Welding cable is prohibited under ABYC standards because the jacket is not suitable for the marine environment. I have replaced a lot of it that has literally turned to mush from oils etc.. Numerous builders used it over the years and it does not handle boat bilges well at all.

The other problem with welding cable, especially the cheap stuff that is not UL rated, is the jacket temp rating is usually 60C or "not specified".. A marine battery cable should be 105C. A 105C wire allows for proper fusing without nuisance trips because it has a higher max ampacity rating than a 60C or a "non-specified" jacket temp rating...

Try Greg's Marine Wire or Genuine Dealz. Marine battery cable is not that much mroe money that a better quality UL welding cable..

With a good crimp, a 360 degree swage type, and a proper sealed lug terminal and sealed with adhesive lined heat shrink the tinned vs. non-tinned becomes less of an issue. It is tough to find a marine stranded cable that meets UL 1426..

Genuinedealz.com will terminate your cables for $1.00 per crimp, plus materials. Can't beat that.. Just send them the lengths and lug hole sizes you need and they make and ship them to you..

Putting a battery in the bow can easily get more costly than the wire...