Gambler boats

[tkite16]

I am getting real close to buying a  Gambler Intimidator  bass boat.  I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these boats good or bad.  The one I'm looking at is a 95.

Hows it ride?

Do there hulls have good reputations?

The one I'm looking at appears to be n very good shape.

[mikey16]

the gambler hulls are OK when running bust must of the time you are useing the trolling motor and that is when they truley shine talk about stable but over all they are nice and have a HUGE front deck you will be happy

[burleytog]

The term 'aircraft carrier' comes to mind.

[5bass]

Gamblers are arguably the best built boats on the water. Very, very well built. Everything about a Gambler is top quality....they do not cut corners on anything. Check around with other Gambler owners, the info to support those statements is out there. The G hulls were always 'ahead of their time' and they've only gotten better over the years.

But, with any boat that is older than or approaching 10 years old, its a real good idea to check the transom for strength and also make sure all the 'little things' still work. Lights, pumps, all switches, etc, and make sure the motor is in top shape. Spending the money for a compression and leak down test beforehand may save you big money. If it fails the tests, keep walking and dont look back, unless of course, you like buying stuff that needs fixing.

Another thing to consider is the paint and gelcoat. The last Gambler I had was a 1992. It started to lose the gel, oxidize and fade out real bad after 14 years. If the gel shows any signs of fading, get ready to do something about it because it happens fast once it initially gets going, especially on darker colors.

If the seller is asking top dollar (book price or more) for the boat, it should need nothing done to it at all. Batteries, locks, lights,  pumps, trolling motor, electronics....everything should work and the trailer should be issue free as well. If you notice things that will soon need replacing or dont work, start chipping away at his price right away.

If it passes all the tests and you think you will be happy with it, I say go for it. I love my Gambler.

[frogtog]

Can't go wrong with one.

[DINK WHISPERER]

One of my co workers has a 98 and never stops raving about it! I have been out with him in it many times and it is an awesome boat indeed!!!

[Bigs]

I have heard they ride very rough but I havent been in one. I found a 1998 gambler outlaw for pretty cheap that I thought bout buyin but Im gonna hold out for something with a smoother ride like a champion or basscat. Plus they look very very dated in general. Good luck.

[5bass]

I have heard they ride very rough but I havent been in one.

Dont believe everything you 'hear'. Ride in one for yourself and see.

I found a 1998 gambler outlaw for pretty cheap that I thought bout buyin but Im gonna hold out for something with a smoother ride like a champion or basscat.

I won't knock things that I havent tested personally but I will agree that a Champion is hard to beat on smooth ride, but still, you havent been in a Gambler so.....

(by the way, a Gambler Outlaw will not give you the ride that a Gambler 2100 or 2200 will.)

Plus they look very very dated in general.

What are you talking about that looks very very dated? Surely not a Gambler.

[slider head]

TACO'S!

[Ben Harris]

I am getting real close to buying a Gambler Intimidator bass boat. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these boats good or bad. The one I'm looking at is a 95.

Hows it ride?

Do there hulls have good reputations?

The one I'm looking at appears to be n very good shape.

The Intimidator was made in both 19'3" and 20' lengths. The 19'3" version will not ride with the 20 footers such as the 209, 2000, 2100 or 2200, but it will still be far better than most other boats of a similar length. Knowing the limitations of the boat you have is key to any rough water ride, as it is mainly about driver know how. However, that said, a Gambler is really hard to beat in rough water. Someone mentioned the Champion, and it is a very good rough water boat. It's design makes it great at knifing through rough water, although its not so good at getting on top and bridging the waves. A Gambler can be trimmed to do either one and do either one very well. It depends on trim. No other boat I have ever driven is nearly as responsive to trim. Any bump of the trim and the attitude of the boat changes. Whereas in most bassboats it takes a large travel in trim to effect the attitude of the vessel. Running a Gambler and being able to make it do all it is capable of is a somewhat steep learning curve. But once you become familar with how to do all it can do, there is literally nothing out there that can compare.

The hulls are of double hull construction, in that they have an integral fiberglass liner that is complete from bow to stern and rub rail to rub rail. All of the cavity between this liner and the outer hull is filled with compressed foam for unparalled strength. Also a Gambler will maintain its weight for years to come unlike other brands. In ALL other brands of bass boats the foam is exposed to the elements. Foam is porus by nature and will over time absorb water. The typical 20 foot boat with exposed foam will gain some 200-300 pounds over a 5-6 year period. A Gambler will not, assuming some fool has not breached the inner liner with a screw or dropped a battery on top the liner in the rear compartment.

When I fished tournaments I mainly focused on humps, ledges and dropoffs far from the protection from wind. And many times I ran as much as 100 miles each way to my favorite fishing hole. Getting there quickly and returning safely and smoothly in rough water with a livewell full of fish was very important to me. Gambler was the only boat in my minds eye, that met my requirements, and it remains so to this day. I have since retired from fishing tournaments as it became so dog eat dog that the enjoyment went away for me. Being the church going guy I am, the attitudes among the guys were in conflict with my faith and so I bowed out. If I were to get back into that business again it would be without a doubt only with Gambler and Mercury. They both treated me like a king for many years, and I have no complaints whatsoever. If you want more info on me personally, I now sing in a Southern Gospel Quartet known as Southern Sound Quartet. Our web site is with the same name, spelled as one big word and with the usual "com" on the end.

I do not have any business ties with any brand, and in fact, I don't even own a bass boat any more. I was asked for my opinion, I would imagine because I am considered somewhat knowlegdable about Gamblers. Thank you for asking me to be a part. My info when asked for will always be as fair as honest as I am capable of being. There are many bassboats I respect a great deal. Some for their innovative approach and some for the dedication and quality the owners place in every product they produce. For instance I know Rick Pierce and Basscat fairly well and respect what they do. Bob Ackerbloom of Gambler and I have been close friends for many years. There is no one on Earth I would trust more than he indesigning a boat. He is the best I have ever known.

Good fishing!