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Some
Past Gambler details for interest......
Gambler was the brain-child of Lenny Jones and Bob Ackerbloom and when
released in the
'87-'88 range, they drew much attention and criticism. The boat's
profile was unlike any production boat seen before. Heads turned
instantly, stares were long and hard, and the question on everyone's
mind when they saw one was "Wow!! What is that?!!"
Aside from their striking
appearance, they were renowned for extremely strong construction to
the point that it was rumored that one could screw lift rings into the
seat bases on the fore and aft decks and move the entire boat with a
boom.
(I have never seen or heard of a seat base anchor ever loosening or
wiggling on a Gambler but I've seen plenty elsewhere.)
Also, another of Gambler's trademarks from the beginning was the notion
that "you sit IN not ON a Gambler." While this gave
Gambler that low-slung stiletto look which we all love, it was simply
the result of putting the gas tank BEHIND the driver/passenger seating
rather than under the seat which everyone else was doing and still do in
large measure. Looking at boats on the water at the time, most
operators were in the "sit up and beg" position like they were
sitting on a wooden box....in fact, they were! On the other hand,
looking at a Gambler on the water, one had the distinct impression that
the boat was "built around" its occupants, not under them.
When the Gambler boat was first released, everyone was
taken with the long, overhanging bow.
While striking in its appearance, naysayers referred to the Gamblers as
"nothing more than an 18 foot boat on a 14 foot hull."
Unfortunately, there was some truth to that statement and a disadvantage
as well.
This is where Gamblers earned the reputation as a poor rough water
boat. The keel on the 18's was so short that it couldn't cut waves
but rather slapped them. The 206's were better with their
increased length. The 18's also suffered from porpoising and
needed help with pivot point either by means of additional setback or a
hydrofoil.
In spite of these shortcomings, these boats were quick, nimble and
fast. For smooth water running and all out fun, nothing compared
to or could keep up with a Gambler at the time.
However, it wasn't really until the 209 Series that
Gambler got rough water ride under control and as we all know now, the
2000 Series Gamblers handle rough water better than just about any bass
boat made today. Simply redefining the keel did the trick.
Unfortunately, the rough water complications of the early Gamblers are
still in the minds of those who know nothing of them and are used
erroneously today to put down the boat line.
But that overhanging bow of the early Gamblers created a
concept original to Gambler and copied repeatedly by other bassboat
manufacturers. That was the "flippin' deck."
Other details unique to Gambler which eventually became industry
standards included the
"no-splashwell" transom design and integrated setback.
Prior to Gambler, bassboats had squared off transoms; now, practically
none of them do. 'Hotfoot' type foot throttles were
essentially standard equipment when Gambler boats were first released
although one could have the dealer remove it if you didn't like it!
And THAT was in the mid to late 1980's!
The under deck
"quickdraw" tackle tray storage concept was another innovation
by Gambler which is now an industry standard if not a requirement of
serious fishermen everywhere. I suppose one could add the centered
trolling motor and recessed foot pedal to the list as well, though time
will tell whether these become standards or not.
The integrated
trim tabs known as the T.A.C. system may well turn out to be the next
industry trend setter.
Darryl - IL
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