boat batteries

RAYMOND, I'm sure the higher dollar batteries (like Optima) will last longer. I just account for trading out my regular run-of-the-mill cranking and deep cycle batteries about every 3 years. I can sometimes get 4 out of a cranking battery, but since it's a pain to switch out the cables at dusk when the livewells drained the battery, I usually don't push it. My dad's a mechanic and said the worst thing for a battery is for it to sit without a full charge, so he suggesting always to charge ASAP after a trip. After owning several boats, I remove the positive from my trolling batteries when I get home, as I've noticed a slow drain on more than one boat, and a pair of deep cycle batteries sitting drained results in a quick $300 lesson learned.