Just what should I know about my 2200 ZR2?

[Gutshot]

Hi, recently got my first bass boat. I only had time to take it for one quick burp before winter set in. Its an 02 2200 with the ZR2 package and has an 04 250XS on the back.

I have owned a boat in the past that would do 63 mph, so Im not a complete stranger to a go fast boat, but the Gambler seems to take some learning and I know it will go faster than my old Glastron. It does not seem sensitive to trim so much, and the tabs seem to be the most important control to keep the boat working decent. Ive never had a boat with a hydraulic jack plate before, and I really have no clue how to use it. If I raise the motor does it pick the motor up higher out of the water? or does pushing it down actually lift the boat up??

I dont have any owners manual or anything, so other than their website I really dont know much about it. Its the exact same as the white/silver one on their site with the carbon fiber dash.

The boat is in storage for winter, shrink wrapped, so I cant see it again til Spring, but Im getting anxious.

the boat also has a 27P Fury on it.

What can you guys tell me about my boat? my motor? any driving tips? This boat is beautiful, I want to keep it that way.

thanks!

[low slung cruiser]

im not sure why no ones answered you, but.....
my best advice to you is to get someone who own's a gambler similiar to you to show you how....
if thats not possible then....In my opinion....
jack plate---boat really doesn't move, motor is going up and down....motor TOO low and you'll start getting swirly...motor TOO high, like on 6, and you're gonna loose top end mph, have plenty of control, and risk not getting enough water to the lower unit over a long run...
27 FURY, great for your setup...
i'd try to run your jack plate somewhere between 3-4", eventually you'll get her dialed in and see where she likes it...
With the FURY you should be able to trim it all the way up and just hold on....
With a TROPHY sometimes its possible to over trim and get the nose too HIGH...
hope this helps...

[gamblerjewell]

When I run mine I Start out at 3" when it breaks over I trim it out till I get great lift(useally about 60 mph) Then at wot I raise the motor slowly on with the jack plate till it barely drops(usually around 71-73 mph jack plate usually 4" range) in the front at that point let the speed increase till the front comes up some more you will feel it break free usually around 75 mph let it peak and adjust the trim up or down to ajust for effeciency(best speed / rpm). You will find that the jack plate will be most effecient at different heights for differant speeds lower for lower speeds and higher for higher speeds. WARNING WATCH WATER PRESSURE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE LOW WATER PICKUP.

My rig is a 19'3" Intimidator
Hydroteced Prov 200 hammer 270+hp on Dyno
Bobs nose cone LWP
27 Tempest
I raised the Jack Plate to the top of transom
Best top Speed is achieved 5 1/4 In on Jack monitor 78 loaded 81 light

The Fury Prop likes a little more depth than the tempest and with the extra length of you boat it might achieve max lift at a lower setting also.

I know that the faster you run the less depth required for lift because of wind speed lift. Also the more load in the boat can effect the depth that you need to run the motor for max lift. Also max lift doesn't necessarily mean most speed sometimes you gain a little speed when you drop the nose a little when runnin WOT.

Other than best lookin boat on the water and one of the fastest you will love the boat I promise you Gamblers are a one of a kind and you will love it!!!!! Congrats


Hope that this helps.
Boat should run in the low 80's with proper set up

[Gutshot]

Thanks very much for the tips fellas... After maybe one hour in the boat I only took it to 63mph on the GPS, because it was windy, quite cold, and I want to get comfortable and gradually get the feel for it. The previous owner told me he had it to 83mph, which will be just fine, and seems to agree with your estimate..

It certainly is a beautiful craft, and Im quite sure theres not another around for a ways, so it will be tough to find anyone with direct expierence. I guess I'll learn myself.

I do not know if it has a low water pickup or not. I dont know if its a proxs or just a regular xs? Best I can figure is theres a difference from what I read on this board so far.

Do the numbers on the jack plate guage correspond to "inches" or are they just arbitrary numbers?

So far I found that I put the tabs down when I slow down and want to put the boat back down in the water, and then they are ready to use to bring it back up again? I messed with trim buttons some, but it seems to have minimal effect, mostly just managed to get it to porpoise before I brought it back in or increased my speed. I just wish there was a guage for the tabs, seeing how they seem so important.

I will pay attention to the water pressure guage more than I have though. I seem to remember it hovering around 12-15 when running, and about 5-6 at idle.

Is there a fuse box/breaker box somewhere in this boat? I havent come across it yet.

thanks for your help so far. I know it may seem like the boat is in amateur hands, and it is, but I can assure you its in respectful and loving ones.

[ldbass55]

welcome to the family......the speed the other owner told you is probably a little bit high...80 would be a big number if the motor is stock...take your time, and make little runs at a time..experiment with the plate and trim..the numbers on the dial are just that numbers..depends on which hole the motor is mounted in...start at 3, and work around from there...if you can, try to hook up with another owner in your area...a few hours on the water with someone that knows the boats will cut your learning in half...but they are really easy to drive with a good balanced prop...one word of warning though...never let off the throttle fast if you are trimmed out and running...
the 2200 will bite and hook on you if you do...and you might have to buy some new shorts....
LD

[Gamblurr man]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ldbass55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...one word of warning though...never let off the throttle fast if you are trimmed out and running...
the 2200 will bite and hook on you if you do...and you might have to buy some new shorts....
LD</TD></TR></TABLE> +1 I've ended up in the passenger seat 1 time(had an osprey fly down in my line,didn't see each other until its was almost to late)bucked hard right then left... lucky my belly was empty otherwise i would have been sitting in my lunch.

you should be able to get it to about 70 or so before you really start having to drive it. take your time and wear your life jacket and kill cord. filling the passenger side live well some times help to balance things out if your by your self.

[ldbass55]

willie had that same motor on his rig, and it was a beast....the 04 was hard to prop right though, because of the rev limiter on the 04....i think his was well into the 80's with the 250....maybe he will show up and give you some tips.....
LD

[Gutshot]

Theres some advice I will heed. Just in my first hour of use I managed to get a nice ,big, self induced, back-wash wave over the stern. I will also be sure to never let off like you describe, the potential "hook" serves as scary enough of a warning I will keep in mind.

I will have to look at that guage when I can.. however it didnt appear to be "interactive". Where can I see a picture of that guage you describe?

and thanks very much for the welcome....your replies and help are welcoming enough..

thanks again.