Can I Connect the Steel Hull of My Boat to the Battery Negative?

Question:

Hi Jeff, I am installing a Victron Inverter Charger with 2 battery banks, 1 engine 2nd house.  Can I connect the battery negative to the steel hull and use the hull as a conductor or do I run negative wire to all systems?
I do realize that negative, neutral and ground is, in essence, the same? - Ed

Answer:

Thanks for the reach out, unfortunately we have limited experience with steel yachts and don’t ever remember seeing an inverter/charger using the steel hull for carrying negative current.  My suggestion is to have your inverter/charger wired to the battery banks via wiring and not the hull.