A few questions for this first timer

[Jiggah]

Ok guys, tax time is coming up and I plan on getting my first boat ever! It will be a small aluminum boat. I know I am going to need a battery, battery charger and some other things.

As for the battery, which battery/batteries do you guys use? I want one for the Trolling Motor and one for the Outboard Motor.
- I heard interstate marine 27 Deep Cycle batteries are great?

As for the battery charger, what do you guys use?

Thanks!

[skeetbum]

Many choices for all of the above. For the TM, try to get the most thrust you can afford. 12 volts go up to 55 lbs thrust. Battery series go from 24, 27, 29, and 31. Keep in mind they get heavier as they go. Chargers need to be automatic, meaning that they quit charging when the charge is complete and go into maintenance mode where they just trickle charge as needed. On board chargers are nice and take care of all batteries at the same time by simply plugging them in. 2 batteries gets a 2 bank charger. Makes life simple. The car chargers only do one at a time and don't like wet conditions.

[Jiggah]

The TM is a 55 trust, so I'm guessing just a regular car battery?

I was going to use one for TM and one for fish finder. Sorry not outboard as it will be gas

["G"]

The TM is a 55 trust, so I'm guessing just a regular car battery?

I was going to use one for TM and one for fish finder. Sorry not outboard as it will be gas

No No...Must be a Deep Cycle battery or it will not last very long...The larger the group size the more run time you will have at the lake.

[CrappiePappy]

I'm using Everstart batteries, and pretty much always have. I think I had one Interstate, a long time ago, and it didn't last but a year or so, while my Everstart's have always lasted well past their warranty period. And that was back when I only had one battery to run everything in the boat, including starting the big motor (which was a 70hp Yammy).

I'm currently using a Group 24 for the big motor and console switches (including a small HB 2d depthfinder) ... and a Group 29 for the trolling motor and bow mounted Lowrance DI depthfinder. The batteries are kept charged by a Minn-Kota MK220 onboard charger. It's a 2 bank charger @ 10a per bank. The Group 24 will be 6yrs old next month, and my Group 29 is just a little over a year old. The Group 29 replaced a Group 27 that came with the boat (and lasted nearly 5yrs).

One thing I would advise to do ... is look for the mfg date sticker and get the one with the latest date. Pick them out, yourself ... don't let the floor staff do it for you (they'll grab the first one they see, or is the easiest to get to). IF the store doesn't have any less than 6mo old (on the shelf), ask if they have any newer ones in their storage room. I also check the label to make sure the battery was made by Johnson Controls.

[Jiggah]

Minn-Kota MK220 onboard charger $349?! Wow.

[CrappiePappy]

Minn-Kota MK220 onboard charger $349?! Wow.

Don't know where you found that price .... but this is more reasonable : https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-Boar.../dp/B0042TAO10 (and it's "digital" ... mine is not).

[Jiggah]

What about this one? https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...tery/105864134

[CrappiePappy]

What about this one? https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...tery/105864134

That's what I use for a starting battery. And even though I don't usually run the big motor all that much, my 90Merc 2strk will usually keep it almost fully charged, so that when I do put the battery back on the charger, it only takes a few minutes before the "full charge" green light comes on.

[Jiggah]

Awesome thanks!