Two new group 27s and the port side setee where I wanted them. The boat listed to starboard as the battery and outboard were originally on the starboard side. Two 27s on the port side leveled the boat out and provided increased amp hours.

New batteries and where I wanted them

The mount plate for the batteries was built out of 5/8 cutting boards I bought at the local outlet mall. Much cheaper than commercially available non-conductive products. I couldnt get any glue to stick to the HDPE so I used mechanical bonding (brass screws). The whole unit was glassed in to the hull. The fiberglass is basically clamping the mount down as I dont think that the epoxy stuck to the cutting boards.

Battery mount made from cutting boards

I had to put the batteries in one at a time, with the first one being shoved forward to make room to get the second one through the opening. This is a very tight fit! I did put a wedge block on the top of each battery to ensure they didnt move. The last thing I wanted was for the batteries moving around during a knockdown... I wired each battery independently with 4 gauge wire. I had to borrow a large crimper from work to crimp on the big lugs for the connections.

Batteries in the hold and wiring in conduit

I couldnt find a mast base plate I liked, so I mocked one up out of cardboard, made a drawing of it and took it to the local machine shop. The new plate was stamped out if 1/4 stainless and is stout enough to lift the boat, just kidding. I went with 1/4 so it would keep the geometry the same. No sense having to replace all the standing rigging just because I changed the mast height off the deck. I added the triple organizer on the right side of the photo and now have my spin halyard, topping lift, and first reef led back to the cockpit.

New mast base plate

Hard to see in this photo, but it shows the new and improved outhaul. The boom is horizontal at the top of the photo. I added a harken two sheave exit plate after cutting a hole in the bottom of the boom. Put a jam cleat aft of that with a turning block a little further aft. The outhaul line now hangs straight down and is accessible. To ease the outhaul, slack the line between the turning block and the cleat and then re-cleat. Neat idea I picked up off a raceboat.

Outhaul