Larry wrote:
....

There's no way I know of to keep the shorted cell from exploding,
distributing its acid over everthing in every drawer in the boat....what a
mess.

My batteries are on the bridge deck in the cockpit, with a heavy
fiberglass cover. Reaching the cabin or bilge would require going
through a major bulkhead.

Of course, I wouldn't want to be sitting on the cover at the time ...