Thanks for all the ideas fellas.
Much appreciated!

How well do the bottom clamp plates work in a marine environment? I like the look, and if they work well, it may allow me to tuck my batteries under the cockpit sole in front of my engines, as there is a hidden area there but its a little limited height wise.

I won't buy boat battery boxes again that don't have top step plate. Never had them till now, and it is WAY nicer when stepping around in the bilge.

If you get the Optima specific boxes then you`re always stuck with those batteries. never had any luck with any of them, red, yellow, blue. junk

Depending on what series of Optima. I have a set I got from Mystic a while back. Used bottoms with new polished tops. I need a pic of the battery series you are running. They did not fit the orpimas I have and i can get them to you cheap!!

I have had blue tops in all my boats. They have never failed and I am on 6 years ( or more) on the set I have. Am I just lucky? They were almost dead and in my boat when I go tit.. ( got tit typo lol) anyway. They are not huge amps but still working. Maybe about 75 percent of new. But like I said . Still working. The only time I need all the amps to have full power from my stereo is when i am under way.(Then Both my alternators make up for any battery il performance ). Maybe I am missing some performance . But like i said . They have never failed me.

I think they changed manufacturing plants in the last 5 years or so.. Maybe they are not as good as the old blue ones I have.. But like I said . I have had nothing but good lick and durability with my batteries. I charge them once in a while in the winter only.. At about 2 amps.. My stereo memory was a slow drain so I now has a master throw.. They still keep a charge for Months and Months with no activity

I've had good luck with mine as well.

Any battery will underperform if not maintained.

Pm sent MC.

not sure what brand mine are, I'll check

Those are optima blue top, group 34

[ATTACH=CONFIG]562677[/ATTACH]