Yeah I know kind of a lame question....I've always bought deep cycle batteries for my boat(my season is about 6 months )  seems like a few months back over on perf. boats, a few guys were saying not to use the deepcycle ones?? As long as we're talking batteries I've also heard to stay away from the ones with high cranking amps, because they don't last as long. Just curious what everyones thoughts were, my battery is toast and I'm trying to figure out what's best. If your an optima fan, I wouldn't mind hearing it....but I don't see me going there. I've heard/seen too many bad stories there. TIA

I have run a deep cycle since I have had my boat. Never a problem. 3 or 4  years now with the same one. The one thing I do tho is once a month or so I put the trickle charger on it, and I think thats a big reason I havent had any problems   knock on wood    just my .02

optima red top

1) Deep cycle batteries generally are not designed for cranking (not good for high compression applications).

2) Deep cycle batteries will have a higher amp hour rating (takes longer to run down) than a start type battery.

3) A cranking battery will have a higher cold cranking amps rating but a lower amp hour rating.

4) A cranking battery will not survive being run down repeatedly, where a deep cycle will have many "life cycles".

5) The only reason I would run a deep cycle type battery in a jet/v-drive type boat would be if you didn't run an alternator and did recharge after every run.
 
6) I would recommend getting a good quality (high cranking amps & good warranty) cranking battery for all other jet/v-drive type boats.

7) If you have a day cruiser with a large stereo, I would have a start battery seperate from and use deep cycles to run the stereo, and use a Perco switch so you could use the deep cycles to jump the start battery if necessary. 

Class dismissed 

X2, What actually determins the life length of a battery (lead acid) is the amount of space in the bottom of the battery for sediment, when a battery sits idle (especially under 12.5 volts) they start to degrade and sulfide or oxidize the plates, this drops off over time and fills the bottom cavity of the battery and poof, they short a cell or two...

The best method is to keep it charged up (those little maintenance chargers are the bomb for this), you want to keep the voltage above 12.5 volts, some of the new "Smart Chargers" are great for prolonging the life of a battery, they are designed with battery lif in mind.

Optimas are OK, I actually work for the company that owns them, I have a couple, perfect for cranking for a short period of time, suck at everything else, they have a rapid discharge capability superior to lead acid, but not a lot of reserve, red top or yellow top work killer in a boat, but very important to keep it charged and charge gently...

One of the batteries in my motorhome is 7 years old, I keep it on a solor charger with a solid state controller, works fine, just have not needed to replace it, it should have puked two or three years ago.


GT

Ive got a 6 year old optima thats still running strong.  Well worth the money.  Its a red top btw.

Im going to buy my new battery tomorrow...For my boat   Optimas are out of the question.........

I was thinking  , the Autozone as posted above or the good ole fashioned Walmart battery.... i have had good luck with wally world batterys..

Any input on this   Looking for a good battery on a jet boaters wallet

Steve,
I always purchased my batteries at Costco. Never a problem and would exchange them out about every year while still under warrenty. Gotta love Cosco warrenties

 Costco...........Bob , im in Bullhead   Walmart has a good warranty also.. One year free replacement after that its pro rated.
 

No Costco in Bullhead? Huh....Just dont forget what happened to Skip with his Walmart battery Hate to see you get your face acid washed before you got the boat wet. When is this going to happen again? I know youre close. Keep it up.

Well......... I was just told that Tom is out of top mount starters so looks like im giving up mine so i can get the Eliminator out of my hair and i was also told my order from CP performance is on hold due to no inventory on what i ordered

So in short.........not for awhile

I've alway had good luck with Delco batteries.  Most Delco automotive batteries have a minimum 2 year free replacement plus the pro-rate.

A friend of mine works at the local Auto Zone part time.  In his words optima batteries are JUNK.
He said they have more returns of them than any other part he's ever seen.

I  use a nice big Wal Mart deep cycle battery.  No problems and we run the stereo a lot with the engine off.   It's not nuts just nice music.

Any battery can last a long time or die tomorrow.  It's the nature of the beast.

Run two 6 volt batteries in series like the golf carts do , your charge will last a long time and your cranking amps will be through the roof.

i think i am going to try two 6v golf cart batteries or i am going to install a remote start on a honda generator in the back of my boat so my stereo can run all day.

Good thread to revive John!

After my troubles at Big River last June with a near new Autozone battery (had to rod the second battery from the truck to complete the weekend) I bought a Blue Optima for Moo. Seems to work just fine, and my mentality says that the gel cell format of it will be better suited to the constant jolts I throw at her! I beleive that is what killed the original battery.

Autozone was cool about it, they gave me full credit on it towards the Optima. We'll see how it holds up long term, but it's already outlasted, and quite a bit and then some, the lead acid battery.

Food for thought though. Warranties are great, especially when stood behind, but they won't tow you in or not succeed in ruining your weekend when they DO go out.........

Warranties and reliability are 2 completely different things.

Ray