In my mind there are only two questions to decide between lead/AGM or lithium. First, are you running out of juice while fishing? The second is, do you need or want to fish several trips without charging?

The second question you can already answer. Are you good with putting your boat on a charger after every single fishing trip? I put my boat in my garage and leave it on the charger so it's not problem for me. But if you leave your boat outside, at a dock with no electric, or you camp/fish a lot then you will love lithium.

The first question it seems you don't have an answer for because you aren't using the boat yet? If you don't want to start off with the expense of a lithium battery, just install a lithium charger that also works for lead and agm. Buy yourself an Everstart deep cycle from Walmart and start fishing. If you find yourself running out of battery then you can switch to lithium without changing anything else.

10 hours ago, Joedodge said:

See that’s a legit worry for me. I took the outboard off and the 5 gallon gas can out of the back. And me on the bow. I could probably use the weight on the stern

Legit concern but with the size of your beam, it might be negligible. I could be wrong but I really think you'll be ok

I'm not sold on Lithium just yet. Not so much from a performance stand point, but the unstable product itself. I will state that I need to do more research on it but right now I will not be a consumer

5 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

but the unstable product itself.

Again - the unstable product is Lithium-Ion...which is used in E-Vs, phones, tablets, flashlights, headphones, etc. LiFePo4 has proven to be extremely stable where it's used.

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Again - the unstable product is Lithium-Ion...which is used in E-Vs, phones, tablets, flashlights, headphones, etc. LiFePo4 has proven to be extremely stable where it's used.

Again, I stated that I haven't researched it enough so right now I'm not a consumer

1 minute ago, Jigfishn10 said:

right now I'm not a consume

If I wasn't selling Bass Trek, and had the money, I'd immediately replace my AGMs with LiFePo4s....I HAVE done the research....

Just now, MN Fisher said:

I HAVE done the research

That's fair, let me do mine

I will actually be switching my starting battery to lithium when this one goes. I already use lithium for my 55lb Terrova. Cost is almost a wash at this point and performance is far and away in lithium’s favor. When have trouble with balance (14 foot Lowe) based on who comes with me or what I take with me, I have a couple sand bags that I put in/move around, mostly in the bow.

Lead Acid for me. Too cheap to pass up and too reliable to ignore. Besides, my boat NEEDS the extra weight up front! Balances the boat out nicely.

When I compare costs between the 2 choices, lead acid wins big time.

In my opinion the lead acid batts have proved their ability to run continuously for days without recharging. And at $60 each per battery its a no brainer. I posted more detailed info about it in another thread if anyone wants to learn how to troll on lead acid batts for more than 2 years straight for $60 for 12 volt, $120 for 24 volt, and only $180 for 36 volt- lead acid batts working flawlessly for years. Can't beat the price really. Solid performance too.

I use a professional battery reconditioning company for all of my boat and auto battery needs:

57 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Legit concern but with the size of your beam, it might be negligible. I could be wrong but I really think you'll be ok

I'm not sold on Lithium just yet. Not so much from a performance stand point, but the unstable product itself. I will state that I need to do more research on it but right now I will not be a consumer

I agree I’ve had some real good lithium tools at work have the battery’s crap out and smoke a get super hot.

I like my LiFe Po4 batteries that I’ve gotten for cheap. They last forever and seem like even grinding my trolling motor into the mud and fighting wind they chug along for hours and hours. I’m never going back to lead acid which has resulted in me being stranded in the middle of the lake as storms approached because I ran it into a little too much mud on a windy day back before I had the luxury of an outboard motor.

For weight - never been a problem for me - I feel like if anything - I try to bring less stuff in general - i also have anchors in my boat storage etc - I just like having consistent power that performs like it’s full for a whole 8 hours.

LiFe Po4 ends up being about the same cost as lead acid from Walmart for me just shopping for a good deal on a 100 aH battery on Amazon. I can usually find one on sale for around 120$ or so and they have never caused me any problems.

Congrats on your new boat. You'll enjoy the new fishing world you've opened up.

I'm assuming you haven't put the boat in the water yet. If true, I'd recommend to use it as it is. This way you'll discover any problems that need fixing and what steps to take to get it set up to suit your needs.

