why do Gamblers

[dartman]

Why do gambler's gelcoat damge so easy??? just wondering if any oneeles has this problem,or just me

[fisserman]

I am also wondering that I have stress cracks on the transom as well as on each side of the bow .almost made me cry. other than that love the boat

[dartman]

love mine to,but every time i take he out of the water it seems there a new nick or chip out of it

[Al from Canada]

Stress cracks and chips isn't normally something associated with a Gambler; I'm surprised.

Fisserman, how about you put your name in your profile so we can address you by name?

[cdnstroker]

What year Gamblers do you own? I owned a 1993 206 and a good friend of mine also owns a 206. Both boat have been used but not abused, and yes they have a great number of gelcoat cracks but never anything serious.

[arkbuck]

there is just too many variables to answer that question. unless yours is brand new (if it is i would discuss that with the factory) it is hard to know what someone who owned it before you did. leaving a boat like these out in the hot sun for extended periods or even subjecting the boat to high temps in a shed could play havoc on the gel coat. but it will do it on all boats if they are treated that way. as far as scratches go the only thing that irks me about them is where i live you have to have a floating dock... well al low slung as it is in the back it will get up under the dock frame in rough water. learned that the hard way. i might as well call my insurance agent every january and just pay the deductable.

[dartman]

boat is a 2000 .only have on stress crack(under tm). docks could be to blame most chips are on the front . problem comes when i get off bow comes up,by the time i get back to it ,its up on the dock. going to get them fixed this winter. nobody see's them but me,but there all i see

[AZ Intimidator]

I have only one stress crack as well right under the trolling motor mount, but I do find that the gell coat chips easily, but mine is to blame on spinnerbaits and worm weights tagging the boat at the warped speed of a mis-calculated hookset.


Modified by AZ Intimidator at 10:26 AM 9/20/2006


Modified by AZ Intimidator at 10:27 AM 9/20/2006

[dartman]

got a few of them to. got one this spring right between the eyes still got the scare

[Sweetlou85]

I've had some glass and gel work done on Gamblers. I've been told that they put on the gel coat excessively thick which makes it prone to cracking and also that the glass on the boat being 1/8 of an inch thinner than say a ranger makes it crack more easily. But that's why the boat is lighter and faster than a ranger so you have to live with it. I think the thick gel coat is also the reason that gamblers have such nice finishes.

[dartman]

How did the work trun out? go as new? got the flake just got to get the boat to some one to fix.

[Sweetlou85]

The work turned out really good. Flake and gel coat work is ultra expense....prepare yourself. This is especially true if you get into the flake stripes on the boat. Just a little 6 or 7 inch gauge into the flake would probably run $600 to $800 to fix. It's hard to find guys who do really good flake work and to know in advance how good they really are. I suggest calling your local Ranger Dealer and ask them who the nearest authorized or recommended top notch guy is. There is someone here in Chicago who takes in boats from about 5 states for Ranger. Good luck!

[JAZII]

Sweetlou85,
Did you sell or trade the 2001 black,silver, and teal Intimidator?
Did you get the money you put into back?
JAZII

[xlr8awb]

I had a '04 that had the same problem Gambler fixed it the first time but the boat kept doing it. I swapped to an '07 and so far so good! These boats cost too much for the gel coat to be cracking and chipping under normal fishing coditions. I have been told by the local fiberglass guru that he's seen it on ALL brands of boats. It happens when small air pockets/bubbles are left in between the fiberglass and the gel coat.

[Intimidator1]

Vince, the best fiberglass guy around that I have seen is Doug at Morris County marine in Kenvil NJ. I have seen some of his work and let me tell you,its darn near imposible to see it. He just did my friends 201Stratos,Dock damage that went from the top cap to the side. Solid gel and 4different flake colors had to get repaired.You couldnt see the repair,if I didnt see the damage,I would have said he was full of it. I send everyone to him. Lee NJ

[dartman]

kool I'll need his phone # thanks Lee