Boat batteries tend to last around three to four years but can last you up to six years. You want to equip your boat with the best setup you can, not only to keep your boat running top-notch but also to keep costs down.

Learn how to select the best boat battery for your configuration here.

1. Understanding Boat Battery Types

All serving the same purpose, providing power, boat batteries are each very different. Each may seem like the next, but a close review will determine which fits your needs.

Cranking Battery

These are also known as starting batteries; they provide quick bursts of energy. Their primary use, as you would imagine, is to activate the starter of the boat. 

The cranking battery receives a quick recharge from the boat’s alternator. This is so it is ready to start the boat back up at a moment’s notice. 

Deep Cycle

The majority of accessories on a boat and the trolling motor or motors, drain power at a much lower rate. A deep cycle battery is the marathon runner; a cranking battery is a sprinter. 

Deep cycle batteries generally get a charge later in the day and do not charge as quickly as a cranking battery does. 

Dual Purpose Battery

There are situations where the use of a separate cranking and deep-cycle battery is not feasable. Most instances are in smaller crafts or ones with weight restrictions.

You should only use a dual-purpose battery if necessary. They do not operate as well as their counterparts.

Know their uses

You can use a deep cycle battery as a starting battery, however, you do not want to use a starting battery as a deep cycle battery.  A deep cycle battery will provide cranking power and start your engine, however, if you disharge and recharge a starting battery it will damage the plates inside the battery and result in premature failure of the starting battery. 

2. Further Categorizing

Four different internal technologies make up the various batteries, each with individual pros and cons;

• Fooded Lead Acid
• Absorbed Glass Mat
• Gel Cell
• Lithium-Ion

Flooded Lead-acid was the first-ever developed and the most commonly used. They are among the most cost-effective options. They are straightforward to manage for both deep cycle discharges and starting needs.

But, they do require maintenance, and they don't provide as much vibration resistance as some of the other types.

AGM batteries, because of their design, are commonly used in Marine applications. The electrolyte is abdsornbed into a specialized glass mat similar to a sponge. Therefore they provide better vibration resistance and are less susceptible to sulfation. 

But, they do not liketo be overcharged so you need to make sure that if you are using it in a deep cycle application your charger is made to charge an AGM battery. 

Gel batteries are the least used of the bunch. They are no longer as readily availalble as AGM batteries and are only required in certain applications. They also can develop reduced run time through improper charging. 

Lithium-Ion batteries are beneficial to both boaters and the planet alike as they are the most environmentally friendly battery. They also have the greatest life expectancy and lowest weight.

With these benefits comes a higher price tag. Lithium Ion batteries also take a special lithium compatible charger to charge them. 

3. Ampere Hour Rating

Amp-hour rating factors into the length of time a motor will run on water, much like a gas tank does the same for a car. The main numbers needed are the rating of the battery and the draw of the boat.

For example, if you are using a battery with a 120 aH rating with a 20 amp draw, there will be a 6 hour run time.

4. Reserve Capacity

This relates to how long the battery will keep the boat powered up before dying. The higher the RC rating longer it keeps running; on average, this tends to be around a 90-minute rating.

This is based on a fully charged battery providing an output of 25 amps of energy. It is important to note that the countdown will stop when the battery’s output drops below 10.5 volts.

5. Marine Cranking Amps

These are a rating of amps produced when starting an engine at 32 degrees. The higher the number, the better, as expected. You will want to find a number that is equal to or greater than what your manufacturer suggests. 

Pair The Best Boat Battery With The Best Boat

Knowing what goes where and what makes the biggest difference when choosing a boat battery, you are ready to set out on an even better trip as soon as possible.

And for all your needs, both equipment and information-wise, remember to stop by Complete Battery.

Warehouse Battery Outlet's goal is to get you access to the battery you need. We stock batteries for almost everything, including common batteries such as alkaline batteries, watch batteries, hearing aid batteries and dog collar batteries as well as more obscure batteries such as Bipower prizmatic batteries. Located in Quakertown PA, Warehouse Battery Outlet offers local delivery for specific items on business accounts. Our 13,000 square feet of warehouse and retail space makes for  WBO's superior buying power allows us to provide, to our customers, the most competitive pricing in the industry today. Servicing the areas of Allentown, King of Prussia, and surrounding areas daily!