Battery setup question.....

Need some advice on what (if anything) I need to do differently with my battery situation. The basic rundown is I have a 1648 War Eagle with a 25hp elec start Yamaha, 12V 55lb Minn Kota Edge (older model), livewell, nav lights (probably will never actually use them though), and two depth finders.

I currently only have one battery running it all, and realize that can be a problem as I found out last year when one of the kids left a toggle switch on that drained battery low enough that I couldn't start the motor (it doesn't have the option of a pull crank)....not a good morning duck hunting!!

Would it make sense to simply buy a smaller battery that I just hook my motor up to so I have something to crank it with, should the other battery drain down after trolling, etc. Or should I buy another big battery and hook motor and other items (nav lights, depth finders, live well) and separate the trolling motor to itself?

I only have space for one more battery without rigging something up in a dry box and I would rather not go that route if possible. Anyone else out there with my type of setup or have suggestions on how to route what items to what battery? Thanks,

A buddy of mine has a 24V trolling motor and a 40hp motor. He has all accessories and trolling motor wired to deep cycle Batts and only uses a lawn and garden batt for motor cranking. Light weight and doesn't take up much space. Those small outboards don't need a lot of cranking amps to turn them over.

You are correct in saying you have the potential for a problem. If trolling battery is big enough to keep you going get the largest cranking battery you can install. Run motor and all accessories off it. When I say largest that may not be very big in your case.