Is it required or recommended to stick a brand new deep cycle battery on the charger before first use?  I would like to maximize the life of the battery, and make sure I don't get stranded my first time out because the battery dropped some charge from sitting on the store shelf.

Thanks,

Andy

Every battery I've ever bought went on the charger before first use.  And all them required quite a bit of time to charge up completely.  

You may be unpleasantly suprised if you go out with a new battery without charging it up first.

Yes charge it before you go out and for extended life, charge it everytime when you get back home.  Also check the water regularly and keep the plates covered.

I've never bought a deep cycle that didn't require a charge.  They rarely have enough juice in them to even crank the outboard.

Yes charge it before you go out and for extended life, charge it everytime when you get back home. Also check the water regularly and keep the plates covered.

X2  

A battery sitting uncharged is bad for the battery.  Same applies to when it's on the store shelf.  Take tester with you to the store and look for a battery that is charged.  Get a charger that will automatically turn off to prevent over charging.

and always use distilled water in your batteries..........

...and never drink the distilled water if you get thirsty...