[Fishthoughts]

I was looking to get a deep cycle marine battery for a trolling motor (Minn Kota Vector 55). Any brand / model you would recommend? Thanks.

 

[toothdoc]

Optima. :wink: Expensive, but they are the best. If you are a member of Costco you can pick up one there.

 

[twoglasseyes]

Yeah. Don't be cheap on the battery. If I was going to replace the one I use now, I would go with what doc said. They get good reviews for quality, and they are comparatively light. (My battery, the biggest of the "ever-start" line, has never let us down, sometimes using it several days in a row with no charge, but it weighs almost 70 pounds. :roll: )

 

[BassCaster]

Optima Blue Top!!!!!. I have one and it goes a long time. Lighter than most. $155.00 at cosco. Worth every cent.

 

[ClancyWiggum]

I have a $75 one from BPS and it works great, but it's a bit heavy.

 

[FishinMatt]

Optima or Trojan if you want more then a season or two of use out of the battery :wink:

 

[twoglasseyes]

And invest in a good, automatic battery charger. One that you can set and forget.

 

[Fishthoughts]

Thanks guys! I'm sold on the Optima Bluetop. I'll be going to Costco tomorrow. Can't wait to try the new motor.

 

[toothdoc]

Make sure that you have a deep cycle charger. :wink:

 

[Fishthoughts]

Thanks, Tim. I bought one from Minn Kota that should be arriving tomorrow.

 

[Andrew_R]

Bought an Everstart for $55 at wal-mart yesterday.

I've had one for one of my trolling motors for 5yrs now still running strong and got another one for another trolling motor I have.

I suppose that if you maintain the batteries well by charging immediately after use and keeping them off solid ground as well as out of cold air by storing them in room temperature, they will last a while.

 

[junglejim]

I worked for the company that makes Optima Batteries and I don't think they are worth the money . The biggest selling point is their size and the fact as they are spill proof. As far as resereve power there are many battries that are less expense.

 

[twoglasseyes]

I do love my everstarts. The only one I have ever had go bad was the one I left hooked up in the vette all winter. :roll: That was my bad.

 

[Fishthoughts]

Man, I just got my trolling motor - Vector 55 by Minn Kota. I think I underestimated the size of this thing. It's freakin huge! I was going to use this on small rental boats. Oh well.

 

[twoglasseyes]

That will be perfect! Sounds like an excellent motor. Thats about 3 2/3 horsepower i believe 8)

 

[kayakrich]

This weekend I purchased a Nautilus Gold marine battery at Murray's Auto Parts on Addison Street just west of Elston.

I had read somewhere that Exides were a good battery, hope so.

What's interesting is that for deep cycle batteries Murray's had something for $60 and then my battery for $94. I told the salesperson Jesus that I wasn't planning on spending that much, and then I was silent.

Jesus filled the silence by offering to take 10% off the price.

Since the fish was "nibbling" I countered at 15%. Jesus checked with his manager and I had a 15% discount on my $94 battery.

So, at least at Murray's Auto Parts on W. Addison in Chicago, don't be afraid to negotiate a bit when you purchase a deep cycle battery.

I just hope the battery turns out to be a good one.

 

[Fishthoughts]

Good job, Kayakrich. That's awesome. Please let us know how it works out for you.

I took Andrew's advice and went to Wal-mart and picked up a deep cycle for $50+. I haven't used it yet b/c it was meant to be a back-up battery in case my optima died out.

I've been to Deep Lake three times now, and it's been windy there all three times. Given the wind and the weeds, I think having two batteries is a minimum requirement.

Good luck and thanks for sharing.