Lookin at a 91 Gambler 18' (Please Help)

[Probass1440]

Howdy ya'll,
I'm new to the forum, I currently have an 85 Glasstream 14 footer. I want to upgrade because i find myself in tourney's asking for more "Space that is* Its a 91 Gambler 18 footer with Hydro Jplate, tilt trim, hotfoot, all this stuff is new to me. I come to you all asking for help on what to look out for. I've watched it for a while it needs a bit of cosmetic work seats replace clearcoat refinished above the rubrail, etc. What are some things that I need to look out for. I'm taking it for a test run. I'd like to know how to check out the transom and so forth. Thankyou. If there are any Gambler owners with a similar boat i would appreciate any input Pros n Cons what to keep an eye out for. He wanted 5500 i got him down to 3500. it has a 150hp yam oil injected and motorguide 67lb thrust tmotor with 12/24 set up. Thankyou for any help..

~Phil

[ldbass55]

check for cracks in the transom area,,, and soft spots in the floor around the floor drain, and where the hot foot is at under the console....if it has one... most do....the 183 is a great first boat, and will make you a fine rig... if it has been taken care of it should be ok....if not i would look real close....you could spend a lot fixing it if you dont do fiberglass work....
LD

[mickey2520]

I have a 90 Gambler 18' with a yamaha175,I love mine, I have had it for about 2 years.check your livewells I had to replace a pump in one of mine, no big deal ,Gamblers are built very good,great price, I paid alot more good luck

[NDN-O]

You came to the right place,These guy's know their G-boats.I run a 19-6 intimidater and the seat need's recovering.tryed to remove the easy way but will have to pull gas tank,CHECK for crack's in glass other than that you should talk to AL. PS.WELCOME

[CrappieKing]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ldbass55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check for cracks in the transom area,,, LD</TD></TR></TABLE>


I called Maritec to talk to them before I bought my 95 Intimidator and the guy told me if there were small cracks around the dovetail at the transom it wasn't any big deal............of course mine don't have those cracks but are they really a major problem in an older boat..??

[JAZII]

Cracks at "dovetail", if only in the top cap its not a problem. I have seen some older Gambler with gel coat cracks in the top cap area of the "dovetail". You have to remember the top cap is thinner and nowhere as strong as the transom. My friend has a '94 209 with some cracks on the top cap in that area. He found some of the rivets were popped out. He replaced the rivots and repaired the cracks in the top cap and the cracks have not returned.
JAZII