chine walk is something I really have to deal with although I think it has more to do that no-one ever expected to run a 200hp motor on a 16foot hull ;-)

[@kevinwolfe4632]

Ken Smith. Can u send me a recommendation for a real estate agent for zavalla?

[@fshn4lmt493]

Bravo XS is for Optimax 2 cycle, Bravo FS is for four strokes. Rpm’s and torque are way different between those two type engines.

[@JC-dt7jv]

ft-lbf is a torque (aka a moment by engineers).

[@tomkalkowski7053]

GREAT VIDEO! :-)

[@ClemonsBoats]

In the Bass Cat Jaguar I did this subconsciously. 4 lithiums batteries in the stern but filled the two back compartments with all the heavy tackle to balance. Jigs, terminal, chatterbaits, etc. all my plastics on the other side. All tools in the back compartment. And the boat runs better with full than empty and this video clears up why. She runs 78.4 fully loaded with two guys with the 300R. To add to your video - a wedge could indeed help some of these people. A wedge would simply allow the 250 pro Xs to trim MORE (they won’t let go over trim without a wedges) If you need more bow lift and can’t get it. I’m sure you have videos about this as well but just wanted to add that it may help “trim” your way out of some of the weight imbalance. GREAT video as always Ken 👍

[@fishindoc6025]

I have talked multiple times with my mercury mechanic about this issue. I have a z21 with the 250 proxs and sure enough lost some speed when i switched to lithiums. The 24pitch fury was the best for me before lithiums. If I go to the bravo xs.. what pitch do you suggest? Also.. does lowering the jackplate help at all? Thanks for this video

[@cephusminterfishing8808]

Ken, I have to agree with what you’re saying. My skeeter (2018 FX 20) is the most trim sensitive boat I’ve ever driven. I can trim my boat all the way down and and my foot on the floor and only get 55 mph out of my boat. Once I trim her up, I can get 75 mph. Once the back of the boat is out of water and the nose is down… you’re pushing water, and slowing her down. Agree, most manufacturers are not calculating lithiums or 3 graphs and up front plus all the other stuff. The nose needs to be out of the water and the prop needs to eat.

[@HunterThomasFishing]

my stratos 201 went from 76mph to 72mph when i swapped 4 group 31s out for 2 lithium batteries. one for cranking one for t motor.

[@stacenhartland9777]

Lithiums are game changers is all I’m saying. If I loose some wgt and upset the balance & a little speed,,, I’d do it all day everyday. Us old DC 8/727 load planners are right there with ya, especially on a hot day coming out of the SW!

[@c.shoefish]

I'm going through this right now on my 17' tiller boat, been moving my batteries around to try to find the best overall performance when on the water and while towing. It's a real pain in the ass...my best on water performance causes worse towing characteristics, which is unacceptable. I think I have finally found my combination of where everything needs to be though. Made those changes and will be testing this weekend.

[@michaelbeaver9126]

Crazy good content, I went to lithium and experienced speed decrease. Know I can run faster live wells full.

[@brandonwebb3648]

Josh at Steve’s custom props is the man to talk to me and my father have been dealing with him for close to 10 years at our marine shop and he’s definitely the most knowledgeable prop man I’ve met

[@williambaugh6576]

I was just discussing this with another guy just the other day. A friend of his put all lithium batteries in their boat and they lost 5mph in their max speed. We discussed how the boat is now lighter in the rear and he was unable to lift his bow out of the water and he is now pulling more drag and slowing him down.

[@robertjacobsfishing]

I think if you are concerned with Lithium why just not add ballast to the same weight difference close to the battery. That way you get the same math but with the added benefits of Lithium. Best I guess would be to reduce the weight in total and get the balance correct with less weight as that should equate to even more speed that you have now or reduced fuel consumption at the same speed.

[@haroldclark2190]

Very interesting, I just switched to Lithiums. Haven't even got out on the water yet so curious to see if it makes much difference in my boat. If it does at least now I have an idea of what to do. Thx.

[@joshuablough803]

I’ve heard that this isn’t as big of an issue with 18’ and 19’ boats. Is there any truth to this?

[@briantaylor5742]

Good job on the physics Professor Smith. WPS!

[@Hawk-iy2iz]

What about lowering Jack plate?

[@fredlentz1411]

I made the change from 4 AGM/lead batteries to 2 lithiums about a month ago, and been out twice with them. I'm in a Bass Cat Caracal. I dropped about 146 pounds, including the change in charger. It has changed how I fish, and the benefits far outweigh the potential loss of a couple of mph for me. The confidence in the power is huge - noticeably better hole shot, drier rear compartment and back deck, roomier rear compartment, easier to trailer. And Power Pole Charge is a game changer. I can absolutely see that the change can have a negative effect on top speed, but for me, the fishability and peace of mind are more valuable. Bass Cat chimed in on a thread I started about it, and they recommend a smaller prop and lowering the motor while running as possible counters to the lost weight, at least to start, in addition to what you mentioned here - reminded me of your convo with Rick about clean water on plane.

[@Crnkb8s]

I would go up in pitch. Less transom lift.