In need of some Gambler Education!

[Bitman]

Guys I will be upgrading my ride in about 6 months to a year when things get a little better at work ad I am in love with these Gambler boats. But other than having some sweet looks and an aircraft carrier sized deck I dont kow much about them. Can you guys clue me in please on why I should really consider a G-boat? Here is what I will be looking for and then I will follow with questions. I will be looking for a 95-2002 model boat, 19 foot long at least, but I only want a 200 horse motor, must have a tandem trailer and I would like it to have windshields.

1. How do they fish in high winds? It seems that the nose sits high in the water and I am afraid it would have a wind sail effect???
2. How do they ride in 3 to 4 foot roolers? How about 2 foot and chop?
3. Do they take on a lot of water?
4. How are the live wells on the 95-99 models?
5. What year models offered windshields?
6. About how fast will a 19-20 footer run with a 200 horse motor? Im not a speed freak by any means, Im just curious.
7. How are they constructed? Do they start to rattle like Stratos boats if you fish alot of rough water??? My bass cat does not rattle at all and its a 92 hull? I have been impressed needless to say with Cats quality.
8. Why do you guys run a Gambler other than looks???

Thanks in advance, I am considering a Bass Cat Pantera IV, several Ranger makes with 200 horse motors (althought I dont want to pay Ranger prices), Champions, Skeeter, Blazer (althought I have heard to much negative about the quality so I prolly will eliminate them quickly), Bullets and Cobras if I could still find one.

I am pretty much narrowed down to another Cat, a Skeeter bug boat, a Ranger or a Gambler. Im looking forward to hearing from you owners of these bad azz Kenny Rogers boats.
Dano

[bigGUNS04]

Im a novice, but will answer as many as those as I can<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bitman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
1. How do they fish in high winds? It seems that the nose sits high in the water and I am afraid it would have a wind sail effect??? I havn't noticed it setting sail in highwinds, just about like any other boat in highwinds. Hard to fight 30-40mph gust on a point. The front end does sit high, but is leveled out when somebody is on the front deck.
2. How do they ride in 3 to 4 foot roolers? How about 2 foot and chop? They take rough water very well, I can run the Lake of the Ozarks pretty dang good, A LOT better than the old ranger
3. Do they take on a lot of water? Havn't noticed any water on mine, one of the driest rides
4. How are the live wells on the 95-99 models? My 98 has plenty of room for a sack of bass. Might be a little tough to get a big cat out, but the livewells are great.
5. What year models offered windshields?Don't know that answer
6. About how fast will a 19-20 footer run with a 200 horse motor? Im not a speed freak by any means, Im just curious. on my 98' Gambler Intimidator 20' w/ 225 Mariner Unloaded I can get about 80mph , loaded I am usually about 70 ish (tons of crap)
7. How are they constructed? Do they start to rattle like Stratos boats if you fish alot of rough water??? My bass cat does not rattle at all and its a 92 hull? I have been impressed needless to say with Cats quality. Pretty solid boat IMO, havn't heard any rattles in mine at all
8. Why do you guys run a Gambler other than looks???I just liked that it is a little different, I have only done about 6 tourneys all year and I have only seen one other Gboat
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well good luck in your searching, if you get the chance to ride / drive a gboat- do it! I rode in one that had trim tabs, and those are pretty awesome. The deck is a phenominal deck, great fishability

[gambling209]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bitman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Guys I will be upgrading my ride in about 6 months to a year when things get a little better at work ad I am in love with these Gambler boats. But other than having some sweet looks and an aircraft carrier sized deck I dont kow much about them. Can you guys clue me in please on why I should really consider a G-boat? Here is what I will be looking for and then I will follow with questions. I will be looking for a 95-2002 model boat, 19 foot long at least, but I only want a 200 horse motor, must have a tandem trailer and I would like it to have windshields.

1. How do they fish in high winds? It seems that the nose sits high in the water and I am afraid it would have a wind sail effect???
2. How do they ride in 3 to 4 foot roolers? How about 2 foot and chop?
3. Do they take on a lot of water?
4. How are the live wells on the 95-99 models?
5. What year models offered windshields?
6. About how fast will a 19-20 footer run with a 200 horse motor? Im not a speed freak by any means, Im just curious.
7. How are they constructed? Do they start to rattle like Stratos boats if you fish alot of rough water??? My bass cat does not rattle at all and its a 92 hull? I have been impressed needless to say with Cats quality.
8. Why do you guys run a Gambler other than looks???

