I have the blue top Optima, 2 yellow top Optimas, and an interstate deep cycle marine battery. When I fish out of the 2 man boat with the 55lb Minn Kota, they are all about the same. I have to take 2 batteries if I want to fish all day. One will wear down, no matter the type or color, they all go flat after about 2:00. I assumed the $200 Optima battery would last me all day due to the cost, but I was wrong. It lasted about the same as the regular marine battery.
With my 36v Motor guide I have the 2 yellow tops and the interstate in series. I have never had these go down. I charge them all to 100% and then fish all day. I have actually fished 2 eight hour days on these batteries and they were still in good shape when I was loading up heading home. When I put them on the charge, the interstate was showing over 1/2 way drained and the yellow tops were about 50%.
Now I will say this, I bought the first yellow top Optima the spring after my daughter was born, and she is going to be 5 this year, and the battery is still going strong. I got the 2nd yellow top the following spring and it is still kicking as well.
Maybe the double cost on the Optima will be worth it if the battery will last double the life.
Cost per battery versus performance, I will not be getting any more Optimas.