Batteries Group 29/31 Boat use

[JanGeo]

Hey anyone recommend a cheep battery in the group 29 or 31 size for a friends 42ft sailboat need a few hundred amp hours at 12 volts not going to need heavy discharge rates but would like to charge quickly if possible.

[kitcar]

I have had very good luck with Exide group 31s sold through Wal-Mart. These are their deep cycle maintenance free (sealed) as well as the serviceable type. I have two banks at my cabin, both type 31s and type 27s. The 31s got a total discharge down to 10.5 volts last year and after an equalization all was good. My typical discharge is 20% at most 30%.

Another thought for a boat is an AGM (not gel - gel batteries can get gaps in the gel during charging that hurts them) battery if cost isn't an issue.

[JanGeo]

Thanks - my buddy just had to fork out a chunk for a new jib $5k that wasn't expected this year so he is going cheep on the batteries - of course it ends up wasting a lot of my time finding a great deal. Power is not critical since this is just for cabin use and there is a separate starter battery should they run down.
Sounds like Walmart is the way to go this time and there is one close by and will check out BJ's too.