Thanks in advance, I am considering a Bass Cat Pantera IV, several Ranger makes with 200 horse motors (althought I dont want to pay Ranger prices), Champions, Skeeter, Blazer (althought I have heard to much negative about the quality so I prolly will eliminate them quickly), Bullets and Cobras if I could still find one.

I am pretty much narrowed down to another Cat, a Skeeter bug boat, a Ranger or a Gambler. Im looking forward to hearing from you owners of these bad azz Kenny Rogers boats.
Dano
</TD></TR></TABLE>i'll take a wack at it.
1.same as any boat i have had. smaller g-boat seem to sit higher than others.
2.i try to stay on the bank in 3+ footers. very dry ride. take ruff stuff good.
3.my 95 209 take on 0 water. maybe smaller boats have a prob?
4.never have been a big fan of the livewells on the outside, but never really had a prob.
5.i have only seen the smaller boat that came w/o windsheilds(intimidator). i think all the bigger ones have them.
6.my 209 w/ 200hp would run low to mid 70. get the biggest motor you can. you will wish you did. not just to go fast, but to get out of the hole faster.
7.no rattles yet.
8.when i bought mine(new) i thought it was the best deal for the money. i don't think the new ones can still say that. i payed $23k new. and ordered it from the factory. that was at the end of 94.

[t_nipper_74]

1. Any boat is a mess in high winds; Trolling motor is the main issue there
2. You are not gonna be able to run 70 in 4' rollers... but the ride is decent. Definitely not a Champion, but you will have a bigger deck on the front and alot faster boat.
3. Some water will roll onto the back deck if you shut the boat down too hard; who cares lol
4. Livewells are very large, but along the outside of the back deck. Just pay attention to holding on to your fish and you will be fine. I keep mine in the seats while measuring, etc.
5. Some of the mid 90's boats came without windshields on the consoles; upper 90's and so on you don't really see as much of that.
6. Mid 70's with worked setup and prop
7. Built very well. Gambler doesn't put boats out on the market like Stratos, Ranger, Champion, etc. More of a hand built boat with pride put into their construction
8. Looks, Fishability, SPEED, Comfort


My advice to you: You need to figure out what you want in more specific detail lol

1. What do you want in a boat, other than a 20' with a 200?
2. What are you willing to spend?
3. How fast do you want to run?
4. Are you willing to sacrifice speed for ride comfort? or vice versa?

If you can answer these questions, especially what you want to spend and what you are looking for in a boat, then you will allow yourself to make a much better decision on your purchase.

[Bitman]

T Nipper, thanks for the advice!!! And the imput on G-Boats!!! I can answer all of those questions except for how much I want to spend. The longer I wait to purchase the more I will be allowed to spend. I will be setting a limit when it comes time and I will take into consideration what electronics and other items are on a used boat when I find the one for me. But what I would like to do is narrow my search down to a few boats that would satisfy my needs and wants and then see what comes on the market. Or I might just wait until the fisrt Gboat or Cat PIV comes up that fits my budget and needs. I am not about speed, but I am about quality, a nice dry ride and a boat that fishes big. Thanks all and I would really love to hear more about these boats as I am really impressed with what I have read and heard. I have an older gentleman in a town about 2 hours away that runs gamblers and he is the one who got me interested in them. Next time I see him I will park my boat and take a ride with him to experiance it for myself.
Thanks
DannyG

[Ben Harris]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bitman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Guys I will be upgrading my ride in about 6 months to a year when things get a little better at work ad I am in love with these Gambler boats. But other than having some sweet looks and an aircraft carrier sized deck I dont kow much about them. Can you guys clue me in please on why I should really consider a G-boat? Here is what I will be looking for and then I will follow with questions. I will be looking for a 95-2002 model boat, 19 foot long at least, but I only want a 200 horse motor, must have a tandem trailer and I would like it to have windshields.

1. How do they fish in high winds? It seems that the nose sits high in the water and I am afraid it would have a wind sail effect???
2. How do they ride in 3 to 4 foot roolers? How about 2 foot and chop?
3. Do they take on a lot of water?
4. How are the live wells on the 95-99 models?
5. What year models offered windshields?
6. About how fast will a 19-20 footer run with a 200 horse motor? Im not a speed freak by any means, Im just curious.
7. How are they constructed? Do they start to rattle like Stratos boats if you fish alot of rough water??? My bass cat does not rattle at all and its a 92 hull? I have been impressed needless to say with Cats quality.
8. Why do you guys run a Gambler other than looks???

