Choosing The Right Boat Batteries

Choosing a new boat battery can be a challenge, whether you’re a boating novice or a professional fisherman. So what do you choose? Do you go for the cheaper option initially or do you invest in a longer-term option? And what type of batteries do you even need? 

Thankfully, things can be broken down pretty simply.

To talk to an expert to determine which boat battery you need, contact us here, or:

To make things ultra easy, let’s first discuss the three main types of boat batteries: starter, deep cycle, and dual-purpose.

• Starting Battery: Your boat's engine may be kicked into gear with the help of a marine battery. A cranking or starting battery serves one purpose. "Crank" refers to the speed with which a starting battery produces its total power output. Basically, the job of the starting AKA cranking batteries is to "crank" or start your boat. It won't keep your engine running. The next boat battery on the list does that.

• Deep Cycle Battery: The plates in these batteries are thicker than those found in typical starting batteries. Using these plates, they can reliably provide electricity many hours a day. They have a high number of possible charging/discharging cycles too. These work well for lighting, GPS, fish finders, and powering your trolling motor.

• Dual Purpose Marine Battery: As its name implies, this battery is a starter and a deep cycle battery. Dual-purpose batteries have always had the reputation of being "jacks of all crafts and masters of none." Some won't provide enough juice to get specific motors going. Regular deep-cycle batteries have a much shorter lifespan than the alternatives. Lithium batteries are the exception. Our 12V battery options—the 100Ah and the 125Ah—serve double duty.

And one quick sidenote before we jump into the types of batteries - battery capacity. A 12v 125Ah battery has 125 amp hours - that's what Ah stands for. In other words, it can (in theory at least) deliver 125 amps for an hour. That's its capacity, the amount of current the battery provides. The "12V" is 12 volts. Multiply the volts by the amps and you'll get the total wattage or workload of your boat battery. Learn more about Amp Hours to Watt Hours: What’s the Difference? here.

Most boats require two types of batteries: a starting battery and a deep cycle battery. Getting a boat or kayak battery that can do double duty might be appealing from a cost or storage perspective. Nevertheless, this is only recommended if you choose a lithium chemistry battery. That takes us to a different way to break down boat batteries: by chemistry.

Battery Breakdown By Chemistry 

There are two main types of marine batteries out there. When you separate them by what they’re made of, we’re talking about lead-acid and lithium.

Lead Acid Batteries

Lead acid batteries are among the most traditional forms of marine batteries. Lead plates and acid are its primary ingredients. A blend of distilled water and sulfuric acid is used in flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries, the kind you often see aboard boats. Every so often, you'll need to give them water.

Lead acid batteries are large and heavy, which are not qualities you want in a boat battery. Depending on how much power you want, you may need two or three batteries, each weighing about 80 pounds. That's equivalent to adding one to two more people! They also have the longest charging times of any battery on the market.

AGM and gel lead-acid batteries both provide certain enhancements. They won't leak and have a decreased rate of self-discharge. Nonetheless, their storage capacity is relatively little compared to their whole footprint.

With all those apparent drawbacks, why would anybody select lead acid? The main reason is that they’re initially lower in cost (especially FLA batteries). But when you factor in how frequently you'll need to replace them, their low initial cost becomes prohibitive. Lead acid marine batteries typically only have two to four years of lifespan.

Lithium (LiFePO4) Marine Batteries - the Best Marine Batteries?

Lithium LiFePO4  batteries are a newer option for maritime use. Lithium iron phosphate is an entirely new chemical compound. The difficulties that beset lead acid batteries are rendered moot by this combination. Lithium options have the advantages of being portable, lightweight, durable, and quick to recharge.

Ionic batteries have a Battery Management System that keeps them safe and extends their lifespan:

• Protects against overcharging and undercharging
• Extends the life of your lithium battery
• Calculates state of charge (gauges how much energy the battery has left)
• Checks for problems (shorts, defective cells, loose connections, etc)
• Balances cells
• Regulates temperature
• Sends real-time information to your charger
• Shuts battery down when it detects unsafe conditions

A marine battery made of lithium is also more secure and won't leak. They don't need to be maintained, giving you more time to go boating and fishing. Boaters will like that they provide the same output, whether wholly or partially charged. Hence, at the end of the day, your trolling motor and other electronics can still function as they did initially.

Lithium batteries, in contrast, to lead acid batteries, are safe to drain to below 50%. The charge state of your Ionic battery may be monitored from your smartphone thanks to its Bluetooth features. Not to mention, our 12V 100Ah and 12V 125Ah lithium deep cycle batteries are dual-purpose, meaning they can power your lights, fish finder, and other electronics in addition to starting your engine. They combine the advantages of both battery types! 

How Long Do Marine Batteries Last? Find out here!

Choosing the Right Boat Battery: Final Thoughts

Choosing the right battery for your boat is an important decision that requires consideration. Understanding the differences between the different types of batteries, including starter, deep cycle, and dual-purpose batteries is important for making that decision.

And so is understanding the chemistry of different batteries, with lead-acid and lithium batteries being the two main options. While lead-acid batteries may be initially less expensive, they come with certain drawbacks. Their weight and maintenance requirements are big factors. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, offer a lightweight, durable, and easy-to-maintain option that’s ideal for boaters and fishermen. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Did you enjoy this post? You’ll probably like these too:

• Searching for the Best Boat Battery? Here’s What to Look For
• What is the Best Battery for a Trolling Motor?
• Deep Cycle vs Starting Battery: Which One Is Right for You?