securing battery boxes to hull

[tfcalli]

I have a Catalina 30 (1984 model) with 2 group 27 series house batteries and one engine battery. The house batteries are located under the aft birth cushions, which is accessed from Galley, next to the companionway steps. Currently the batteries are in individual plastic containers (no lids), resting on the slightly curved section of the hull. They are not strapped down.

My thoughts are to fiberglass some hardware to the hull that would allow tie down straps to be used. Does this sound reasonable?

[The Garbone]

Should work. Some 3/4" ply to anchor the straps.

On my C30 I have two grp 27 batteries in boxes under the Nav station. The boxes fit perfectly running prt to starboard with the box handles sitting on the cutout lip. Ran a cloth strap across them to to keep them from become gear adrift.

[David M]

Or some 1" strips of mahogany glassed in.

[hellosailor]

As David said, some 1" battens.

I'd just go for 1"x2" strips, abrade the hull and epoxy them down, them paint with epoxy or similar paint to ensure no water gets in.

Then you can screw any kind of hardware, straps, etc. to the battens to hold the boxes down. If you can grab the straps, put your back into it and heave, and you think that would tear them out? Use stronger fittings. Don't underestimate the force that a battery can exert if the boat is bouncing around, or hits something.