what kind of batteries
 

What type of batteries do you run in your boat? Marine deep cycle?, marine starting?, one of each?, combo deep cycle/starting? Need to replace both, not sure what to buy.

thanks

I had great results from DEKA deep cycle batteries.
I am currently running AutoZone Gold Automobile batteries. 3 year free replacement (if you tell them it is for a car). Been running them for 3 years so far. Still got a gazillion months of prorated warranty left on them.

I rarely let the batteries get low, though. Maybe actually never allow them to get low.

I run with two marine deep cycles.

I bought two Exxide's last fall and they're great! I left them in the boat all winter, raised and lowered the hatch, worked on lights - you name it. And they never even got weak...

try optimabatteries.com
they are a division of our company, Johnson Controls

I happen to have two 1000 MCA deep cycle batteries ( not optimas) and always just use both for starting. they crank!!

whatever you decide, I think you cant beat good ol' Walmart for prices.

Optimas,,, they made a big difference in the stereo playing with motor not running,,,, if you are just using them to start the boat and dont do big draws though,,, I wouldnt waste the money

DIE HARD MARINE DEEP CYCLES (2)

Optimas!!! They are great. NO LEAKS, NO SMELLS. NO WORRIES. I'm on year 2 and love them. Lots of power. I'm running two deep cycle. Check www.dcbattery.com they have good prices. Eddie Marine make a killer box to hold them.

2 blue top Optimas.

Two Optima red tops, one per side for starting. Two 4d deep cycle cat batteries for lights, fridge, inverter, etc. Rigged as three separate banks. I recomend the optimas, you can can crank your engine from here to breakfast and still have power left over.

2 marine deep cycle blue top optimas

Optima's for good reasons.
 

The typical killer of batteries is bouncing and vibration liberating the acid eaten plates in conventionally constructed batteries and the battery shorting or losing connection internally.

The optima's unconventional spiral wrapped lead sheet in a gel acid is far better at dealing with and living through this environment. There is no comparison. This has been proven in recreational and offroad motorsports in the last 10 yrs. My red top in my Jeep lasted 7 yrs (what it's warranteed for) with hard use, predominantly offroad miles, abusive winching (removed lots of trees with back of jeep anchored to other tree's).

If you have multiple batteries and a dead one merely results in an unconvenient trip to walmart- you may be tempted to save a few bucks. If you want a trouble free dependable battery that will get you back to shore, spring for the optima- you won't regret it.

Oh yea- conventional batteries (especially when well shaken) vent acid fumes to the bilge, the optima's are sealed. That's one of the reasons the streetrod guys love them- less work to keep their engines pretty.

There are brands similarly built to the optima that are also worthy- the small print will tell you the technology is licensed from optima.

Thanks for all the replies. Were do you buy optimas?

Optima
 

Two Optima's - They take a lickin' and keep on tickin'

Look up Batteries or auto electric in your local yellow pages- I can buy them in my town of 5000 people. The local guys charge about $5 more than mail order. summit racing, Jegs, places like them have them mail order.

The red top one is a starting battery, 7 yr warranty for cars. I run one - (yes a single) of these with the clamps that have studs on them.

Marine starting is blue, 2 yr warranty with the same guts as the red battery but marine stud terminals. They just won't warranty them longer than 2 yrs becasue of the perceived harsh environment.

Yellow tops are the RV/deepcycle type for running accessories or trolling motors etc. I can't remember the warranty on these but i suspect it's also two yrs if they know it's in a boat, 7 if it's in your truck or RV.