Never too early to start thinking all-things-boating!!! I got a 3.0LX Merc. Had a full size walmart battery in the battery housing that worked great for years. I'd take it out in the winter and put on trickle charge, no problems. Last year I towed it to a lake 3 hours away. After getting back, winterizing it, took battery out and trickle it again. About a week later, electrolyte starts pouring out of the filling hours and that stuff ran all over my shelf. Cleaned it up but the battery was toast. Wondered what happened? Any way, need a new one. I've read into articles talking about never using a "car" battery....get a deep charge, get a marine battery, etc. etc. Never really thought much about that, but wondered if that towing and bouncing around broke the old battery and maybe the marine batteries are built stronger. I just don't know. Appreciate any advice before I buy another one. This is a one battery set up, don't have a duo system.