1985 Gambler Questions?

[racerkvn]

The complete package should be around 1800 lbs. to 1900 lbs., thats about what an 18' footer will run, trailer and all. Or that is close...

I sold many a vehicles, then needed them back at some point or another. You'll get you another truck, and then you'll be sittin' at a red light, with your boat behind you, when some young punk in his rice burner, is reving up and you'll ay "Damn I should have never sold my Camaro"!! All you have to do is look in the rear view mirror, and say, bet he can't go that fast on the water!

See, all plays out in the end......

[Formula51]

Thanks for the reply. I feel better about the weight now.

I am 22 and this is my 4th car! Hehe, I get bored easily! One year of graduate school left and then maybe I can afford the Camaro and a truck. Ahh the benefits of joint income at an early age!

[kp crane]

ok Ed, it's monday, what did you think about the boat yesterday?....i think i recall something about going with money in hand, was it a YEA or NEA?....

[Formula51]

It was YEA!

Sorry I did not reply earlier, but I started a new job today. I got the boat for $1300 because it needs a little more work than I thought, but I couldn't resist.

The trolling motor works well, the motor turns over fine and the lower unit fluid looked and smelled brand new. The prop is in near perfect condition and the motor looks perfectly clean behind the covers.

Now for the bad part. I can't get the steering to turn the motor. There appears to be zero grease on the tubes so I am hoping it is just frozen. The windshield is missing and more importantly the plywood center deck is a little rotten so I will have to replace that. The front deck is fine, and the rear deck is a little springy in the center, but the wood is very hard and not rotten, so I think I will just have to build a little support brace for it.

Now for the interesting stuff! I do not believe this is actually a Gambler. It appears it was made by Performance Plus Production which went out of business in 1987 when Gambler began. Perhaps these two companies are related?

The boat is 16' 11" and it was manufactured in May of 1985, but it has two small faded areas where it says "Gambler" on the side of the boat. Weird! It also says "Performance" on the side of the boat much larger. And it says "Gambler" and "Performance" on the gauge panel as well.

I am thinking this may be a Performance Plus boat and model is Gambler....

Maybe I own one of the very first Gamblers!?! Now how do I post pictures?



Modified by Formula51 at 7:11 PM 6/19/2006

[Formula51]

I got pictures!

[Formula51]

Does the top fiberglass look like the I can use the Walmart refinisher mentioned earlier? If so, should I sand off the clear coat before using it?

Thanks a ton.
Eddie

[kp crane]

for the money i'd say you did good, heck if it wern't for the carpet it wouldn't look bad at all! good PROJECT boat! give ya something to do for the next few months. can't help ya on the refinishing question but someone on here should be able to, good luck, keep us informed on the status...

[horseshoer]

get me the three letters off of the hull identification number and i can give you some info on who built it and where.

[racerkvn]

I'd say you got a heck of a deal, too! The motor alone is worth that!!

I'd try that Boat Restorer/Refinisher from Wal-Mart, and the Meguire's 3 Step System from any auto parts store (AutoZone, Advance Auto). Follow the directions on the bottle, don't let it haze, you only need to do small areas at a time. The Meguier's 3 step is a cleaner (step 1), a polish (step 2), and a wax (step 3). I had to do my boat 3 times using all the products mentioned, and mine looks almost brand new, no kidding... If the top cap is rough, you may have to lightly sand the top cap with something like 400 grit to get it smooth and then use the products I mentioned. Mine was not rough, just faded to a white, grey ish color. Just as trashy mentioned, check out the boat restoration pages, there is some good information on there.

Congrats on your boat!! Grease up them steering cables, get your fishin' poles out, and go to the river and have fun. Don't forget to put the plug in it!! You'd be suprised how many people that have been fishin' for years, have forgotten to do that! Of course they will never say they didn't put it in, but I tell you it happens!!

I have an 8' Pond Prowler, yea....., we forgot to put the plug in it, one time, just about sunk it in a creek by house! ......I have never forgot the plug again..... and aways check and recheck it now.....

[Formula51]

This boat actually has a clear coat on the top that is flacking off. I think I am going to sand that off and then use the Walmart refinisher and Mequire's 3 step you mentioned. And just make sure to keep it good and waxed in the future. I really dont want to spray clear-coat on it.

The first three letters of the HIN are PPE. Which from what I have found stands for Performance Plus Productions. The company went out of business in 1987 from what I can tell and that the model name of this boat is "Gambler" as it says it in multiple places.

Oh, thought I would mention that the boat has forward mounted trim controls, which is cool!

And for the bad news. I am going to have to replace both the middle and rear decks! The wood is roted and the support beam in the rear deck is cracked. Fun, fun!!! Tomorrow, the fiance and I gut the beast. I will try to post some pics.

[horseshoer]

PPE = performance plus prod out of greenville mississippi. they started business in november of 1975 and went out of business in jan of 1987.


i dont know for sure but my guess is that its no connection with the gambler boats of florida.

[kp crane]

but we'll adopt ya and let ya stay here anyway....

[Formula51]

The way I look at it. I am the first.

The coincidences are too many. The boat has a remarkably similar hull and is named Gambler. The company then goes out of business in 1987, which is the first year the company Gambler starts producing boats.

It would makes sense to me that a nobody company with little or no reputation would finally hit on a good boat design and either get bought out by another company or start a new one with a fresh reputation.

Therefore, I am the Gambler daddy. And while ya'lls boats are much improved, you are all my children!!!!! Haha. Unless someone can prove otherwise that is.

Eddie