I'm going to buy Optima batteries for my 336, and I'm not sure what has to be done to install them. Has anyone else done it, and what was involved? What is the right model # to buy? I have the 34M in another boat and it has been terrific.
The boat's not close to me so I can't go look and measure. Thanks in advance...

you see the Battery holders "TOO OLD" has for the Optima's ... sweet ...I would not think there would anything special or different you need to do ?

I did see those, and they are very cool...

A pair of Optima's are going to cost $350 or so, and I was hoping to use the existing battery hold down system for now. I've got a bunch of other stuff I need to do first before I start upgrading, although I did splurge for a pair of these....

If you are mostly going to use the batteries for starting, and not for playing the radio all day while rafting up, you might consider non-marine batteries. They will be less expensive, and actually work quite well for starting and running electronics while the boat is running. Just like a car's battery.

CO, something you may want to check before you buy the optimas is whether or not they are compatible with the built in battery charger in your boat. I could be wrong but thought thay you had to have a dfferent type of charger.

I just bought two optmias yesterday...I got the deep cycle ..they do fit in my existing battery holders (Rex Marine).. I never heard that you need a different charging system..OH YEAH I got 'em at Advance Auto parts..139.00 + a rebate for a starbrite boat cleaning kit....

Can anyone else comment on this? I can't imagine what would require a different charging circuit...

Not sure if the 311 and 336 have the same battery holders, but my 311 had group 24's, even with all factory options - shorepower, fridge, etc. I pulled those out for 30's, which will hold a 31.

BTW - are Optimas that good? I used to get $100 batteries at the marina, Sea Volt, etc, and they all stunk. I got Group 31 dual purpose from Sam's Club for $60, 900 amps, can crank my 800w stereo for 4 hours on one battery. For $60 bucks, I just dump them every 2-3 years.

I've tried Optima's for 6 months---NOT impressed.

My experience has been the ratings are overstated, they don't carry a load too well and they take forever tho charge.

Just my experience so I'm going back to Exide 1000MCA $70/battery type and repalce under warranty eveyr y 11 months.

Batteries ain't bling-bling any more than sea strainers are--they are utilitarian thangs ya gotta have to "git 'r done".

BTW--they are charging limitations on Optima's--read the tech literature carefully and/or talk to manufacturer--I think that may be why mine are such crap and I/ve got a high end Charles C-Charger.