Best Batteries

[Jeff H]

I have had enough of these junk Interstates and am going to buy new batteries.  Have had good luck in the past with Exide Nautilus Golds.  I've read the AC Delco Voyager is stout also.

What do you guys recommend?  Where is best place to buy?  Whats Wal-Mart carry now?  Instead of fishing this weekend I'm going battery shopping I guess.  Throw me some ideas.

[senile1]

Wal-mart sells Everstart Marine batteries.  They are good batteries.  

[BrianinMD]

What issues have you been having from the Interstate batteries?

Both of my batteries are Interstate so far no issues from them.

[Bassyak]

I used to have a regular lead acid battery in my '02 Tracker PT175, but I had so much difficulty keeping it properly watered and charged that I finally bit the bullet after a year or so and bought an Optima dry-cell (blue top) for my trolling motor battery (I still have a regular lead-acid cranking battery for the outboard).  Since I bought it in '03, that Optima has given me absolutely no trouble and has solved all my battery headaches.  In fact, when I took my boat out for the first time this season, I had forgotten to put it on the charger before I went out, and it ran like a champ for 6 hours of fishing even though it hadn't been charged since October of last year.  Yeah, they're quite a bit more expensive than other batteries (~ $150), but I'd get another one in a heartbeat if I ever get another bass boat.  Hope that helps!

[Jeff H]

My Interstates have been weak since I got them.  They don't last long enough.  Want something better.  

I am seriously considering the Optima for the trolling motor.  I've heard they are worth the extra money.  I'll have to look around.