gel battery or maint. free? opinions?

[71Windsor]

Looking at replacing the batteries this year. Ive used ac delco batteries from napa forever now and had great luck. the batteries I am replacing are 5 years old now the engine has never charged in those 5 years and they held up amazingly. However with fixing my charging issue I figured I better pair it with nice new fresh batteries.

What are your opinions out there around the world. Optima blue top worth the cost? Almost 300$ or your typical deep cycle maint free battery for around 200$? Or lastly your never start Walmart marine battery for 100$? All three options are around 115 amp hours 800 MCA 1000 CCA

Curious to see where every one falls on battery composition choice.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: gel battery or maint. free? opinions?

What are they used for, starting or trolling?
I only use starting for "starting" and deep cycle for trolling. I dont use the dual purpose ones at all.
I have regular old wet lead batteries for both trolling and starting my boat. And AGM's in my cars. But they are NOT Walmart ones.
With batteries, you really get what you pay for. Your AC Delco's are a quality battery and you pay for that.
Just get a quality one (or how many ever) and you will be happy.

 

[Crosbyman]

Re: gel battery or maint. free? opinions?

I run a COSTCO start-deep cycle battery $100 .....in my 17' boat e/w ETEC 75 ... never had problems .
( I do not troll this boat with an electric but I have trolled with an electric minnkota 28lbs with the same battery on anothet boat ...never had problems )

 

[71Windsor]

Re: gel battery or maint. free? opinions?

I do not troll I just use them to start the boat then for electronics. I don't spend alot of time in motion I drift alot. And I do mostly night fishing which I use interior lights my navigation lights head lamps and a few out side of the boat so I can see what I hooked. And of coarse my radio and fish finder are on. I'm going to stick with what works just figured id see what every one else thought before I made any changes to the optima gel.

 

[crb478]

Re: gel battery or maint. free? opinions?

If you are getting 5 years out of your delco's I would stick with them.