M_Boats: gel battery

Has any one experience with a combination of using the gel-cell battery called Optima, compared to the much cheaper liquid acid battery. The Pep Boys say the gel-cell batteries do not stand up well when used as house batteries and should only be used as start and run batteries. I plan to change all navigation and cabin light bulbs to LED's and I'm looking for a battery that will go at least a three weekend with out needed charging