What size/type battery for a 95 SN?

Nevermind. Did a little research. The BCI Group 48 batteries are the correct size to fit in the battery box, and a deep cycle is not really required. Just ask any battery dealer if they carry that group size.
Mark

Mark,
Did someone actually recommend a Deep cycle? Hopefully it wasn't when you where out shopping and a dealer told you that - unless he thought you had a electric trolling motor on your boat! Yes, just as Tim mentioned, no deep cycle for starting!

The previous owner probably thought "deep cycle" sounded more serious. Plus, they're usually marketed as "Marine" adding confusion.

Just reading up on that stuff now myself. Sounds like Deep Cycles are more to run cabin accessories etc. in bigger boats?

8122pbrainard wrote: Bri892001 wrote: Sounds like Deep Cycles are more to run cabin accessories etc. in bigger boats? Small loads over long times. Starting is a BIG load for a short time.

Thanks Pete,
That's the best clean/simple explanation I've read.

My Optima Marine "Dual Purpose" battery is giving up the ghost after 5 years of service. I was hoping it might go longer. That's the last Optima I buy for 200.00!

east tx skier wrote: Just to sum it up and add one more group, Groups 34, 48, or 65 will fit the battery box.

So, anyone of these would fit in my 93 Ski Nautique battery box, right? I'm replacing mine this weekend.

So, 65 being the ideal?

Will all Walmarts or Napas have these off the shelf typically?

Ok, thanks Chris.

^^Cool. Good to know. I'll be making at Walmart on my way to NH.

Lee - Use it until it fails - you already spent the money!

What do you guys think of AGM batteries vs. flooded cell? Surprised to see the Wal-Mart batteries come so highly recommended. I can get a great price on group 34 AGM's through work and was thinking of going that direction for my new boat this spring. But the group 65 Walmart is still cheaper. Seems to me that the vibration resistance and durability/maintenance free aspect of the AGM's would be a big plus. Not to mention that they usually last 5+ years, and I have seen some of my customers come in with 9 year old AGM's that just died. Worth it or not?

76tique wrote: What do you guys think of AGM batteries vs. flooded cell? Surprised to see the Wal-Mart batteries come so highly recommended. I can get a great price on group 34 AGM's through work and was thinking of going that direction for my new boat this spring. But the group 65 Walmart is still cheaper. Seems to me that the vibration resistance and durability/maintenance free aspect of the AGM's would be a big plus. Not to mention that they usually last 5+ years, and I have seen some of my customers come in with 9 year old AGM's that just died. Worth it or not?

AGM's have been holding up pretty good for my offshore boats and have not had any complaints thus far. They are generally a little more expensive and most people that own boats now that batteries just don't last as long as they should on the marine environment so they are apprehensive to spend the extra cash.

You'll just have to determine if you want to spend the extra cash. I say if you have a lot of extra electronics, it may pay off. Just make sure if you plan on using a battery charger that it is designed for AGM's, they charge different from gel and lead acid. Allen

I read s was somewhere, and I'd bet it was here that there are very few battery manufacturers and many stickers. The name on the battery commands the price. This helped explain why a department store battery was performing as good as or better than a specific brand battery as they were one in the same. If this thread keeps going I'm sure that info will resurface.
I try to buy the battery with the most cold cranking hours for the dimensional size I need. Cranking is the starting power.

The big difference with a marine battery is that there are the smaller posts with wingnuts for outboard motors. These may be in addition to the larger auto style ones.

Deep cycle are used for electric driven items, trolling motors, boat lifts, golf carts, Something that runs down a battery and gets re charged over and over.

The one thing I would love is to find the correct battery that fits my battery box. It sticks up just a little and closing the passenger seat over on top of it the seat moves a little because the battery is bigger than the box itself.

When I was sold on this carquest battery, multi purpose battery, the guy said the most important thing about marine batterys is cold cranking amps. The other brands that he was selling at the current time did not have from his experience enough cold cranking amps.

I did not know walmart sold good marine batterys?? I will have to give them a try next time.

Well, I went with the Everstart MAXX Group 65 from Walmart that Tim suggested. Worked great this weekend.

Word to the wize: Bring your old battery with you because they charge a $9 core charge. If you have your old battery with you, you can get the $9 back immediately. Otherwise, you have to make a return trip to the store.

skicat2001 wrote: The one thing I would love is to find the correct battery that fits my battery box. It sticks up just a little and closing the passenger seat over on top of it the seat moves a little because the battery is bigger than the box itself.

Yes, I ran into the same problem originally. I was going to just buy a battary from my boat storage place. He actually had a good price on a good battery but it was too tall. My old battery was very small all around, it fit great, but was past it's prime.

This Group 65 size, is long and low. Fits just right in our battery boxes.

I called a Napa in Sanbornville NH (pretty small town) and he said he had about a dozen 65s on the shelf. I think the only reason I didn't go with them is because I passed a Walmart first.

It doesn't necessarily have to be anything fancy from what people seem to be saying. Any decent automotive starting battery in those sizes. It doesn't have to be marine either, because our boats used the clamps, like a car, and not the wing-nut type fasteners.