Tom Kemos - Pro Walleye Fisherman

July 3rd, 2007 Wade

Tom Kemos is a pro fisherman. What does that mean? Yes, it means he fishes for a living… whatta job! Tom uses Optima batteries in his boat and Optima is currently one of our advertisers. So I thought I’d post this review that Tom sent me of his Optima Battery. I guess if you’re a pro you DON’T want to get stuck on the lake with a boat that won’t start!! It sounds like Optima takes care of that for him.

Written by Tom Kemos, 2006 PWT Champion

As a professional angler in the Professional Walleye Circuit and a boat mechanic of ten years, I’ve come across a lot of people who don’t know why their boats won’t start. In 9 out of 10 cases, it has something to do with their batteries. Most of them don’t realize the need for an advanced technology battery because they don’t understand the needs of the electronics and accessories powering their boats. The technology in my equipment keeps getting better and better while marine batteries have, for the most part, stayed the same. That is, of course, until OPTIMA Batteries came along.

OPTIMA BlueTop marine batteries come in two versions, a starting battery and a deep-cycle battery. The starting battery is designed to start a boat and provides maximum cranking amperage for its size. The deep-cycle version also has good starting capabilities, but is designed to handle the draw needed from continued use of electronics and accessories like trolling motors, GPS systems, fish locators, bilge pumps, livewell pumps, marine radios and stereos. The BlueTop Group 34 size battery is available as a deep-cycle (D34M) and as a starting battery (34M). The Group 31 size battery comes only in a deep-cycle version (31M).

Many marine batteries offer either cranking power or deep cycling ability, but rarely do they provide enough cranking amps to start these power-hungry engines along with enough reserve capacity to keep a boat’s accessories going strong throughout the day. This means many boats need two batteries: one starting battery to run the engine and another deep cycle battery to run the electronics. With the OPTIMA Group 31 marine battery, only one battery is needed. This dual-purpose battery has a unique combination of 1125 MCA’s, 900 CCA’s and 75 amp hours, making it the perfect battery to run larger, more powerful engines while maintaining a steady flow of power to a boat’s accessories.

OPTIMA batteries solve many of the power issues that boaters and anglers regularly face, and provide the following benefits:

· Optimal starting power, regardless of temperature

· Up to 15 times the vibration resistance

· Up to twice the cycle life

· Lower self-discharge (longer shelf/storage life)

· Faster recharging capabilities

· Completely leak-proof, spill-proof, mountable in almost any position

· Maintenance free

The OPTIMA BlueTop is the first marine battery that provides a technological edge to those people who demand stronger, longer-lasting power. If history is any indication, marine technology will continue to advance and I’ll continue to use OPTIMA Batteries in my boat so I don’t have to worry about losing power on the critical 3^rd day of a tournament!

OPTIMA batteries, noted for their six-pack design and colored tops are sold in many national automotive retailers and marine dealers across the country and range in price from $155.00 to $250.00, depending on the model. For more information visit www.optimabatteries.com or call 1-888-8OPTIMA.

Entry Filed under: Gear, General