New to me boat

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Well under some very strange circumstances,(read EFI versus Promax in the Mercury forum) I have became the new owner of a 1997 Gambler 209.<br />

<br />

<br /><br />First off, it has a new powerhead and this how it's loaded.<br /><br />Tach, Trim, Fuel, PSI, Volt, Hot Foot, Gold Package, Lowrance 1240 Flasher (console), Humminbird SK100 (bow), Detwiller Hydraulic Plate, whatever that's for, 3 Bank Charger, Deluxe Cover, OMC 24-Volt Trolling Motor, Hydraulic Steering, 4-Blade SS Prop, Spare, and SS Fenders.<br /><br />Will take some getting use too for sure after my little 18'er with a 150 on it.

 

[roscoe]

Re: New to me boat

Wow, nice rig.<br />Don't forget to slow down once in awhile and toss a few spinners.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: New to me boat

Well...if you have too much trouble handling it...I will remove from your yard for a small disposal fee. <br /><br />BTW...that looks SWEET!<br /><br />JustMrWill

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: New to me boat

YOu are gonna love that tandem axle trailer. They just track so nice. Did you get a test drive? That thing is gonna fly! I would consider doing some prop experimentation, though. <br /><br />Congratulations!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New to me boat

Holy Crap!<br /><br />Good Luck SBN!!! NIIIIIIIIIIICE BOAT!<br /><br />Now let's see what kinda rooster tail she'll throw! You gotta out do LD's avatar pic! <br /><br />CONGRATS!!!<br />ps if you ask me 1997 is a GREAT year for boats! Must have been in the air!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to me boat

Oh Ya, Thats one sweet boat. You have to talk with Walleyehed about a prop, he has some secrets Im sure he would like to talk to you about.<br /><br />OK, What oil are ya gonna run in it??? <br /><br />Actually better run what the dealer tells ya if its under his warentee.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to me boat

Just had to come back and take another look, Dang, I want to take a ride.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to me boat

Thanks all. I think I will like it.<br />BTW, sangerwaker, it is a 25 Trophy 4 blade.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: New to me boat

Geez, and you thought you trolled fast with the old boat! <br /><br />Nice rig, seriously. Looks like the prop is a small hub so it vents a ton. Play around with props a little if ya can. Borrow them from people if it's possible. You are going to have a great fishing season, even if you don't catch anything. Like a super high performance sports car, but on water.<br /><br />EDIT:Have you any experience with a hot foot and hyd jack plate? If not, ask the dealer if they can go for a ride with you to show you how everything works when on the water, not in the parking lot.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to me boat

I did a bit of research on boats of your type, seems they will run anywhere from 70-over 100MPH depending on the engine and setup. Here is a report on an 96 from the owner.<br /><br />96 Gambler 209 G.E. 25" Trophy, 6" PowerLift, Lowrance X51, Eagle 240, E Moser - NC <br />96 225 Merc EFI Motorguide 75#. Propshaft is 3/4" below the pad. <br /> 85 mph @ 5900 rpm (speedo). "I love this Gambler. First <br /> one I've ever owned, and would not trade it for anything. <br /> I am still learning to drive it. I owned a 18.5 ft Procraft <br /> fish n ski with a 150 Merc before I got this boat. What a <br /> difference! going from this that to this!! I really like the storage <br /> under the deck, rod boxes, etc. But what really got my <br /> attention was the acceleration from about 25 mph to about <br /> 75 mph. She will set you back in the seat. The 225 Merc had <br /> the Boyesen reeds already in it when I bought it. The floor <br /> mounted buttons for the hydraulic jacker is a plus. Looking <br /> to get a lower water pickup soon, and a nosecose, so I can <br /> raise motor more for max speed and driveability. It handles <br /> great until about 75-80 mph, then it wants to chine a little, <br /> but not bad, I've learned to steer into the chine rather than <br /> away from it, (if that made sense), kinda like you would steer <br /> into a skid in snow or ice. <br />Once a Gambler Owner, <br /> always a Gambler Owner!! "<br /><br />Hang on there SBN.

 

[ChaosDad]

Re: New to me boat

Good deal Les. great looking boat, kinda jealous now. <br />Gonna have to come up with a nother name for ya, something like, GrizzlyBear that flies over water.<br />Glad for ya man<br />..D..

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: New to me boat

Weeee Doggies! Spinner that sure is one fine boat! I think it is too fast for my chicken butt! The color is way cool too. The fish won't be able to think as fast as you can go.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to me boat

Thanks guys for all the postive stuff on the boat.<br />Yea it will take all season to get use to I'm sure.<br />Not into the speed that much, just something newer and bigger is all but the extra umphh back there can't hurt any.<br /><br />With that said, if it is as they say, then I will be owner and will be heading to Alabama on the 20th to see ChaosDad, and then up to Tn that mid-week to meet up with gonfishn and bubbakat.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to me boat

Well, got back from Va. last night at about midnight. <br />All I can say is WOW!!! What a rush.<br /><br />We took it out and the man that did the rebuild on it went and run the boat.<br />It has 0 hours on the power head so it is not even "broke in" yet so we took it easy on it.<br /><br />Prop shaft 1" below pad, 4500 RPM's was at 72MPH and what a head snapper when you punched it.<br /><br />Went to show me how the plate worked and the motor run but plate would not move.<br /><br />They kept it to fix it, some hoses or something. Was suppose to fix it today and will deliver it up here to me tomorrow. <br /><br />I can say this ProMax is a monster engine.<br />I was really impressed and really impressed with the way the Gambler handled and rode.<br />Man what a huge fishing deck it has.<br />And the quick draw tackle system is neat also.<br />2 big live wells, 45 gallon gas capacity, lights everywhere. Real nice boat. It's the TE edition so it is laid out for the tournament fisherman.<br /><br />Oh yea, the pictures do not do it justice.<br />Has custom Gambler full cover and everywhere you look, you see Gambler right down to the tops of the stainless fenders.<br /><br />Sure one cool boat.<br />Like I said, not really interested in the speed thing, but it sure was impressive though.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: New to me boat

Sweet. Glad you like it. Sounds like it will work out well for you, even if it's a little faster than you wanted, but that's not always a bad thing. Nobody said you HAVE to drive it hammer down.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to me boat

That's right and the "break in" procedures says nothing over 4K for a few hours.

 

[ED21]

Re: New to me boat

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> Weeee Doggies!

I was thinking Yeeee haaaa!

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: New to me boat

Hang on shut up and enjoy the ride....your one sick puppy SBN that one should make your eyes water

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to me boat

Well, they brought the boat today and I took it for my maiden voyage.<br /><br />I did not run it hard, started and let it warm up.<br />12-14 psi at idle, 23-25 at 3500 so low water pick-up is good.<br /><br />Eased on out through the no-wake zone, water is still down some, and got to open water and mashed it a little and up and on the pad pretty quick for a 21 foot boat.<br /><br />Ran er up to about 3500 and started trimming up to about 4000 keeping my eyes on the psi, looked over and saw 62mph on the GPS. <br /><br />I thought to myself, self, me thinks it wants to run. So I don't really know how fast it will run and don't plan on finding out what WOT is either.<br /><br />All in all, I like it, just wish the plate would work, but it seems to do alright the way it's set and I don't plan on being in any shallow water anyway to need to raise the engine, so I guess I will just leave it the way it is for now and just do some fishing.

 

[U_U]

Re: New to me boat

Congrats SBN!<br /><br />Very nice indeed! Take care - this kind of power ratio could make you airborne