New to me Gambler

[JohnK3]

I just got a 1996 209 Gambler with a 2000 Johnson 225 HO. It has a 10" jackplate, and a 26 Raker.

It runs 63.6 GPS at 5200 RPM. Elevation is about 1700 feet, at about 108 degrees temperature. (Yep, that's Arizona in July) That's with minimal gear, 3/4 fuel, and 2 guys in the boat. Eyeballing it, it seems the propshaft is about 4 to 4 1/2 inches below the pad.

A few impressions from my first ride in a Gambler:

At about 61 MPH, the boat lifts dramatically, followed by the bow rotating up like a Cessna on takeoff. At that point I expected a noticeable increase in speed, but there is only a gradual increase to about 63 MPH.

Left to itself, the boat chinewalks like crazy, but it's easy to learn how to control it after a few minutes of seat time. When lifting off the throttle at high speed, the boat shudders like a one ton dually on a washboard dirt road.

I'm thinking the motor needs to go up. Any input on where it needs to be would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
JohnK


Modified by JohnK3 at 1:33 PM 7/14/2010

[dartman]

Try it at2.5 below the pad. keep an eye on your waterpsi

[dartman]

oh ya welcome

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Dont know the max rpm's on that motor but it should run easy low /mid 70's with full load. Sounds like it needs to come up some, just have to play with it. Welcome to the BBC

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Vince, my 97 209 will not run at that height, dont know why but it wants to be deeper. I do carry a lot of weight up front.

[dartman]

my merc likes to be lower... but I had a 225 johnson thatseemed to like being that high.

[YoungBassin]

Just me, light load 1/2 gas empty wells mine likes to run about 2" below...

Loaded full tank livewells, 2 men, gear about 3" below 74mph gps all day

[JohnK3]

This is a 1996 Gambler 209 with a 2000 Johnson 225 HO.

5200 RPM, 63.6 GPS, 26 Raker, light load.

I measured the motor height, and it's 5 1/2" below the pad, when measuring from the rails of the pad. This seems too low.

I measured by leveling the boat so the pad was parallel to the floor, trimming the motor so the propshaft was parallel to the floor, and measuring the difference.

The 10" jackplate is raised all the way to the top, and the motor is one hole from being mounted at maximun height.

Whats puzzling me is, how can the motor be so low with nearly all of the upward adjustment being used?

I'm going to raise the motor the one bolt hole left, and see how it does.

Any suggestions?

JohnK

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Do you have a jackplate or gamblers offset plate?

[JohnK3]

I don't know the right way to post a pic, but if you click on the link below, it will take you to a pic of the jackplate.

http://www.completemarine.com/...d=394

What kind of jackplate is this?

JohnK

[ldbass55]

that was the standard plate used on the 209, and the 2200...the motor looks pretty high to me...you are either measuring wrong, or the motor has a long shaft midsection...probably measuring wrong...that elevation is hard to deal with...there are several guys on here from arizona that have had problems getting their rigs to run...they can be more help to you than the rest of us at sea level...
LD

[JF1]

I have a similar setup with my Intimidator. I have a 98 vindicator 225, same gambler plate, same prop. I see low 70's consistently. My prop to pad height is too low, almost same as yours, 5", and my jackplate and motor are all the way up. Boat walks pretty bad @ 70mph, I'm assuming its due to the low prop to pad measurement. The recommendation I was given by many here on the board are to purchase a different jackplate, I believe rapid jack is what was recommended.

I'd assume the difference in RPM I am seeing vs what you see is due to your heat and elevation. You may want to try a 25P raker. I've tried several props, and overall have been most pleased with the raker on this boat.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JohnK3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">This is a 1996 Gambler 209 with a 2000 Johnson 225 HO.

5200 RPM, 63.6 GPS, 26 Raker, light load.

I measured the motor height, and it's 5 1/2" below the pad, when measuring from the rails of the pad. This seems too low.

I measured by leveling the boat so the pad was parallel to the floor, trimming the motor so the propshaft was parallel to the floor, and measuring the difference.

The 10" jackplate is raised all the way to the top, and the motor is one hole from being mounted at maximun height.

Whats puzzling me is, how can the motor be so low with nearly all of the upward adjustment being used?

I'm going to raise the motor the one bolt hole left, and see how it does.

Any suggestions?

JohnK</td></tr></table>

[bigGUNS04]

I want pics!

[JohnK3]

JF1,

I'm going to raise the motor the one mounting hole that's left, and see what it does. I don't think I'll get much improvement, but it's an easy thing to try.

I have a T&H 8" adjustable (manual) jackplate I'm going to try if raising the motor on the plate doesn't work.

Will reducing setback from 10" to 8" be much of a negative?

JohnK

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

Looks like you need to spin the motor on up around the 5800 mark as well! Those hO motors like to be pulled on!

[low slung cruiser]

most gamblers have enough set back built into the hull, that it wont make any difference...
i've got a 10" hydraulic and cant tell any difference now than before, except for the ease of the up/down at your finger tip...

[JF1]

I can't speak as to what kind of a difference you will see from 10" to 8" JP, but I agree that you need to find a way to spin that motor to right around 5800RPM. It will run REAL strong for you there. If you can't get it up to that RPM, you may want to see if you can have prop re-pitched to a 25. The elevation you are running at, will make a difference too.

I'm a big fan of the Raker props on these boats man, runs better than the tempest and trophy I have tried. Granted, I don't think my motor is high enough, maybe that would be the difference, butt the Raker prop is fantastic for me right now!

Good luck, and keep us posted man