Summary of "Best Lithium Battery Setup for a Tracker 175 (or Similar Bass Boat)"

Lithium Battery Setup for a 12V Trolling Motor on Smaller Bass Boats

(e.g., 17-foot Tracker 175)

Main Features & Recommendations

Boat Type: Smaller bass boats (~17 feet) with 50-60 HP engines.
Battery Size: Typically Group 27 or Group 24 batteries fit these boats (smaller than Group 31).
Battery Types Compared:
- Lead Acid: Lowest cost, widely available, heavy, lowest performance.
- AGM: Moderate cost, similar weight to lead acid, better cycle life and deeper discharge.
- Lithium: Highest cost (ranges $150-$600), lightest, best performance, longer cycle life.

Trolling Motor Battery

Recommended minimum: 100 amp hour lithium battery (about twice the capacity of a typical Group 27 lead acid at ~50 amp hours).
Price range: Around $180-$200 for reliable brands.
Suggested brands: Le Time, Power Queen, Verdo (known brands with good support).
Battery sizes: Group 27 or Group 24 (Group 24 easier to find and fits with minor adjustments).
Optional upgrade: 125 amp hour lithium batteries for more capacity, though more expensive.

Cranking Battery (Starting Battery)

For older motors (2019 and earlier Mercury engines), lithium compatibility is uncertain; recommended to stick with traditional lead acid batteries (Interstate, Walmart, Everstart, etc.) for reliability.
For newer motors (2020+ Mercury, some Yamahas), small lithium cranking batteries (~20 amp hours) can work well, providing enough power to crank and run live wells.
Lithium cranking batteries are compact and energy dense but require research on motor compatibility.

Pros

Lithium batteries offer double the capacity of lead acid for trolling motors.
Lightweight and longer-lasting compared to lead acid and AGM.
Reliable brands have good customer support and warranty.
Group 24 lithium batteries can fit trays designed for Group 27 with minor adjustments.
Small lithium cranking batteries can replace lead acid in newer motors, reducing weight and space.

Cons

Lithium batteries are more expensive upfront.
Compatibility issues with lithium cranking batteries on older motors.
Many unreliable lithium battery brands exist with poor or no customer support.
Group 27 lithium batteries are harder to find than Group 24.

User Experience

The reviewer has personal experience using brands like Power Queen and Verdo. They emphasize the importance of buying from reputable companies to avoid support issues. Research and community feedback are encouraged for lithium cranking battery compatibility with specific motor models.

Comparisons

Lead Acid vs AGM vs Lithium: Differences in cost, weight, performance, and cycle life.
Group 27 Lead Acid (~50 amp hours) vs 100 amp hour Lithium: Lithium offers twice the capacity.
Traditional Lead Acid Cranking Batteries vs Small Lithium Cranking Batteries: Lithium options suitable for newer motors, offering weight and space savings.

Overall Verdict

For a 17-foot Tracker or similar bass boat with a 12V trolling motor, the best battery setup is:

A 100 amp hour lithium battery (preferably Group 24 for easier fitment) for the trolling motor.
A traditional lead acid cranking battery for older motors.
A small lithium cranking battery for newer motors if compatibility is confirmed.

This setup balances cost, performance, weight, and reliability. Avoid unknown lithium brands to ensure support and longevity.

Additional Notes from Speakers

Emphasis on simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Strong recommendation to subscribe and follow for more battery advice.
Willingness to answer questions and provide links to recommended products.

Summary: A 100 amp hour lithium battery from a reputable brand is ideal for trolling motors on small bass boats, offering double the capacity of lead acid batteries with less weight. For cranking batteries, stick with lead acid for older engines and consider small lithium options for newer motors after verifying compatibility. Avoid cheap or unknown lithium brands due to poor support.