acar555

check out Cabela's Recon fish app as well. lake and topo maps http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=157816980&WTz_l=RightRail

The hull weights between aluminum and fiberglass isn't that big of a difference anymore. The G3 boat is listed at 2000lb on their website. That is the package weight though. The Ranger hull weighs 1530, add about 500 lbs for a motor plus some gear and the fiberglass isn't that much more. Definately not a huge difference. I agree that a 24v trolling mould help a bunch but the glass boat will ride better and the fishability will be quite a bit better as well as the storage.

Be careful about the setting. AGM batteries are not GEL batteries. The GEL batteries are the one that require a different charging mode. AGM's charge like wet lead acid batteries. It could be the wrong battery mode that is the causing the issue.

To answer your questions. You will not need to remove the jumper wire when charging. It just connects the + of one battery to the - of the other so each battery is not affected when charging.

The Lakemaster chips for WI are excellent. I have used Navionics as well and they work fine but Lakemaster takes it to another level. The ability to adjust the contours to match the lake level on the Humminbird is really nice. Navionics does offer more coverage though. If you travel to other states Navionics might be a better choice. It would be best to compare them somewhere.

Dealer service is import in this decision. If you have a good Honda dealer close to you go for it. There are Mercury dealers virtually everywhere.

They use the same transducer as the older 798 and 797 with the single 455 khz frequency for SI/DI. The only difference is the ethernet port on the HD models.

What year is everything? Find that out, look it up on NADA and you will know.

The bass pro catalog has a typo on this unit. There are 2 new 788 models for 2011. 788ci HD and 788ci DI HD. The first is the same as yours with the addition of the ethernet network port and the second adds Down Imaging. Neither can do Side Imaging.

Since this is a bass fishing forum, I am assuming you want it for bass fishing. In that case you will hate it. I can't stand the one on my dads boat when I us it. It gets the job done but your are always fighting it. A good cable steer motor is the way to go like a Fortrex or Maxxum.

I have both units, HDS 8 and 997c, and like the Humminbird better. I don't feel that the Lowrance has a better image than the Humminbird. The Structure scan seems to be more downward focused and misses things higher in the water column over 60' away from the boat the Humminbird has no problem picking up.

Humminbird 788. 640x640 color screen, dual beam sonar, gps with mapping. $499 at Cabelas.

Alumacraft does make some welded boats. It's bass style line and the all welded jons. Lund is part of Brunswick and their jons are made Lowe with some being welded.

I would second that. He beats the hell out of his equipment.

Have it checked out. If it has lasted this long it is a good one. If it has the updates it will be fine.