Also assuming you don't have a battery now and can't borrow one, I recommend a Litime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery Bluetooth, Group 27 Lithium Battery, Built-in 100A BMS with Low-Temp Protection. This battery has all the features of the high dollar 100ah lithium's at a 55% lower price. It's review's are very good and It only weighs 23 lbs. so it shouldn't make the bow set too low. https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-LiFePO4-Low-Temp-Protection-Trolling/dp/B0DYV1FKH5/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=190077430487&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F_lZIOKJmBqCoIbfG5sSoLoJVbildU90XeOabxj1wJ0OfkiVM7P9kjmqWDod9yV01q6PNaEuN-2dW2kXfn891sXZ97-OCQxuGll5is3CHkjtZw6M5XruzfRudgZPrxLrsWCbu38w2XXU7uG3Uui-F-kII6ljTiHhWlNipiMPCccXn9SZ1jfbE2xiy_j2GhwS8x9gJ7Q0xvAzySPi286mdtR4Qce0SeInlejX7KHrhU0.ldKvyXcFnl6AmzBtQRekqVH82-6pY3hc5CMelRaI2P4&dib_tag=se&hvadid=792736450292&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9008686&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=10710761798606828876--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=10710761798606828876&hvtargid=kwd-1997083433404&hydadcr=10698_13852505_2425668&keywords=litime%2B12v%2Blifepo4&mcid=33a65c4a88f23c899b04c8c517ccf6c4&qid=1772982107&sr=8-3&th=1

8 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

I like my LiFe Po4 batteries that I’ve gotten for cheap. They last forever and seem like even grinding my trolling motor into the mud and fighting wind they chug along for hours and hours. I’m never going back to lead acid which has resulted in me being stranded in the middle of the lake as storms approached because I ran it into a little too much mud on a windy day back before I had the luxury of an outboard motor.

For weight - never been a problem for me - I feel like if anything - I try to bring less stuff in general - i also have anchors in my boat storage etc - I just like having consistent power that performs like it’s full for a whole 8 hours.

LiFe Po4 ends up being about the same cost as lead acid from Walmart for me just shopping for a good deal on a 100 aH battery on Amazon. I can usually find one on sale for around 120$ or so and they have never caused me any problems.

No particular brand? Just one that is life p04 technology? Because I did find some with good reviews that are the same price as a deep cycle lead acid

3 minutes ago, Capt Ed said:

Congrats on your new boat. You'll enjoy the new fishing world you've opened up.

I'm assuming you haven't put the boat in the water yet. If true, I'd recommend to use it as it is. This way you'll discover any problems that need fixing and what steps to take to get it set up to suit your needs.

Also assuming you don't have a battery now and can't borrow one, I recommend a Litime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery Bluetooth, Group 27 Lithium Battery, Built-in 100A BMS with Low-Temp Protection. This battery has all the features of the high dollar 100ah lithium's at a 55% lower price. It only weighs 23 lbs. so it shouldn't make the bow set too low. https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-LiFePO4-Low-Temp-Protection-Trolling/dp/B0DYV1FKH5/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=190077430487&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F_lZIOKJmBqCoIbfG5sSoLoJVbildU90XeOabxj1wJ0OfkiVM7P9kjmqWDod9yV01q6PNaEuN-2dW2kXfn891sXZ97-OCQxuGll5is3CHkjtZw6M5XruzfRudgZPrxLrsWCbu38w2XXU7uG3Uui-F-kII6ljTiHhWlNipiMPCccXn9SZ1jfbE2xiy_j2GhwS8x9gJ7Q0xvAzySPi286mdtR4Qce0SeInlejX7KHrhU0.ldKvyXcFnl6AmzBtQRekqVH82-6pY3hc5CMelRaI2P4&dib_tag=se&hvadid=792736450292&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9008686&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=10710761798606828876--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=10710761798606828876&hvtargid=kwd-1997083433404&hydadcr=10698_13852505_2425668&keywords=litime%2B12v%2Blifepo4&mcid=33a65c4a88f23c899b04c8c517ccf6c4&qid=1772982107&sr=8-3&th=1

Correct I don’t have a battery. That’s why I’m researching as much as I can to buy once lol. As soon as I have a battery and get it registered this week that’s the first thing is a test float and see how it does and see what may need to address

Yeah I just pick the one with the best reviews that’s running a deal and hope for the best - it’s cheap enough that even if I get one dud in my lifetime the net savings and affordability make it worth it and so far no issues.

