Bass Boat Batteries..which Brand?

[vacation]

I am sure this question has been beat to death, but I need 3 new 12v batteries for my Champion bass boat...I have tried batteries from Wal-mart, K-mart, Oreilly, Bass Pro, Arnold motor supply...they all seem to be about the same to me....BUT, does anyone have advise on where to get 12v marine batteries that are just great?

Guides...what do you use in your boats?

Thanks

[Greasy B]

I'm in Tri Stste Trolling Motor in north St Louis county a couple of times a year. They sell some high end batteries. I have always wondered if they're worth the extra money??

[Gilly]

Just bought a new cranking battery this morning. Had an Optima in it, only lasted 3 seasons. What I bought was an AC Delco Voyager, C24HP, rated 800 cca which is the same as the Optima....don't know why it pooped out. The tender seems to be working as the trolling batteries (Delco) hold good volts.

[Dutch]

I have used most wet cells and have opted for AGMs. I have the biggest sears die hard agm for a crank and optimas for tmotor. All is good right now.

[jeb]

My Skeeter came stock with 3 Deka's. They did not last 2 years. I put some Sam's Club Everstart's in it about a year ago, and am happy with them so far. I have AGM's in my dirt bikes, and they make sense there since it bounces around on the trail a LOT, and the battery can even end up upside down at times! But they don't make sense to me in a bass boat, at least for the huge price they get for them. They don't really last any longer, and splashing battery acid is an issue I've never had in any of my boats.

I've learned over the years from owning many deep cycle batteries in boats and RV's that, as you found, they do not last as long as we'd like. I've found the best way to squeeze more life out of them is to check the water level regularly, try not to run them way down between charges and get a quality charger that shuts itself off when the batteries are charged.

[et84]

I'm a big fan of Interstate batteries. They're the best I've found for the $$$, long lasting too.

[Jerry Rapp]

my opinion, buy them at Wal Mart. Charge them as soon as you can after use. If you use them 10 or so times a year you can get 2 or 3 years out of them. If you use them 6 or 7 times a month like me, as soon as I feel they are petering out I will go get new ones at Wal Mart, maybe 1.5 years. If one is bad when you buy it (happened to me once), then a no hassle replacement at Wal mart. You are probably fishing in a 30,000 dollar plus boat, and the trolling motor is your most precious add on, just spend 200 dollars on new batteries each year and your peace of mind will be good.

[kirbydog]

The biggest killer of batterys I have found is letting them loose their charge when the boats sitting sitting idle for weeks at a time (as often happens in winter). I check my charge every 10-days to 2 weeks when the boats not getting out often. Also cold weather is hard on them, if you store the boat outside its probably a good idea to disconnect the batteries and bring them inside.

[Phil Lilley]

We sell batteries from Battery Outfitters.

http://www.batteryoutfitters.com/

Local people, owner Lane Shumaker grew up in Golden, MO and will personally back every battery he sells. Not trying to sell one out of our shop... but this is why I carry them. Lane is a first class guy!

[grizwilson]

My Skeeter came stock with 3 Deka's. They did not last 2 years. I put some Sam's Club Everstart's in it about a year ago, and am happy with them so far. I have AGM's in my dirt bikes, and they make sense there since it bounces around on the trail a LOT, and the battery can even end up upside down at times! But they don't make sense to me in a bass boat, at least for the huge price they get for them. They don't really last any longer, and splashing battery acid is an issue I've never had in any of my boats.

I've learned over the years from owning many deep cycle batteries in boats and RV's that, as you found, they do not last as long as we'd like. I've found the best way to squeeze more life out of them is to check the water level regularly, try not to run them way down between charges and get a quality charger that shuts itself off when the batteries are charged.

I agree, that is why I went to AGM in my boat, my memory is not what it used to be, for get to check the water, added a auto charger works for me. For me the price works out in life of the battery, been getting 5 years plus out of AGM