Starting battery help

[Bobber Down 921]

I have a 9.9 motor with electric start and need some advice on a good quality marine starting battery. Nothing else will be running off it. Just need it to start the motor for now. What brand or style do you recommend I purchase locally.

[Adrian 132]

If all you are doing is starting a 9.9, I would go for a smaller garden tractor battery.  I have one for my 25 merc. and it works great.  it is a lot lighter, and smaller than a regular marine starting battery, and has lots of power to start my motor. It is about 5 years old now and just tested it the other day and all is fine. For a small boat it takes up less room, and easily fits under a seat if you want, and weighs a lot less.   It is a group U1 and rated at 180 cca.   They are also about 1/3 the price.  The only thing that I run off it is the bilge pump.  

[Bobber Down 921]

Thanks for your input Adrian.

[dunnhuntin 9]

I have had great luck with everstart batteries from Wal-Mart. They are one of the cheapest around and last a long time. A lodge I worked for used them exclusively. Some of their batteries were 8 years old and still going strong after being stored outside at the lodge all winter with zero maintenance.