Re: Need new boat Battery
I agree with Bruse that a deep cycle will usually work fine as a starting battery unless you have a very large engine that is hard to crank. Yes the plates are thicker so you can not put in as many plates in the same size battery so slightly less current.
However I would buy a regular auto cranking battery unless your mounting it up front in the boat where they take a lot of pounding, then I would go marine.
The reason I like a auto cranking battery better is.
1: Much cheaper, go to Costco, Walmart, Sams club.
2: Auto cranking battery has a 3 year free replacement and 100 month pro rated warranty. Marine battery is 1 year free or less and 36 month or less pro rated warranty.
3: I like my boat cranking battery to be the same size and type as my tow vehicle battery, so batteries can be easily changed between boat and Truck. If anything needs to be changed I change the cables in the boat to be compatable with the truck. Never know when someone might decide they need your truck battery more than you.
As far as brand I buy what ever has the best deal. You can spend 3 times as much and the battery will last no longer.
What determins how long the battery last is not the brand it is how you care for your battery. Deep discharge it and let it sit before recharging and you will be lucky if it last a year.
Starting batteries should not be discharged below 80 percent of full charge and Deep cycles should not be discharged below 50 percent. The longer either is discharged before recharging the more damage is done. Also in hot summer month must recharge at least one time a month and winter every 2 to 3 month. Check the water level once a year and add distilled if necessary but also charge after.
I have not had a battery that did not last at least 6 years in my 1980 boat and My deep cycle is so old that I bought it back when price club still sold Delco Voyager Batteries
