Throughout the board, the most effective trolling motor batteries are prone to final at the very least all day on a cost, and never depart you stranded or weakened after tons of of cost cycles. Past that, there are a myriad of issues to take note of when shopping for your energy supply, together with the scale of your boat, your finances, what number of you’ll want, and weight issues.
After I purchased my first bass boat in 1996, the alternatives had been comparatively easy: You purchased what the marine seller had, or no matter you could possibly discover on the native massive field or automotive retailer. You additionally anticipated random failures, and as a minimum, to have to interchange your batteries each few years. Some anglers I do know even carried an additional of their tow autos for the semi-regular failures. On the time, we didn’t know higher, however these restricted decisions underserved us.
My 18-foot bass boat had a 12/24 volt trolling motor and 43 kilos of thrust. As we speak my 20-foot mannequin has a 36-volt trolling motor and 112 kilos of thrust. The place I as soon as needed to fireplace up the outboard to go from one remoted piece of canopy to the following, now I can simply run the electrical. Simply as importantly, maybe, I count on to have the ability to try this on the finish of an extended day of fishing simply as rapidly as I do on the very begin. As we speak’s batteries are stronger, extra bulletproof, and in some circumstances, costlier, so just be sure you purchase the right choice or choices on your boating alternative.
After greater than 20 years of testing the most effective trolling motor batteries listed here are my favorites:
- Finest Lithium: Professional-Information Lithium
- Finest Finances: Bass Professional Outlets Deep Cycle 12V Marine Battery
- Finest AGM Trolling Motor Batteries: Deka Intimidator AGM Batteries
- Finest Compact: Optima Bluetop Batteries
- Finest for Kayaks: Dakota Lithium 12V 54AH Deep Cycle Battery
- Finest Finances Kayak Battery: Interstate 12V DCM0035
Finest Lithium: Professional-Information Lithium
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Why It Made the Lower
The Professional-Grade Lithium has confirmed expertise and reliability in a light-weight bundle, with a prorated guarantee.
Key Options
- Three sizes (largest/heaviest is 26 kilos)
- Distinctive corrosion-resistant terminals
- State of cost indicator constructed into the case
- Charges for 2500 cycles
Professionals
- Enclosed cell dampens the affect of vibrations
- Mild weight makes them manageable
- Withstands environmental stressors nicely
Cons
- Not cheap, particularly in the event you want a couple of
Product Description
Lithium batteries are the darlings of the boating world and likewise the villains. When working correctly, they ship max energy for lengthy intervals of time in a bundle that weighs a few third of their AGM counterparts. On the flip facet, they’re fairly costly, and a few have suffered by way of random shutdowns. Additionally, some lithium batteries have been blamed for fires. So once I determined to spend money on three Professional-Information Lithiums for my new boat, I used to be cautious however the weight and efficiency advantages gained out.
To date, I’ve been thrilled. Embarrassingly, I didn’t have my charger arrange correctly at first. I really made it by way of six lengthy days on the water earlier than I even observed. That will by no means occur with another battery sort. Furthermore, they cost rapidly, and it’s straightforward to see the state of cost. The ability is insane—I can reduce by way of grass and haul lengthy distances between docks in a flash. At solely 26 kilos apiece, it provides pace and maneuverability to my boat, and with a capability of 100 amp hours, I’ve but to run them down, regardless of attempting my finest.
Finest Finances: Bass Professional Outlets Deep Cycle 12V Marine Battery
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Why It Made the Lower
Trending: The Best Trolling Motor Batteries of 2022
The Bass Professional Outlets Deep Cycle battery is available, and presents confirmed expertise that can match any finances.
Key Options
- Two sizes
- Guarantee: Free substitute for one 12 months, and prorated for 2 years after that
- Moist cell development requires distilled water
Professionals
- Expertise has been confirmed for many years
- Finances-friendly
- Easy to get a substitute if wanted
Cons
- Upkeep required
Product Description
A lead acid, wet-cell, deep cycle battery might not be probably the most technologically-advanced member of this group, nevertheless it’s the one with the longest monitor file. Arguably, meaning they’re the least prone to have issues, however even when they do, at this value level and with a strong guarantee the Bass Professional Outlets mannequin is a discount. With a retailer simply seemingly round each nook today, an change can be easy. Fortuitously, that’s not prone to be crucial, as these vibration-resistant batteries are trade normal. They resist vibration and work in a variety of temperatures, with loads of reserve capability.
Finest AGM: Deka Intimidator AGM Batteries
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Why It Made the Lower
My Deka Intimidator is likely one of the finest trolling motor batteries as a result of it was simply as highly effective after 4 years of arduous use because the day I purchased it.
Key Options
- 11 totally different fashions out there (some higher suited to trolling motors than others)
- Safety in opposition to deep discharging
- No-spill design prevents acid leaks
Professionals
- Maintained energy for a few years
- Excessive degree of vibration resistance
- Excessive degree of freeze resistance
Cons
- Heavy weight could make putting in and eradicating troublesome
Product Description
AGM batteries are the battleships of the trolling motor world. They’re extra vibration-resistant, extra highly effective, and extra maintenance-free than moist cells, but additionally dearer, rather more unwieldy, and heavy.
These are a very good selection in the event you’re able to make the leap. I had some in my final bass boat, and when an unrelated engine drawback stranded me six miles from the ramp, I made it again in comparatively good time simply on the electrical—4 years after the preliminary battery buy. They had been nonetheless going as sturdy that day because the day I purchased the boat. To me, that’s the best endorsement ever. The 31M fashions that I’ve used have 1000 marine cranking amps and 200 minutes of reserve capability, which implies they’ll begin your boat in addition to they run the trolling motor, in the event you choose to make use of them for alternate functions. They’re available at quite a lot of retailers and retailers, and even in the event you’re utilizing “one other model,” you may very well be utilizing Dekas simply badged as one thing else.
