I am using the Blue Top Optima Batteries. One to start the boat motor and the other to run the trolling motor only.
I am starting my 4th year with these. I'll let you know in two more years if they are still going!
I can charge up my trolling motor battery in 4 hours after using it all day long. It holds it's charge all winter long too. It won't leak if it's knocked over. It's more vibration resistant that any other battery on the market. Just think how much vibration you get in a boat running across or down the lake all day. Waves hitting the boat and bouncing things around. Regular Lead Acid Battery Plates are just hanging freely in the acid and subject to movement. While the Optima Battery lead plates are wrapped around in a circular shape with glass fiber material in between each plate. And they use a paste that's more resistant and thicker that the water soln used in the regular batteries. This is one of the main reasons they last longer. Optima battery's also use a more purified lead in their plates. This decreases the charging resistance so they charge up faster and hold their charge longer.
How many other batteries will hold their full charge all winter long. Optima batteries will hold their charge for a full year's time.
They cost a bit more but they are more reliable IMHO. And they should last twice as long as your Walmart Batteries. I testing this last statement myself. Like I said I am going on my 4th year with my set of Optimas. I used my boat all last year though Dec. I fish a lake that was Electric Trolling Motors only so I put my trolling motor and my battery to the test last year and the three years before that! Imagine using your 50# thrust trolling motor get power around a 200 acre lake for three years!
But in the end each of us has to decide what's best for us.
Originally Posted by flippinstick
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