I have a 27 hp beavertail longtail pushing a 16 ft boat. I have it set up for duck season but trying to decrease weight. currently it has two batteries, a cranking battery, 875 cranking amps and a deep cycle trolling motor battery. Im using the trolling motor battery to power my running lights and trolling motor of course. Mu question is can I take the deep cycle out and use the cranking motor to power both the engine and my running lights. I would only be needing my running lights and two 55 watt driving lights for about 30 minutes each morning during duck hunting season to get to my spot, after that the engine would be the only draw on the battery. Any input would be much apprectated.

thats how i have mine set up.......but make sure you read your owners manual on your trolling motor, alot of them are self grounding and if you put anything else in the circuit it could mess it up. if i were you i would lose the trolling motor and a battery and get a push pole or something unless you plan on fishing after you get done hunting

x2 on loosing the trolling motor. Over the years I've managed to tear up 2 trolling motors with duck hunting. (Wasn't using trolling motor when they got torn up) Push pole can usually get you back to the main channel.

It'll save you about 100 pounds.

I don't know what engine beavertail uses, but if it is a 27 briggs, and it has a alt. then you running your lights shouldn't be a problem. I run a 35 MB and I run my running lights and head lights off of the cranking battery. X2 on loosing the trolling motor during duck season. Mine is in my garage now.

Thanks guys! Yes it has an alt. I pulled the trolling motor for the season. I'll be glad to dump that heavy deep cycle battery.
Appreciate it!

don't mean to hijack this, but I have a 2006 31hp Vangaurd on a beavertail and the guy I bought it from said it didn't have an alternator. just wondering if you think it does?

Its not really an alternator, but it should have a small charging system. Easiest way to find out if it has one is to check your voltage at the battery while the engine is running. If its somewhere north of 13 volts or so, you have a charging system and its working. Your battery at rest should be around 12.6