I have a Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 55lb thrust. My boat is a 16.5' St Maurice (fiberglass). I am looking to buy a 12 volt battery that will be dedicated to the trolling motor. What is the most desirable battery for this application, brand and reserve capacity. I need the battery to last a full 8 hours!! My first tournament is in May and I need to buy a battery soon!!! Please Help!

Make sure whatever you get it is a  DEEP CYCLE MARINE BATTERY. These are designed for this.

A regular car battery will work, but will not last.

I am definitely going to get a deep cycle marine battery, I am just not sure what brand.  What is the best brand and do I need to be worried about reserve capacities, or amp hours?

reserve capacities, or amp hours?

I think those are related.  I find Ah an easier concept though.

Battery maintenance is more important than brand name.  I am still using Auto Zone (deep cycle marine of course). 1 year and 4 months and still going.  

My boat is 14.5ft fiberglass with 45lb.  If I had to do 8 hours once a month I would have two batteries.  Sorry I can't remember the amp hours.  It's an 80$ auto zone.

Thanks for the help. I have been told by a few people today that I should probable have 2 batteries. They told me to run them in parallel and I should be fine. I have one battery dedicated to the livewell, fish finder, and electric start for the motor. I was going to try to get away with buying ONE new battery dedicated to the trolling motor. The more I research, the more I am thinking I should go with two batteries for the trolling motor. Anyone else with a different opinion let me know!

ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY INSIGHT ON THIS!

Look at the trojan batteries website. They list their batteries and a dealer local to you. Very good batteries this will be season 3 for mine and they are still very strong. I fish alot. At least 6 hours a trip and thats a short one about three time a week. 20 foot Triton boat w a Motorguide 24 volt 71 lb TM.

Try your local Interstate Battery dealer. They are good batteries and the three (2 trollin and 1 crankin) have lasted for nearly 4 years. I keep them on a float charges year round so that helps. You will spend around 100-125 per but compared to Optima's thats a bargain.

Thanks for the help guys.

Wal Mart Everstart Maxx Group 29

$60, 18 month free replacement, 210 reserve.

Wal Mart Everstart Maxx Group 29

$60, 18 month free replacement, 210 reserve.

kb here wallmart must have seen me coming bought  two everstart  trolling 29 series   $73.00 each  kb   yellow case  case was marked 4/08

Yep, they have gone up since I last bought.  I exchanged one today (had a dead cell), noticed that the price had increased quite a bit since I last bought one (8/07).