Thanks in advance, I am considering a Bass Cat Pantera IV, several Ranger makes with 200 horse motors (althought I dont want to pay Ranger prices), Champions, Skeeter, Blazer (althought I have heard to much negative about the quality so I prolly will eliminate them quickly), Bullets and Cobras if I could still find one.

I am pretty much narrowed down to another Cat, a Skeeter bug boat, a Ranger or a Gambler. Im looking forward to hearing from you owners of these bad azz Kenny Rogers boats.
Dano
</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. When you step to the front deck they level out. When I was active, I fished nearly all off shore structure, like humps ledges, etc. Gambler was the easiest boat to handle out in the wind than any boat I had ever been in, and I guess I have been in them all at one time or another.

2. 2 foot chop you can bridge easily. Three and Four footers, good drivers can bridge ok. With the trim tabs you are into a whole new level of control. Learning what a Gambler can do is far more important than being told it can do it, for there is literally nothing that compares.

3. Running they are the driest ride I have ever been in. Coming off plane you need to control the setdown a bit. Trim tabs are again the easy answer here. The new model coming takes on this issue with flair.

4. Great. They run length wise with the boat and keep the fish alive very well, as the fish tend to orient with the axis of the livewell, and in this case with the boat. Not pumping in hot surface water is key to any livewell working correctly.

5. All 209, 2000, 2100, and 2200. The early 19'3" did not.

6. An Intimidator, set up well can hit 80 with a light load and expert driving. For the average, expect 75-78 mph with this setup on this boat.

7. No they are solid as a rock. The only bass boat made with the internal liner system. The Cat is a great quality boat. They are however, not as solid as the Gambler with the internal liner. And by the way, I love a Basscat.

8. IN tournaments it got me to the fishing hole faster than most, and very stable. It also burned far less fuel per day as most of the sleds out there today. Being that I was an offshore structure kind of guy, it was really the only answer that made sense for my style of fishing. It was not uncommon for me to run over 100 miles one way. That afforded me limited time actually fishing. What choices did I have? I also had to get back in on time, in usually rough water, and with a livewell of fish that needed a soft ride and protection. Those are decisions that only point to one solution, at least in my mind.

Part B: Knowing a bit about construction, the inner liner sold me 100%. For instance take any other bassboat on the market...ANY OTHER. Weigh the boat new and weigh it again in 5 years. It will have gained in weight by some 200-300 pounds due the the required flotation foam being exposed to the elements. Weigh a Gambler the same way and it should weigh the exact same amount years later, provided some fool has not breached the liner with a screw some where and let water seep in over time. Foam has air pockets....thats how it works. Foam exposed to the elements will absorb moisture from the lake, and from the air. Form sealed behind the barrior of the inner liner and outer hull cannot absorb water, under normal conditions. There have been a handful of occassions where the liner has been breached. Two known methods of this happening are 1) the aforementioned errant screw. 2) someone dropping a heavy battery into the liner, this cracking it from above.

Your choices are, for the most part, good ones. Basscat makes a great boat, and so does Gambler. Other than those two choices.....well for me those would be the only two choices. I know Rick Pierce fairly well and consider him a friend. They are very commited to quality. I know Bob Ackerbloom and consider him a very close friend. In fact I stay at his home sometimes when I am in Florida on business. Bob is the most creative man I have met in this business. His every thought and motive is how to improve and innovate. Such items as Flipping decks, offset transoms, recessed foot, inner liner, livewell designs, trim tabs and much more have originated from the genius of Bob Ackerbloom. If he has a flaw, and all of us do, he takes so much pride in his product, he can be offended easily when someone calls into question his motives or his passion for quality.


Modified by Ben Harris at 9:05 AM 8/23/2009


Modified by Ben Harris at 9:12 AM 8/23/2009

[Bitman]

Thank you very much for that insight into Gambler Ben!!! I appreciate the honesty and information you passed on to me. I guess with my appreciate for Bass Cat it is only natural that I would have a stong attraction to the quality of a Gambler. I love the fact of the inner liner. That is really cool. I do have two more questions if you check back in or if someone else wants to comment.
Thanks
1. Explain Trim Tabs to me a little more, I guess I am not familiar with them althought I have heard of them, just never paid attention to what they were.

2. Did all Gamblers come with the inner liner or did they start that in a certain year??

I appreciate the time you guys have spent on bringing me up to speed on Gambler boats and I really think I will be in one sooner than my wife wants LOL :) Hahahah. By the way, my Cat take water over the back end when you come to a hard stop as well, heck I figure they all do if your running hard and then stop quickly.

