what is the best deep cycle battery for my boat?

Answer 1

I'm with Orwel on this and have given him a thumbs up rating.
Most Ocean cruisers / Blue water sailors who LIVE ONBOARD have golf cart or forklift deep cycle batteries to store their power and make the most of solar and / or wind chargers. He is also spot on when he says that they are 6v and that two must connected to form the 12v supply needed for most boat applications.
Optima batteries are suggested a lot here, I have no knowledge of them. This is the first time that I have even heard the name, but I will check out their website. Never knock back new knowledge!
Best deep cycle batteries for boats in my opinion are Golf cart, second are forklift - but they do require a deep housing.
Best regards,
Geoff
www.sailingunlimited.net

Answer 2

Best Deep Cycle Battery

Answer 3

It does not really matter what brand the battery is but what type it is. The best batteries are AGM (almalgamated glass matt) they are high capacity, can be mounted at any angle and are good deep cycle battery's. It depends on what type of boat you have to what size you need. I sail a 47 foot yacht and it has 4 400 amp hour AGM batterys. With a solar panel and motoring a little(not more than an hour or two a day) that is pleanty of capacity to last 3 weeks whilst using the power inverter, TV, microwave, 2 fridges and all of the instruments as well as the coffee machile. AGM are the way to go.

ALL MARINE BATTERYS ARE 12 VOLT. THEY ARE NOT 6 VOLTS, IF YOU CONNECT 2 TOGETHER YOU WILL GET 24 VOLTS

Answer 4

I had a 17 Ft Bass boat For 12 years I usually used it on an
all electric Trout lake in pa.I have a 35#Thrust and a 55 lb
minn kota on it . over the years I have bought every make and
model deep cycle battery .This boat is loaded with electronics
and stereo equipment and underwater cameras and lights.
I have 4 deep cycle batteries on it I have bought almost every make including
Optima. Guess what I have learned ,The best battery is also
the cheapest WalMarts Maxima.. The best one is only 60.00
Two walmarts have been in their for 3 years no problem..

Answer 5

Bugsy, you didn't state the electrical needs on the boat nor its size. There is a lot of "deep cycle" batteries around these days that can be found in discount and auto stores. These are a cut above the regular lead acid auto batteries, but still are limited in their abilities cycle many times over. That is, they wear out fast if one puts them through a deep discharge many times. They do come with a reasonable price tag, in the area of 25% higher then the auto batteries. For serious use I would recommend going the next step up in Deep cycle batteries, and buy the type that is used in solar power systems, golf carts, and larger sail boats. Trojan is one brand, but there are many others. These truly deep cycle batteries come with larger plates and even more important, lots of extra space inside to hold more water/acid solution which gives an extra amount of durability and evaporation protection. A pair of L16's (Model/Size) are good for about 7+ years and seem to be popular. They are heavy tho... so the smaller versions that are used in golf carts and solar power installations that weigh in a little heavier then a car battery might be in order. Note that most of these real deep cycle batteries come configured as 6 volts so you have to buy two for 12 operation.

Answer 6

a marine battery , is designed to be a deep cycle battery. since most out/in board engines some times do not have a generater on the engine,a marine deep cycle battery, will last longer than a conventional battery.

Answer 7

I would have to go with a OPTIMA Blue Top battery. They have lots of power and last a long time.

Answer 8

Interstate deep cycle are the brand of choice, the power rating is dependent on what all you are running.

Answer 9

a deep cycle battery is good for fishing motors, not starting gas engines.. ive had good luck with interstate batteries in general. get them anywhere.

Answer 10

Optima is the best, the way it is constructed it does not contain liquid acid, it is totally vibration proof, compact and safe. Now even Wal Mart sells it.