I would just put the charger on them for a couple of days prior to using them and then for a couple of days after you finish.

I bought the WalMart Everstart Marine Maxx(?) batteries. They have had good user reviews on the forums and they have a good warranty on them. But the best part about the warranty is that there is a WalMart in just about every town and many (if not all) are open 24/7. So an emergency replacement isn't far away.

I also checked the ones at Costco, but nobody there was sure about the warranty. Their battery labels only say 3 year prorated, but they kept saying it's prorated after 3 years.

The walmart ones were 3 year and prorated 6 years after that and were a little cheaper. EverStart MAXX are made by Johnson Controls (They also own/make the Optima battery, Interstate Battery, DieHard, Energizer, DureLast).

whatever u buy get the biggest amps per hour you can afford.
I went to academy and bought an agm battery. They cost a lot but I always have power for the trolling motor. They are 200 amp per hour and they do cost you some coin.. 2 year warranty

yea i was just there looking at there stowaways 205 series. like $89.00 with a $9 core charge. I hear good things about this battery

The Sears Platium Have A 4 Year Warranty And ARE NOT Prorated.

The Sears Platinum is way over priced for what your getting.. Way overpriced.

Walmart Everstart batteries actually have a 18 month non-prorated warranty and the Sears Platinum have a 36 month non-prorated. Take this from a guy that just today benefitted from both.

I went to local interstate battery distributor warehouse and bought the largest interstate marine batteries. The normally ran $139 the guy said bit he had 3 blems and guaranteed they were sound 1 had a scratch the other 2 had dings on one of the top post. I paid $145 for all 3 if they last a year I will be happy but expect to last longer. I have continetal in my older bass boat and they are running strong

Interstates would be my next choice--if i dont go with the stowaways. I havent made up my mind just yet.

I have run the Walmart's and Interstates and have had problems with both.

Are the Optima's worth the money??????

I have Inerstate's and they are going bad after 2 years...I will most likely go with Deka's or Wal-Mart Maxx batteries.

There are only a few battery Mfg in the world. Most times the only difference is the lable. I once sold Interstate at my shop. But then the Interstate rep told me that they were the same as the ones at Walmart. After a close inspection, I could figure out that MOST not all batteries come from the same place. I know alot of guys will disagree, but research how many lead acid battery mfg there are in this country. You will find only 8 plants country wide

True true--who makes the stowaway battery from academy?

JC?