Thanks again
DannyG

[Ben Harris]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bitman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank you very much for that insight into Gambler Ben!!! I appreciate the honesty and information you passed on to me. I guess with my appreciate for Bass Cat it is only natural that I would have a stong attraction to the quality of a Gambler. I love the fact of the inner liner. That is really cool. I do have two more questions if you check back in or if someone else wants to comment.
Thanks
1. Explain Trim Tabs to me a little more, I guess I am not familiar with them althought I have heard of them, just never paid attention to what they were.

2. Did all Gamblers come with the inner liner or did they start that in a certain year??

I appreciate the time you guys have spent on bringing me up to speed on Gambler boats and I really think I will be in one sooner than my wife wants LOL :) Hahahah. By the way, my Cat take water over the back end when you come to a hard stop as well, heck I figure they all do if your running hard and then stop quickly.

Thanks again
DannyG
</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. Trim tabs are much like the trim on your outboard engine, but having two trim tabs, one on rear left and one on rear right, gives unprecendented attitude control. For example here are a few benefits:

a. I can run on plane at 10-12 mph and graph dropoffs, humps and ledges that I once was forced to plow across. Thus I burn less fuel, get it done faster, and don't disturb the area nearly as much.
b. I can take off in far shallower water, and set down in far shallower water without damaging the skeg of the lower unit.
c. IN rough water I can find a position on the tabs in combination with the trim on the engine at a given safe speed, to keep the nose of the boat literally locked into position and not being bounced up and down by the cyclical action of the waves.

2. The inner liner started with the Intimidator series of the early 1990's. It was standard in all Gambler boats when the 209 was introduced. The early 18 and 20 footers did not have the liner.

ON another note, the only other brand of boat in the world that makes a boat with an integral, full length, to the rub rail liner, is the Boston Whaler, and they don't make bassboats.

[Bitman]

Thank you Ben!!! You are a wealth of knowledge! I appreciate the info. Do very many people use these trim tabs and how much do they cost to add to a boat???

When I start looking to buy I for sure will be looking for a G-Boat. I love Cats but I am loving these Gamblers and they look like they would be an awesome family boat. I like the sunken cockpit so the wife can stay comfortable, huge deck so me and the oldest boy can fish up front. A smooth dry ride, fuel economy, a well built quality boat, and to add that its freaking bad azz looking!

I will be looking for a 96-00 Model with a 200-225 I think, what model would fit my needs? Im wanting a 20 footer and would prefer a 200 becasue it would be plenty fast and I would think more fuel efficient but if you think otherwise clue me in please. Heck with a solid built boat maybe going fast is not so scary. My 06 Stratos would run about 77 but it was pretty freaking feeling at times. It had a Merc 250 racing Opti on it and it was a good looking boat but not quality at all. Heck it was an 06 and stuff was rattling all over that thing. I sold it and kept my solid built old Cat that is a better boat that is 14 years older :) Hahaha. Thanks Ben and all else who have replied!

[Ben Harris]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bitman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank you Ben!!! You are a wealth of knowledge! I appreciate the info. Do very many people use these trim tabs and how much do they cost to add to a boat???

When I start looking to buy I for sure will be looking for a G-Boat. I love Cats but I am loving these Gamblers and they look like they would be an awesome family boat. I like the sunken cockpit so the wife can stay comfortable, huge deck so me and the oldest boy can fish up front. A smooth dry ride, fuel economy, a well built quality boat, and to add that its freaking bad azz looking!

I will be looking for a 96-00 Model with a 200-225 I think, what model would fit my needs? Im wanting a 20 footer and would prefer a 200 becasue it would be plenty fast and I would think more fuel efficient but if you think otherwise clue me in please. Heck with a solid built boat maybe going fast is not so scary. My 06 Stratos would run about 77 but it was pretty freaking feeling at times. It had a Merc 250 racing Opti on it and it was a good looking boat but not quality at all. Heck it was an 06 and stuff was rattling all over that thing. I sold it and kept my solid built old Cat that is a better boat that is 14 years older :) Hahaha. Thanks Ben and all else who have replied!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't have a clue how much the trim tabs cost as they are standard on a Gambler since the 2001 model year. If you are thinking of getting a Gambler before trim tabs were installed (pre-2001) look for a Gambler 209 in great shape. That hull is still one of the better hulls ever built. It is fast, stable and easy to drive. Many of the 209 Models had 225 EFI Mercs installed at the factory. A great engine for sure, but a thirsty one. A 200 efi would be a better choice for fuel cost reasons. Don't let anyone sell you one with a Merc 200 DFI. Those engines nearly all failed. The later Opti-Max engines are fine though. I think the DFI was only available one model year, maybe two.

