Replacement Battery For Trolling Motor

[Spinnaker]

I need to replace my 12 volt trolling motor battery. I have a Minkota 40 AT, 40 pound thrust motor. My trolling battery is mounted toward the bow and does get some bounce on tough waves once in a while. I have priced some batteries and would like your opinions, please. Thanks.

Bass Pro has a group 27 battery for $256. It is a sealed battery. Bass Pro is priced high but it might reflect the fact that it is a sealed unit.

Batteries Plus has a group 27 for $89, but it is not sealed.

Sears has a group 27 for $99, but it is not sealed.

My starter battery mounted toward the stern is not sealed. My previous trolling motor batteries were not sealed. Should I get a battery case for a non sealed battery? What advice can you offer on trolling batteries?

[Feathers and Fins]

Optima blue top.

[riverfish]

pro guide/pro series group 27 is all you need theyre all i use good warranty reasonable price friendly people great product. ive fished alot for two and a half years almost three on this last set i got no problems whatsoever

[Dutch]

A couple of things to consider: Your charger, what type of batteries can it charge? Reserve amps or reserve capacity (the number one thing to consider in deep cycle batteries).

You mentioned sealed. There are two types of deep cycles that are sealed: flooded cell and AGM. If you go with AGM then be sure your charger wil work with them.

On flooded cells be sure to get at least 180 reserve minutes or you may run out of juice before the day is over.

[Stoneroller]

Optima blue top.

^^^^^ this one

[OnPlane]

Generally we (the bass fishing community I run with around here) are good sources of info on such items...but it seems the jury has a lot of opinions on this one...Usually price is the deciding factor...and I know I use 27 series Deep Cycles from O'Reilly..(SuperStart)...and have had a couple in the boat going on 29 months of use...-24 v system-...and I use it throughout the year. I have realized that the battery maintenance is the biggest issue on the table...Keeping from freezing..filling with DISTILLED water when necessary and charging only till FULL (not leaving the charger on em...for an extended time)....Unless you fish in EXTREME conditions where the "shock" factor (in terms of rattling the battery around in the boat is an issue)...then I think the conventional lead plate types are fine. The "sealed" gel and dry types...usually lead me back to that price thing...and hence...I get em...cheap...LOL....and work on maintaining them for a while...