starting battery

[kato811]

i need a new starting battry for my boat . are the optimas any good ? ive heard theey are but thought id check to see if anyone has had problems with them

[united jigsticker]

Fleet Farm brand batterys are very excellent quality and also extremely easy on the pocket book.

[T-ProGuy]

Just bought an optima starting battery for my boat this year...so far so good, although I haven't had a chance to really give the battery a good work out yet. It will definitely get one this weekend.

[mamohr686]

That question really depends on the type of outboard and if your running any electronics/bilge/livewell/etc off of the same cranking battery. I highly suggest interstate group 24MXHD batteries for a cranking battery for a carbed or efi outboard and/or your also running boat electronics off of the starter. It has lots of reserve and charges fast. A larger battery is required for direct injected engine technology (ram ficht, opti or hpdi) because of the continuous draw from the computerized engine.

optimas are top of the line but I have trouble spending the extra $125 over the battery I mentioned for similar performance.

[Kevin Turner]

I feel the Optima is worth the Xtra $$$. KT

[MJCatfish]

I agree with mamohr686. I talked with some battery reps and decided to go with the Interstate SRM 40, which I believe is the same or similar battery to the one he listed above. It's got a deep cycle, but also cranks well. The deep cycle allows you two things: The ability to run your electronics and crank your motor. Most of the time you don't get a real good charge on your battery from you outboard unless you take extremely long runs or troll with it for an hour or more. This battery keeps a pretty good charge for some time. Sorry I'm not real specific on cranking amps, charging hrs., etc. I know there is a nice lay out on the Interstate web site.

[jkthill]

For a cranker I always go with Interstate batteries. I ran one in my cuddy cabin for 10 years trouble free. they run anywhere from $55-$70 so there also affordable. As with any marine battery, run a trickel charge to it once or twice a month during the winter storage period and you will get years of service out of it.

JK