My interstate batteries are lagging or quick to run low a lot faster than I first had them. They're only 26 months old. Thinking about going with Walmart batteries but iffy at the moment.

I've had excellent luck with the Optima Blue Tops. Running Deka Maintenance Frees in my FX right now. I would have gone with the Optimas but the shop didn't have any in stock, and I needed batteries that day. The Dekas don't seem as strong as the Optimas.

I tried about every brand over the years. The Optima Blue tops are the best I have run. My current trio are 4 years strong and still going great.

one my interstate battery's has gone bad, and I know its not that old. Maybe time to find a different brand that will last longer then a couple of years.

Thank you all for your input on this thread. Anybody else have anything else to say about batteries? Has anybody tried lithium batteries?

Have Walmart batteries. Less than a year old and got stranded on the lake with a bad one. Heard too many bad things about them. Easy to exchange and the warranty starts over when you do the exchange them. Walmarts are everywhere so saved me on a Fork trip being able to swap it out. Going to look for something different next time.

Interstate and Exide are the two worst. I've never found anything at Walmart but Marine starting batteries, and no, their clerks do not know the difference.
I buy Delco Voyager at A-Line and have had the best luck with them. I had a pair that lived on a charger and ran a 12V refrigerator on a sailboat for 8 years and were still going when I sold it. Any of the maintenance free batteries are going to be a good value.My dealer likes Deka but that is what he sells. I've had one on my Seaark as a start battery for a year and a half with no issues, but that's not really a good test. My deep cycle batteries for 12V and 24V are Voyagers.
As usual with these "what's the best" questions you are going to get answers all over the map.

3 group 29's on TM bought in 09 running strong still
group 31 Interstate commercial starting doing well after 2 years
next time honestly don't know

I can see the technological superiority of Li-Ion, but it is hard to see any value at current prices (around $5000 for a complete setup).

Optima is what I run too. You can buy them online directly from the factory and pay no sales tax, no core charge and free shipping. In Texas, you'll typically get them 2 to 3 days after they're ordered. I run 27 series on my trolling motor and have a 31 series for starting and electronics. I just replaced them this year and the previous batteries had been in place since 09.

Thanks TTID. I think I'll go back to the Blue Tops after this newest set of Dekas jumps the shark. I've never kept a boat long enough to know how long the Optimas will last, but 4-5 years seems pretty common. Break down the cost over useful life compared to other batteries, and I still believe the Optimas to be the best bang for your buck in a maintenance free battery.

I use Optima spiral wound marine batteries (BLUE TOP). They last me 5-6 years. I fish 2-3 days a week and charge them every time I come in. They are expensive- but not really when you get that many years out of them. I have had three so far. Can be purchased just about anywhere - auto stores, bass pro, academy, etc..

I'm pleased to see the favorable real-world reviews of the Optima Blue-Top. Yesterday I just replaced the 3 original batteries in my '13 Puma with 3 new Optima Blues. The up-front cost stings, but long-term performance and value is where I hope to see the return.

Based on how my back feels today -- would be nice if those Optimas had handles on them like a normal battery, which would make dropping them in place just a little less a stretch.

I'm still using the original 3 Interstates that came with my 2013 Nitro and they have been fine. I have 27 series on troll motor and 24 series for cranking. I keep the boat in my garage and always top off batteries immediately after a trip. I initially use onboard charger and then hook up my smart charger for final charge/check of condition. I've used Walmart Everstarts in the past on other boats and have had good performance also....guess I been lucky.

I am running a 100AH AGM sealed battery and can power my 36lb Newport Vessels trolling motor on my Ascend FS128T kayak for 4 hours straight at my highest speed setting. It is heavy at 63 lbs and only cost $120 on Amazon but well worth it.
I made my own pulse width modulation speed controller to adjust speed and save on battery to keep me on the water ALL day with 50% power left over.
You cannot go wrong getting an AGM sealed battery with HIGH amp hours. The 35AH wheel chair batteries are a good option as well. Lighter but you can run a TM all day at varying speeds.