new batteries

[makade]

any opinions on batteries, i've been looking at the optima blue tops, kinda pricey but nice warranty, any feedback appreciated.

[strick]

I don't know that you will ever need the warranty with the optima blue tops. Mine are three years old. I hardly ever use the boat and I've never had to charge them. Motor fires up every time. I used to go thru batteries regularly before I bought the Optimas. It's the only battery made as far as I'm concerned.

strick

[warthog5]

I have 4 Optima's in my boat. Very Happy except for the initial $600 I spent for them and 2 Trolling Fury box's.

[ScottM]

Get the Optimas, you'll be glad you did. Just like Strick, I hardly use my boat and have not needed to charge them in 3 years also.

[Briguy]

My batteries were purchased at Sam's club. Regular old wet cells. About $60.00 each. I have 2 group 31's and one huge D4 so I can run my electronics on overnight trips.

[dsherod]

Here's another vote for the Optima or any AGM type battery. Lifeline is also a good brand, but a little pricey. Here's a site with relevant info:

http://www.pkys.com/batteries/
http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/

Also check the Jack Rabbit site.

One of the best features of the AGM's is that they loose less than 1% of their charge per month when stored. For boaters this means that they do not have to be kept on a battery charger when the boat is not in use.

[Ikan Besar]

Those Optima batteries look nice indeed. However, my two Walmart batteries have done the trick for nearly four years now.

[Ed]

I have a 2002 Kmart Group 24 battery and a 2003 Exide Group 27 battery in my Mako. They have been used extensively...but also get trickled charged twice in the offseason.

With that said, I am switching to Optima Bluetops and teh troll fury box this season....because I absolutely hate those plastic battery boxes and the mesh straps. Plus, I feel like I am really on borrowed time with my existing batteries...5 years is about 3 more years than I expected.

[ocuyler]

Those Optima batteries look nice indeed. However, my two Walmart batteries have done the trick for nearly four years now.

I agree. With proper sizing, switching and maintainence, any good wet cell battery will service you well. Of the 50 bazillion golf carts in the world, none use anything other than wet cell lead batteries. They get run DEAD on a regular basis and probably overcharged too.

Save your money and buy some good lures from Frenzie or Todd's...