Another highly rated budget lithium is Power Queen.

https://www.amazon.com/LiFePO4-Battery-Lithium-10-Year-Lifespan/dp/B0CLRY5J2N/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=192069337811&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D6Gs3BzPHSuz9Xy8bX5FKFkGPL8ntTIQW_itagXjWqtGhr5AiqNRkCrZ9bYn3bW1rIpmUWSUr8qRoNYG98NZBJ_7j5iMC08XLxmxqscQ-VQg6SF4KZ5W7xn5MqLaApTemH5918J-c1ILnt6M0XANaw-_x6ZJLwGcKSup3i5uUbrxwibwIGmXdkxyPquq8CN3HvXqQXaXLjaMHlNrHDXWBXdxAJnc2hgAVgUCbzuyGO4.2BCLADZwlluAu1es5hDRl87Z12HaXeGAGZchYaubQiA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=792807805383&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9008686&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=9825085508412526563--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=9825085508412526563&hvtargid=kwd-1765653619091&hydadcr=10674_13852408_2425409&keywords=power%2Bqueen%2B12v%2B100ah&mcid=211b775335cb3b6d931cc8c8c196a4f8&qid=1772983878&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

I’m with Pat Brown on this. I would go with a cheap lithium. All of the LifePo4 batteries on Amazon get great reviews. These batteries are very simple. They consist of LifePo4 cells, a BMS, wiring, and a case. These parts are assembled into batteries in Chinese factories. One factory might use a little better wire or crimp the connections a little better but they are mostly the same. The cells come from one of the large Chinese companies that design and manufacture them. The cells contain the real technology. The box you buy with a brand on it is really just packaging. These batteries are commodities at this point. Buy a cheap one hope for the best. When it dies 6 months or 30 years from now buy another one.

2 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

Yeah I just pick the one with the best reviews that’s running a deal and hope for the best - it’s cheap enough that even if I get one dud in my lifetime the net savings and affordability make it worth it and so far no issues.

Those are excellent points.

Went ahead and picked out a 100 amp hour life p04 that’s on sale and a noco maintainer/charger for it. We shall see how it goes!

20 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

noco maintainer/charger

I would have suggested that myself - have a NOCO Genius 5x2 currently hooked to my 2 AGMs...if I had gone LiFePo4, the charger is already set for that.

Just now, MN Fisher said:

I would have suggested that myself - have a NOCO Genius 5x2 currently hooked to my 2 AGMs...if I had gone LiFePo4, the charger is already set for that.

Perfect. I’ve used some noco stuff at work and it’s always been great.

Nothing's been written yet, but I assume you have a dependable fire extinguisher to have onboard.

40 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Nothing's been written yet, but I assume you have a dependable fire extinguisher to have onboard.

I have code review for my construction license every 2 years and one of the topics covered was about putting out lithium fires and it’s not that easy.

22 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I have code review for my construction license every 2 years and one of the topics covered was about putting out lithium fires and it’s not that easy.

I was about to say lithium fires are not simple at all to put out unfortunately

The LiFePO4 boat battery is not the same as your tool batteries and/or most (not all) the batteries that had fire issues. Now that said, you should 100% ( and also legally in most states) have a fire extinguisher onboard.

53 minutes ago, VolFan said:

The LiFePO4 boat battery is not the same as your tool batteries and/or most (not all) the batteries that had fire issues. Now that said, you should 100% ( and also legally in most states) have a fire extinguisher onboard.

Oh I fully understand that and researched it. Just making a reference of why I was hesitant. And absolutely. Even when I kayaked or had my canoe with a trolling motor I’ve always kept the required equipment.

I haven’t research it enough and will be getting into the weeds on it. However, right now I don’t know how to put out the fire on a lithium battery - no matter how it’s manufactured - should 1 start in any way imaginable and I doubt that my boat’s fire extinguisher will be able to put it out.

4 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I haven’t research it enough and will be getting into the weeds on it. However, right now I don’t know how to put out the fire on a lithium battery - no matter how it’s manufactured - should 1 start in any way imaginable and I doubt that my boat’s fire extinguisher will be able to put it out.

My BIL is a fireman, when a battery car catches fire, they let them burn themselves out. Ether move other property from around it or he told me they have thrown chains and will drag them to an area where they just let them burn.