Battery help needed

Shopping for a new 12v battery. Powers 24lb thrust minn kota and sonar.

The reason i am posting this is because of the different prices and types. I remember awhile back when i bought my current dead one that there were different versions, why?

Optima looks like a good battery, and also very expensive.

Any thoughts?

A battery best used for a trolling motor is a true deep cycle. Many marine batteries are called deep cycle but the are a hybrid between a deep cycle and a starting battery. A true deep cycle contain solid lead plates which can be drawn down 80 % and be recharged over and over for a long period. A marine battery can also be drawn down and recharged but the plates are not solid they are sponge plates and will not last as long as a true deep cycle. Batteries come in different size groups 24,27,etc. The bigger the battery the more APH you will have. Lots of good batteries on the market.Optimas are good and yes expensive. You get what you pay for.

Don't mean to hijack your post but I had the same question...looking to get my boat back on the water and running trolling motor and sonar. Has anyone tried running 2 tandem batteries? I'm not against buying 2 that way I'll always have one fully charged. If I can get away with 1 that will last me all day that would be great. I usually drift out and troll back or vice versa so I don't have it running all of the time.

Outdoor, what is the brand that you have purchased in the past?

I believe the Optima batteries were originally designed for high vibration environments like off roading and racing, and the technology spilled over to the RV/boating world...and yes, they are expensive!

A good group 27 DEEP CYCLE battery should work fine for you as you described how you plan to use it.

You asked about the different "versions" that you see available...
Group 24, 27 and 29 just means the "size" or "capacity" that the battery has to supply current.

"Deep Cycle" maeans that it can provide low to moderate current over a longer period of time before needing recharged.
"Marine Starting" means that it will provide substantially hight current flow for much shorter time, as in cranking your outboard. The "marine" designation basically means that the tests to determine the ratings are taken at 32 degrees temperature. Automotive ratings are done at 0 degrees temperature. (A 1000CCA marine battery would be roughly equal to a 750CCA automotive battery).
A "Dual Purpose" is kind of a cross between the two and could be used as a "reserve" or "house" battery to run your electronics while drifting and then start your engine if your starting battery happened to fail.

As for Wal-Mart as a source for your batteries...I get my starting and my dual purpose batteries there, merely because if I need to warranty replace one, the stores are a dime a dozen and open 24 hours making it convenient.
Deep Cycle batteries I get at Tractor Supply...their Deep batteries seem to behave a little better for me than the Wal-Mart ones!

Hope this helps...
...just my own thoughts!

NAPA has very good batteries and a nation wide warranty. i use napa #8301 which is the 27 battery and i have 7 years on it and still going. only use it for powering a 40# trolling motor but it lasts all day

I recently purchased two Energizer Group 29DC batteries from Sam's Club for $90 with a full 1/3 year warranty. I have not used them on my 24 volt Terrova as of yet.

When I checked, a Walmart sales associate said the 18 mo. full warranty was eliminated last year and there is now zero full warranty...none.

My last Cabelas battery lasted 6 years. They are about
$120 (plus trade in fee and 7% tax) currently for wet cells at the store in WV.

Previous experiences (over 30 years) found deep cycles lasted about 4 years give or take a bit. They may be getting better?

You want the DC (deep cycle) as the dual purpose batteries do not do both (deep cycle and starting) extremely well. They do a bit on both ok.

My comments are based on my experiences and reading.
Google deep cycle batteries and you will get many helpful sites from the pros.

Use a good multi-stage charger and desulfate occasionally.

I bought the everstarts at wal-mart about 3-4 years ago and had no problems!

Interstate make sure you get the one that says trolling on it fished arthur for two days and forgot to charge it between trips and still had battery to spare I am very impressed with the interstate