[Ben Harris]

Basscat and Gambers have a similar running surface or pad as many call them. In some respects they respond in simialr fashion. This type pad is sometimes called a reverse pad due to the concave surface. However, the Gambler will lift out of the water far higher. In fact the first time you drive one it will lift up at about 60-65 and you will think that is really high. Then as you approach 72-75, it will lift even higher, and I guarantee you the first time you feel this it will cause a case of the nerves, for nothing quite feels like that. Soon, though you will come to expect the intense lift and you will become one with the boat. That is when the fun really begins.

[Bitman]

Sounds crazy, do they chine walk ever??? The only boat Ive had that would run over 70+ would start to chine walk like crazy at 74mph, i would play with the hyd jack plate and it wouldnt help. I never really learned to drive out of it either. I was content running about 72 in that boat, anything faster seems scary in the Stratos.
Danny

[Ben Harris]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bitman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds crazy, do they chine walk ever??? The only boat Ive had that would run over 70+ would start to chine walk like crazy at 74mph, i would play with the hyd jack plate and it wouldnt help. I never really learned to drive out of it either. I was content running about 72 in that boat, anything faster seems scary in the Stratos.
Danny</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah some Gamblers will walk a bit. But likely not near as much as you are referring to. An older dealer here in Nashville, who has since passed away, told me a method where you can eliminate almost all chine walk. It really does work great. The only boat I have tried the trick on where it didn't work was a buddy's Allison, and I could never get the chine out of it. But on Gambler's the trick works just fine. If you get one with a hydraulic plate, its harder to do, but is still possible.

[Dougw1515]

Ben... sent you a PM the other day.

[arkbuck]

i had the pad of my intimidator blue printed all of the edges shaved and made perfect 90 degrees and wet sanded the pad and i cannot make the boat walk. i can run in the mid 70s and drink a coke running down the river

[Ben Harris]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arkbuck &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i had the pad of my intimidator blue printed all of the edges shaved and made perfect 90 degrees and wet sanded the pad and i cannot make the boat walk. i can run in the mid 70s and drink a coke running down the river </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, those are familar stories. I have had Gamblers that would not walk at all, nor could you make them walk. And then I have heard guys talk about how bad their Gamblers would chine walk. You hit on a subject that some guys just don't believe. A non-shiny, wet sanded pad will perform better than one untouched from the mold. It actually makes the bottom slicker, and takes the surface tension away for the most part. Old race boats fanatics knew about this trick years ago. Sharpening the edges of the strakes to make better 90 degree angles also dumps the waer faster and cleaner without the drag. It is virtually impossible to mold a boat with sharp 90 degree corners so that is why the corners are radiused a bit.

[Bass Commander]

Ben, concerning your comment in the locked post below about Allison being a racing boat you can fish out of...have you had the chance to look at or drive the 21' BasSport Pro?

Thats an accurate statement concerning the XB2002 and XB2003 models of which i have owned. But Ive also owned myriad other brands such as a basscat Puma, Champion 210 Elite, etc...these newer 21' A boats are fine fishing platforms.

[arkbuck]

having the pad blueprinted was the best thing i have done to the boat. the only thing is having the strakes sharpened like that is you have to be careful in a turn when i first got it back there was several times i slung stuff all over the boat me included. talk about increasing the bite it will turn like it is on rails, no slide what so ever, whether you are ready or not!

wet sanding your pad with 400 to 600 grit is the cheapest way to increase your speed by 2 to 3 mph.. but if you do make sure you sand from front to back not side to side.

[Ben Harris]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RobShaw1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ben, concerning your comment in the locked post below about Allison being a racing boat you can fish out of...have you had the chance to look at or drive the 21' BasSport Pro?

Thats an accurate statement concerning the XB2002 and XB2003 models of which i have owned. But Ive also owned myriad other brands such as a basscat Puma, Champion 210 Elite, etc...these newer 21' A boats are fine fishing platforms.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hi Rob, I looked one over at the dealership where I worked briefly some months back, but I haven't actually rode in one....on that you are correct. I have rode and driven both the 2002 and 2003 however.

[Bass Commander]

Ben, this boat has a 93" beam and Darris has changed the "lip"...totally different animal from the smaller XB's...however my hull is the slowest boat that Allison makes.