Finest Compact: Optima Bluetop Batteries
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Why It Made the Lower
The Optima Blue Prime is nice compromise between lithium and a standard AGM battery.
Key Options
- 4 sizes
- Upkeep free
- Compact design
Professionals
- Survives tons of of recharges
- Will be mounted in just about any place
- Twin-use
Cons
- Dear
Product Description
The Optima Bluetops incorporate AGM design right into a body that’s lighter and considerably extra compact than the often-unwieldy AGMs from different producers. Which means you get the unbelievable runtime and the excessive variety of recharges this class supplies, however with out the space-stealing footprint of the competitors.
There are 4 fashions to satisfy anglers’ specific energy wants and area limitations, however all of them include the identical confirmed reliability. They’re additionally extensively out there, so in the event you do run into a problem an change or substitute shouldn’t be an issue—however their trouble-free design makes that unlikely. They’re really plug-and-play. Put them within the boat and put together to run your trolling motor so long as you may stand to be out.
Finest for Kayaks: Dakota Lithium 12V 54AH Deep Cycle Battery
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Why It Made the Lower
Kayak anglers want a light-weight and compact battery to energy their motors, and the Dakota Lithium delivers.
Key Options
- 9.01” x 5.43” x 8.38” footprint
- 17.6 kilos
- 54 amp hours
Professionals
- Lengthy-lasting energy
- Specialised charger included
- Doesn’t take up a lot area
Cons
- Not cheap
Product Description

Trending: 3 Best Kayak Trolling Motor Battery Chargers
Kayak anglers have a particular set of wants that require a specialised battery: They should battle the present and canopy water similar to larger boats, however in addition they have main area issues. For these with the wherewithal to spend money on a lithium battery, the Dakota Lithium takes all of this under consideration and does an exceptionally workmanlike job of pumping out energy. It’ll deal with as much as 2,000 cycles at 80 % discharge and expenses rapidly with the included charger, so anglers can get again on the water day after day after day—and people days will probably be much more environment friendly because of their substantial energy. The battery comes with an incredible 11-year guarantee, must you ever run into any issues. It can be used to energy the most effective kayak fish finders.
Finest Finances Kayak Battery: Interstate 12V DCM0035
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Why It Made the Lower
For kayak anglers on a finances the Interstate 12V supplies dependable and constant energy.
Key Options
- Dimensions: 5.16 inches x 7.68 inches x 6.42 inches
- Weight: 22.90 kilos
- AGM development
Professionals
- Finances-friendly
- Confirmed reliability
- Non-spillable sealed design
Cons
- Barely heavier than lithiums
Product Description
It is a fairly “vanilla” battery, however that’s meant in a very optimistic method. It’s confirmed expertise, works with quite a lot of chargers, and can most positively not break the financial institution. Positive, it’s a bit of bit heavier than most lithium fashions, however not a lot as to be a game-changer. Moreover, at solely a fraction of the worth of most different batteries it’s a real discount. Interstates are one of the crucial widespread and widely-available batteries as a result of they supply dependable energy and likewise due to their value. For the informal angler, they’re a no brainer, and even for the seasoned kayak event professional they’re a viable alternative.
Issues to Contemplate
Finances
How a lot do you need to spend or wish to spend? Whether or not you want one trolling motor battery or three of them, that’s the primary guideline, however there’s extra to it than that. In the event you preserve the boat for greater than only a few years, you’ll have to interchange your batteries, so for instance, one thing that lasts thrice as lengthy at twice the worth will really become a discount. And naturally, if discount basement batteries aren’t as much as snuff within the first occasion, you had been penny sensible and pound silly.
Expertise
There are moist cell batteries, superior glass mat (AGM) and lithium fashions. All have their benefits and downsides, together with differing value factors.
Measurement/Weight
Completely different boats have totally different storage capacities and may not be capable of match or heft your battery of alternative. That requires compromise on events. Kayaks specifically are weight- and space-sensitive and require cautious consideration. After I switched from AGMs to lithiums in my bass boat, I dropped over 150 kilos from the rear finish of the boat, including pace, however requiring totally different trim and jackplate ranges for optimized driving.
Guarantee
Most batteries have a interval of “no questions requested” substitute, adopted by a interval of prorated guarantee. Take that under consideration, in case they go down at an inopportune time, but additionally contemplate the circumstances round substitute. Is it over-the-counter from the shop down the road, or will you need to mail it again someplace and wait a month for evaluation and substitute?
FAQ
Last Ideas
It’s solely when their trolling motor batteries get noticeably weakened or die altogether that the majority anglers give them a second thought. That’s a mistake as a result of in lots of situations you can’t fish with out them—they’re actually the belt loops that maintain up the belt which holds up your pants. That’s more and more true within the kayak world, the place lengthy days in present demand long-lasting. It additionally issues with larger boats, as a result of excessive fuel costs lead many people to choose an space aside slightly than run and gun from spot to identify. Mainly, the most effective trolling motors want the most effective trolling motor batteries to work to their full potential.
Methodology
I’m arduous on trolling motor batteries I spend plenty of time with the trolling motor on excessive, and lengthy days of deep discharges that take max effort from my charger. I’m additionally a value-hound, with a robust desire for saving {dollars}, however keen to spend extra when it makes monetary and sensible sense to take action. Over practically 30 years of boat possession I’ve tried nearly each technique and realized that there are professionals and cons to all of them.
Please see more summary list Best trolling motor battery charger ranked by customer satisfaction.
Source: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-trolling-motor-batteries/