Best Batteries?

[Steve Ericksen]

I am looking to buy 4 new batteries, one for my starter & electronics the other 3 for my trolling motor.

I have heard a lot of good things about Optima's, but does anyone have any other suggestions for a good fast charging long lasting battery?

My mechanic says acid batteries are the best for marine use just because they last the longest? Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

[CORAL 96]

Trojan batteries would be a close 2nd. They seem to get rave reviews here. I think when I got my boat 3 yrs ago they were on their last leg, and I never checked to see how old they were.
Another good brand is the AC Delco Voyager's. Those suckers are hard to find. I think you can get em, but you have to order through a GM dealer. Totally sealed & maintenece free on these puppies!!!

[Mike]

The AC Delco groupe 31's are a awesome battery's. I've used them for years with no problems. You can get them at The Hook Line & Sinker in Oakley (925-625-2441)

[LuckyToo]

I got over 10 years service from a pair of AC Delco Voyagers and will be replacing with the same this spring. They are totally maintence free. Just keep them charged after each useage.
Besides GM automotive dealerships they are available at dealers that sell AC Delco parts.

[HawgCatcher]

Have you seen the everstart batteries. I have them in my boat and i love them and i have had no problems with them, just like any other battery keep them charged up and they will work great for you.

[stevey]

i was lookin at the everstart batteries at walmart... i was thinkin of putting the 29 series in my nitro... damn big battery for a 17 ft boat.
it's over 14 inches long.
but hey... the 24 series kirklands run out after 5 hrs of delta current and wind. (the 24's came with the boat) i'm on my 4th yr with the kirkland. the 24's are 10 inches long.

the everstart website is down.
http://www.everstartbatteries.com/

i like that walmart will take my old batteries.
costco doesn't.

price is right for everstart. $64 for deep cycle 29 series. it has 875 cold crankin amps.

i went to sears to look at the optima. but $150 for one 34 series blue top and $200 for one 31 series yellow top... if i did tournaments more than once a month.... i'd consider it. the optima is lighter, smaller, and more amps. the 31 series has 900 cca.

for $200 u can buy 3 everstarts... two deep cycle 29 series and one crankin.

besides... i like the all yellow look of the everstart.
and walmart replaces the battery with no questions for 3 yrs.

i'm just waiting for my kirklands to fail... they work fine for my calm water fishing.... disco.

the big thing is to get the 29 or 31 series battery, which ever name brand battery u buy. oh yeah, and keep em charged. i have a 3 bank charger on the boat. i noticed that my batteries last longer if it's plugged in during the winter. now, summer is another problem. usually do most of my charging in the shade or at night. darn batteries get hot during the hot summer days.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/category ... tima+Brand

http://shopping.yahoo.com/premium/consu ... d=95700426

[Fish Chris]

I used to have a neighbor who delivered batteries all over the Bay area. He told me that their were only "two" automtive / marine battery manufactures in the US. One was AC Delco, and the other was Interstate (I believe those were the two). All of the hundreds of other batteries you see, simply have different labels put on them after being sent out by the manufacturer.

As far as which is best between the two manufacturers.... Well, thats kind of like, "Which is best, Chevy or Ford" ? Fact is, if either of the companies was lame, it couldn't compete with the other company, and would long since be out of business.

All this said, I get Ever Start group 29 deep cycles from Wal-Mart for about $65. The cool part is though, they have an 18 month free replacement. So I thrash the heck out of them for 17 (normal use.... just lots of it), at which point, they are just about gone, then I return them for a free replacement. Depending on how you look at it, it's kind of like, "Buy them once.... get free replacement for life".

Only question is, should I feel guilty by about the 5th free replacement ???

Peace,
Fish

[Fishin' Dave]

I thought it was Delco, Interstate, and Exide

[MrSkeeter]

I've used Wally world Everstart batteries for years. I use the series 29 batteries and am on my 4th season w/ my current set. Depending on my useage, I normally get 3-4 years out of a set.

[Fish Chris]

Could be. I was just going by a 15 year memory...... and just think, I can barely remember what I had for breakfast !

........so then how the heck do I remember garbage like; 'Stigmatagobius Sadanundio' ??? (a small brackish water goby) Almost scary, huh ?

Peace,
Fish

[Steve Ericksen]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I have Everstart's now, haven't had any problems with them but I think I am going to give the Delco's a shot.

Thanks again,
Steve