VMAX857 AGM Battery 12 Volt 35AH Marine Deep Cycle HI Performance Battery ideal for boats and 18-35lb minn kota, minnkota, cobra, sevylor and other trolling motor (12V 35AH, GROUP U1)

When I got this battery and went to pic it up, the weight was awesome. My first thought was:how big is the thing?When I opened it up and looked at it my first reaction was, this is a joke!Wasn’t too much bigger than a motorcycle battery.I was afraid to use it because it looked like it would run down pretty fast. So, I went and bought another bigger battery just in case this little thing ran down and catch me in the middle of our small lake.Well, I hooked up the smaller battery and after two hours I loaded up and came home.To my surprise, it was still in the green on the power.This is one great battery. Don’t let the size fool you. This little thing is almost heavier than my bigger battery. It has the power to push a boat.If you want a battery that will last on power,This is the one. It should have “ever ready”written in it. It just keeps going.

I got the 35 amp hours rated battery (35 amps for an hour) and rated for 18-40 lb thrust trolling motors. Mine is 30 lb thrust.The 'AGM' type, deep cycle, sealed battery was well packed (box in box) and has 2 terminals with hex head bolts that are screw in bolt with washer type posts clearly marked with a reddish color plate for the positive contact. It was 100% charged when I received it. Sturdy white plastic 4-attach-point handle.The real nice surprise is its size and weight. I had a WalMart battery (like a regular car battery dimensions) for several years that finally failed, but performed well. But the VMAX857 is considerably smaller in all dimensions and a lot lighter. One hand handling versus a heavy 2 hand weight for the WalMart battery.For a canoe or kayak outfitted with a trolling motor (mine is the Native Watercraft Ultimate 12), weight and size are paramount. So the VMAX is a much better choice than a 'dual purpose battery' and can be run down to about 1/2 capacity with no harm. By using a 'PWM' digital controller ($25 on eBay), the current draw is reduced a lot and more usable power to the motor.For a casual trolling motor duty, used at lower speeds (like 1-3 of 5), this battery should recharge over 100 times if normal. I used it for the first time today, always at low or 1/2 speed for about 1 - 1.5 hrs running time. When I got home, I put it on the charger and it was still 100% charged!January 1 2013 update: Now that I used it most of the spring and all summer into October as a trolling motor battery, I can tell you that it works great for my small 30$ trolling motor. Having an electric motor rigged with digital PWM speed and pushrod type steering control for your canoe/kayak opens up a lot of fun! Paddling is slow, you cannot fish as you paddle, and if a storm comes up.... with a motor you have a way to get to shelter more quickly than paddling (and I paddle as well as run the motor!). If you insist on a canoe, get a square backed one for a troller or outboard (typically 2-5 hp). And look at the Native Watercraft Ultimate series!

Getting ready to go out for another holiday . . . It started my 25 Yamaha without issues. The boat sits under a carport in Central Florida "heat". Good Job Vmax! Will buy another whey this one get 'tired'!

Got this to power my Min Kota 35lb thrust trolling motor on my Crescent Lite Tackle kayak. I have no experience with this sort of stuff so hopefully this review helps someone who is trying to do the same. Not knowing exactly what to buy and on a budget this seemed like the one that would work for me. It’s heavier than I expected and I thought it would be small enough to fit behind the seat. It is if I don’t put in a battery box, which you definitely need. I got a cheap one. In the box, I do feel it behind the seat but not so bad. I’ve used it quite a few times and I can get at least 3.5 to 4 hours with my motor. It took about 12hours to recharge.That is exactly what I was looking for.My only con is hooking up the cables to the battery is not what I expected. Wish it was more of a wing nut, and the bolt stays put. You have to totally unscrew the whole thing and then put the cable on the bolt and screw the bolt back onto the battery. Mind you I have to do this while the kayak is in the water and sort of moving around.

Does exactly what I wanted it to do. Had it for 4 months, fished with it a lot. I have a KC K12 kayak, two seats. I have a Minnkota 30lb thrust trolling motor. I've taken an adult fishing with me before. Battery has never let me down. I bought the charger that goes with it as well.I usually fish at an 80 acre lake. Been around it, across it, and back across, back across again in the same outing with this battery, still no weakness. I usually go on 3 to 4 hour outings. Bass fishing. Trolling it along the banks. The only time I felt it start to weaken was out there about 4 hours plus and I was really testing the battery through some grassy areas. Even then, it gets the job done. I bought the minnkota battery box, but I don't use it. The battery won't die unless you want it too. It just gets weaker, and you can tell when it starts to weaken. I charge the battery right after every outing. I have went in the morning for 4 hours (no sign of weakness), charged the battery when I got home, then went back out that evening, battery fully charged. My son and I go all the time, using the trolling motor when we don't feel like paddling or on windy days. Exactly what I was looking for.