Hey guys. I'm getting ready to buy 3 new trolling batteries. I have a 101 fortrex. I can get a really good deal on the optima blue tops. My questions is who has experience with these and would they recommend them. I'm looking at either the the d34 or the d31?

Thanks for the help

Any battery is only as good as the charger used to keep them ready. If you have a quality charger and leave it plugged in when not using the boat, any battery will last it's designed life span.

That said, abuse a blue top, or any optima for that matter, and it's an expensive lesson.

The Blue tops are the only batteries I use and I have been using them for years. Trolling and Cranking

I just went to Walmart. Less than 300 bucks I have new batteries. The batteries I pulled were 4 years old and I use them all the time. Started fishing Flw in 2003 and had one battery go bad in that span. I was in Del Rio at Amistad and at 4 am I got a new battery free of charge. Automotive was closed but the manager helped me out

The only number to look at that matters for trolling motor batteries is reserve capacity. Those Optima's do not have a high reserve capacity. They may work for some people but I would try to get 200 RC batteries at least if you fish full days and you fish in the wind. 225s are even better.

The Optima Blue top D31M battery has an RC of 155.
Trojan SCS 225 battery has an RC of 225.

Now, the Trojans do require maintenance, but I'll check my water every once in a while if it means I don't run out of juice on the lake.

+1 for Walmart Batteries. I've been using them for 15 years and they don't cost that much!!!!!!

Same as mentioned above, optimas are quality batteries, but their RC and Amp Hours aren't very good. On the cheap side there are things like wal mart batteries and exides at academy that have good 100 amp hour 200 RC ratings. Or if you like AGMs like the optimas are, I know exide makes their group 31 with 200RC. Also Duracell I think makes a big AGM. A couple others I'm sure I'm forgetting. But go big!

I switched to those Duracell AGMs (Deka). World of difference. Batteries and Bulbs stores have a decent price on them.

I bought mine at Sams. First time to be out with them.

I ran optimas several years ago and they would run down on a real windy day. I didn't think they were any better than cheaper batteries.

Sams in TX wasn't stocking them when I was looking. Good to know that. Which Sams did you buy at?

If you can get a good deal on optima blue tops get them.
Mine are going on 6 years now and still going strong.

I have had the best luck with Interstate batteries, but I may try those walmart batteries in the future.

I have always had GOOD luck with Walmart, they run all day and I save some $$$.

+ 50 on Walmart battery's . Remember, like everything else in Walmart, it's not made by Walmart . They only sell it and warranty it and they do a good job of it. If you maintain and use as directed they will last as long as others and at a reasonable price.