what is the best heavy duty marine battery out there?

Sandman do a search on thehulltruth.com or boatered.com, you'll get lots of opinions. My last battery was a walmart special and it's in it's 3rd year.
I do like the idea of gel batteries.
When they go it's usally a mad rush to get anything that will crank the motor.

I've had good luck with the noresters.
The Fichts need lots of amps for the puter...

what Van said.
had a bass boat for 6 years one original battery was a noreaster the other was a delco. replaced the secondary battery every year the noreaster was still good 5 years later

Is that a sealed battery?

Has anyone heard of the Optima batteries?

Mr. Sandman,
Put 2 Optimas in the boat at the beginning of the season and they seem to work well. They're a little more $ than other marine batteries but from what I read on them, they're better. Only time will tell.

they are completely sealed right? They are suppose to be designed of extreme vibration and shock. Also, you should never have to take them out of your boat. If you have to charge them is there a way for them to vent?
Did you install the blue series?

Yup, completely sealed and I went with the blue series. I don't remember if there is a vent for charging, I'll have to look this weekend.