boat battery

[boyowar]

what kind of batteries should i use for my 1973 winner???

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: boat battery

energizer AA






not enough info here.... what are you using them for? Obvious answer is biggest and best you can fit and afford

 

[boyowar]

Re: boat battery

Im just using the boat to get to a fishing ground. I have a small bait tank and fish finder on the boat too, dose that matter? I just got the boat and im new to the whole boating thing. Sry for my stupidity.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: boat battery

well if all you have running on the battery is a sonar and a livewell and your engine is pullstart then any battery but preferably a deepcycle will be fine..... if you have a big trolling motor and an electric start only engine then I say at least one deep cycle and one starting battery
If you are gonna night fish with lots of lights then might need a few deepcycles

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: boat battery

Welcome:

Smoke is basically correct, but I would say that a deep cycle is strongly recommended if you are running an electric trolling motor, etc. Also, if you are running an electric start motor and a trolling motor or any other electric accessories (for example a radio), I would strongly recomemd getting two batteries. One deep cycle for the electric accessories and one (possibly smaller, deep cycle optional) for starting ONLY. Many motors will charge the starting battery. None that I know of will do enough to charge the accessory battery.

If not starting will put your life in danger, I would get a bigger deep cycle for that as well.

For my deep cycle battery, I got an Optima Blue D31M. I also work for the manufacturer of that battery, so I got a great price. My only complaint is that it is too much battery for me (too heavy, it weighs 60 pounds). For the average user, that battery is way overkill, but the price was right for me. I have never run it down to fully discharged. The starting battery is what came with the boat and when it finally dies I will replace it with an Optima as well.

TerryMSU

 

[redone4x4]

Re: boat battery

I carry 2 automotive batteries in mine, I have for years. You can get the marine style wing nut adapter terminals at napa or walmart or probably here on IBOATS even for a few bucks. I dont fish or troll or anything, but we do anchor and listen to the radio for a few hours at a time and never had any issues. My particular needs never justified purchasing "marine" batteries for what i do.

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat battery

Marine deep cycle is the way to go if the application is critical, like trolling motors. But if you need additional batteries for accessories, like radio, interior lighting, and the like, then regular car batteries will do fine. in fact, I have bought a couple of car batteries from the local salvage yard for $10 each and the batteries are 1 or 2 years old.