New Battery Recommendations

[JPass]

So our battery always appears to be sitting at about 85% charge whenever I throw it on the charger every few weeks. She also cranks slower than I think she should, so I'm looking to replace the battery. I see the manual recommends a group 24 battery and prices range from $90 all the way up to $250 for an optima.

What are some of you guys running in your boats? CCAs, deep cycle????

Thanks

 

[RowdyRod]

G'Day JPass,

I suspect this will not help you much as I'm from the land down under.... but I use a SeaMaster Marine Battery Calcium Enhanced (whatever that means!)

It's an M50 which I'm pretty sure equates to a group 24. It has 585 CCA and 730 MCA which turns over my engine easily and handles a day of stop/start skiing without a problem.

In my opinion don't go with a Deep Cycle in a boat unless you have a dual battery system.

Since I am in the process of fixing my engine due to a broken timing chain and I have the engine out of the boat I'm planning on adding a dual battery system so I can power my 600 Watt amplifier and subwoofer

 

[Moejay]

I'm running two "Walmart Brand" Everstart MAXX - 24DC batteries 690 MCA I actually run the Walmart brand batteries in my motorhome also. I've had zero issues and they are rated high.
We stop and listen to music for hours and the boat always starts right up.( 2- 500 watt Polk amps, 7 speakers). I have never had to switch to the back up battery to start it up.....but I know it's there if needed.
FYI- Always check the manufacture date to get the freshest battery. (maybe 1-2 months old)

 

[rcguy]

I'm running two "Walmart Brand" Everstart MAXX - 24DC batteries 690 MCA I actually run the Walmart brand batteries in my motorhome also. I've had zero issues and they are rated high.
We stop and listen to music for hours and the boat always starts right up.( 2- 500 watt Polk amps, 7 speakers). I have never had to switch to the back up battery to start it up.....but I know it's there if needed.
FYI- Always check the manufacture date to get the freshest battery. (maybe 1-2 months old)

I"m running the same batteries for threee years and still all OK in my Challenger. I use the Everstart in my tractor for 5 1/2 years before replacement. Lead acid batteries mostly all the same. DieHard just a marketing gimmick.

 

[Carboncow]

I'm running two "Walmart Brand" Everstart MAXX - 24DC batteries 690 MCA I actually run the Walmart brand batteries in my motorhome also. I've had zero issues and they are rated high.
We stop and listen to music for hours and the boat always starts right up.( 2- 500 watt Polk amps, 7 speakers). I have never had to switch to the back up battery to start it up.....but I know it's there if needed.
FYI- Always check the manufacture date to get the freshest battery. (maybe 1-2 months old)

I agree the Everstart are good as well the Excide I get at Menards...we have a big boat that uses 4 batteries and have had several tenders. I've done fine with Walmart, Sams and Menards in all my boats.

 

[JPass]

Thanks fellas. I was thinking of going with a Optima Blue Top D34M. I'm going to go to a 2 battery set-up shortly and really like the Optimas.

 

[rcguy]

Thanks fellas. I was thinking of going with a Optima Blue Top D34M. I'm going to go to a 2 battery set-up shortly and really like the Optimas.

Well, if you are going to a two battery system (I did 3 years ago) go with one regular and one deep cycle battery. The deep cycle is better to run your stereo and other electrics when anchored and can be used for starting in an emergency.

 

[Moejay]

Thanks fellas. I was thinking of going with a Optima Blue Top D34M. I'm going to go to a 2 battery set-up shortly and really like the Optimas.

I run the Yellow Top in my Slingshot and the Red Top in my Ram (7 years old) .... they are good but cost to much money ($250+) for a boat! Being deep cycle I still don't think it will last but 3 years tops
That's why I run the less expensive Walmart and replace every 3 years. Good luck.

 

[Premix]

On my single 215hp Speedster I decided to go with an Everstart deep cycle battery. I took the gamble these Rotax 3 cylinder engines won't need the same starting amps as the 6 cylinder cars these batteries were designed for.

 

[gb387]

Thanks fellas. I was thinking of going with a Optima Blue Top D34M. I'm going to go to a 2 battery set-up shortly and really like the Optimas.

Im going to need a new battery this spring as well. I have a friend who uses optima batteries in everything and swears by them(his boat as well). My plan was to go with a blue top D34M as well and see how it works out, there are better more expensive batteries out there but I don't think I want to step up even more. I would like to add a second battery but I may see how one new battery holds up and wire in a battery tender to help improve its lifespan before adding the second battery.

 

[rcguy]

Im going to need a new battery this spring as well. I have a friend who uses optima batteries in everything and swears by them(his boat as well). My plan was to go with a blue top D34M as well and see how it works out, there are better more expensive batteries out there but I don't think I want to step up even more. I would like to add a second battery but I may see how one new battery holds up and wire in a battery tender to help improve its lifespan before adding the second battery.

I personally don't see the value of the blue Optima battery. Not when you can purchase two Wal-Mart Marine batteries, a Perko 2 battery switch, battery tray and connecting cables for the price of one Optima battery. The Blue Optima battery is better then one Wally World Marine battery but not better then two marine batteries. Also you have the option of one battery being a deep cycle and the other for starting. Am I missing something?

 

[gb387]

I personally don't see the value of the blue Optima battery. Not when you can purchase two Wal-Mart Marine batteries, a Perko 2 battery switch, battery tray and connecting cables for the price of one Optima battery. The Blue Optima battery is better then one Wally World Marine battery but not better then two marine batteries. Also you have the option of one battery being a deep cycle and the other for starting. Am I missing something?

No, your not missing anything and the dual purpose one battery system isn't the perfect solution but it's an option depending on your needs... The optima setup is just the way I want to go, for us we don't play the radio hours on end so at this point it's just easier for me to put a optima in and call it good. I understand $175 is a pricey battery and there are other options. I do know it's way better than the 5 year old weak battery we currently have and do not trust. Either way everyone wants a reliable battery(s) in a boat.

 

[rcguy]

gb387....there is no perfect right way to set up your batteries as long as it gets the job done. Your way will work just fine and save some weight to booth.