Hello TFF! My skeeter currently has 4 Continental batteries, two of them are reading zero amps and will not hold a charge. So I am in need of two new deep cycle trolling batteries. What do you guys use and in past experiences are the "best" batteries out there? Both batteries I have to replace are less than 2 years old.

buy 3

I have Trojans, I like them

suggest buying three because the weaker of the 3 in the series will bring down the others?

Yea I've always been told when one goes due to age, they should all be replaced. Speaking about the TM batteries, not the cranking. How long did your Continental batteries last? If they lasted for 3-4 years, I'd go with them again. They're cheap(er), and you already have had success with them. That's what I have in my Skeeter and they're going on 3 years.

I just replaced my Interstate batteries that came from the factory in 2012. They made it over 4 years before needing to be replaced. I also did a Minn Kota 3 bank charger around the same time. I went back with Interstate. Their prices aren't bad at all either.

Walmart 29 series MAXX.

from the factory in early 2014. they held up their end of the bargin but I wanted to just check out there and see what everyone has been using and see if it was worth the money switching to another brand.

EverStart Maxx Marine Battery, Group Size 29DC from Wal-Mart. I think I have only changed them out twice in 10 years.

a lot of bang for your buck at $99 then huh?

I've had good luck so far with the blue top Optima. They are a little more expensive and not as heavy.

I went overboard and bought three Optima group 34. For the trolling motor,, Will run all day long and when the charger is put on them they only pull 2 bars out of 6. Get you a Odyessy 31M-PC2150 cranking battery . I am afraid to turn a switch because the boat might turn over. If you run lots of toys.

Optima

I'm replacing all four of mine next week. I have a blue Optima crank going on 6 years and three Interstate gr 31 going on 4 years. They are not dead just around 50%, I'm replacing them with the same set of batteries. Being an Interstate dealer has it's advantages

Interstates for me.

almost all batteries are only as good as the care you take when mantainence comes into play. That said, my next new set will be Walmart 29's. Best bang for the buck. No pun intended.....hopefully.