Optima Batteries
 

My batteries are getting tired and I was thinking of replacing them with blue optima marine batteries. Anyone have experience with these? I have a 47 with triples.

I don't have optimas in my Fountain but did have them in my last boat and loved them with the big stereo and for cranking my engine. If you have a big stereo, it seems that the Odyssey and Stinger batteries are better for the stereo but not as good as cranking as optimas are. Maybe do Optimas for cranking and Odyssey for stereo, or just do Optimas all the way around. Hope that helps.

Blue top for 'house/stereo', red top for starting.

In my last boat I just had blue top optimas and it worked great as a dual purpose battery.

Blue top optima would be my first choice.. It is what I run

Optimas really aren't the best I have seen. You can buy a real good battery, either deep cycle or starting, with more A/hr or CCA for about half the price. I spent the money for 2 blue tops and a red top last year and I haven't been very happy. If you raft up much and run your stereo they just don't seem to perform like others, IMHO.

Here is my personal experience, But nice deep cycle batteries like "Stoaway". and replace them every other year. It ends up costing less than the optimas, for the same amount of time. and you basically have new battery all the time.

I will also note if your stereo will run down three batteries, between runs, GET A GENERATOR, and god love you for it.:ernaehrung004:

Consumer Report did a comparison on batteries during the summer, cannot find that issue. Their findings were that other batteries did as good a job with less price than the Optima. If I find the issue will try to post results. Dont know about real world usage.

Optimas are indeed very pricey. Problem for me is I changed all my battery boxes out for ones cut specifically for Optima's, so now I'm kinda stuck.

I love the blue top optima's
 

I have two blue top marine Optima's in my lightning and they are great.

My experience with a blue top Optima in my flat bottom is beyond excellent. I purchased that battery in 1998 and the boat sits in my garage all winter long, when it is time to use it and I put the charger on it, it always shows a full charge. I can't believe that it is still good after 10 years, but that certainly justifies the added cost. That boat has a 12.5:1 compression Big Block Chevy, so it isn't easy to start.

I think in this case you do get what you pay for.