Installing a 24V trolling motor on my boat. I have already run new 6 gauge wire to the batteries now I want to use the best type of connectors for the batteries possible. Also looking for proper tools for stripping and crimping as well. Any advice on type of connectors and tools?

probably  the best thing you can use is a butt splicer.  then cover it with heat shrink tube and then cover with liquid duct tape.  If you walked into my ACE store that is what I would tell you.

These are the best http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0001110011811a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=connectors&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=connectors&noImage=0 if your looking for quick disconnect type. There are no male and female, you just buy two and they just turn over and push together. Grainger's has them for about half price for what Cabela's gets if there price is for just the one and not the pair they show.

As for a crimper, they make one that you stick the terminal in and hit with a hammer. One of the welding supply places may have that one and it's not very expensive and works great. If you can find and industrial electrician the may have a set of Thomas and Betts', they look like big bolt cutters, and get him to crimp them for you. Don't look at buying those, they are about $700.

They are good connectors Way2Slow, you can get the connectors from local battery retailers for about half the price of Cabelas or BPS. I dont crimp mine, usually just clamp the lug in a vice and heat with a propante torch and solder the wire in the barrel with Rosin Core Solder, never come out.

Excuse the spelling that should be Propane Torch, guess I'am not as smart as a 5th Grader.

McMaster-Carr has them cheap too. Go to www.mcmaster.com and search for 7043K21. Nice thing about ordering these is they have replacement contacts available. Oh, I solder mine as well. 6 years old and running strong.

The first rule in soldering is to make a good mechancial connection before soldering. You should always properly crimp the terminals before soldering them.

This post is good timing for me.  I ordered a new Minn kota 70pd/ap/us 24v and am waiting on it's arrival.  I re-wired for 6 gauge also.  An after thought I have had is "will the trolling motor recepticle's come with 8 gauge adapter or 6 gauge?  If so, does everyone cut and splice a new pigtail?

If you get them from Graingers or some place like that you can order one for 6ga wire to fit your boat calbes and one 8ga or what ever you TM calbe is.   They even come in different colors if you have a preference.  Just be sure you order both the same color.  Only same colors connect together, unless you cut the center key out of them.

For connecting two wires of 6 or 8 AWG I use a split bolt connector and cover with electrical tape. No need for special tools, just two wrenches. Plus, they are easy to take apart if needed.

To connect to a battery I use a screw set ring terminal. They can be purchased at lowes, home depot or Sears Hardware. Again, no special tool needed and can be removed if needed.