30 Year Old Gambler Bass Boat Restoration UPDATE! I Installed Seadek, Replaced Livewell Pumps & More

The Seadek I used - bit.ly/seadeks...
I'm glad to be done tearing the boat apart, and I could have (and probably should have) waited to do the Seadek...but I needed to see a little positive progress. I've never taken on a project this big solo, and if you gain anything from these restoration videos please know that if this thing turns out even half way alright, I promise you can do it too. I made some mistakes along the way, but overall I'm really happy with how it's turning out so far.
I've moved onto doing the electrical - would you guys be interested in a video on that? Let me know down below!
SB
Follow Me On Instagram! - bit.ly/sbfishingtv
My Electronics
Garmin Echomap Ultra 126sv (livescope)
Garmin Echomap UHD 94sv
Garmin -www.dpbolvw.ne...
Livescope - www.anrdoezrs....
The Jon boat I’m currently running is a Weldbilt 1548 custom built by Matt Downs of Tricked Tins. For more info on the boat, or if you have interest in a build yourself - the links below are where you can contact Matt.
Tricked Tins FB - bit.ly/TRICKED...
Tricked Tins Instagram - bit.ly/Tricked...
Reveal Video - bit.ly/Tricked...
Special Thanks To -
Shop Karl's - gokarls.com/sbf...
Mystery Tackle Box - mtbfish.com/sbfish
Spro - bit.ly/SPRObaits
Sunline - bit.ly/Sunline...
Gill Fishing - bit.ly/GILLFIS...

[@cscheatum]

After watching this. I kind of don’t want to buy a new boat. Remodeling an older one looks like a ton of fun. Great job!

[@1bronco47]

This was great to see. I agree with the other comments that the wiring video would be great. I am restoring a 30 year old bass boat right now as well so I am very interested in your progress. The biggest issue on my boat just so happens to be plumbing and wiring.

[@brianhershberger4429]

Wow Matt, You did an awesome job!!!!! The Gambler looks so great. Can't wait for you to be able to get out in her and really show her off. It's so weird dude because I never seem to find any content in your stuff that i don't love. A good guy, with a good story goes a long way, especially in this crazy world we live in. You should be so proud of your hard work. b

[@markoharoldoronearmedpoohb7816]

A labor of love! My opinion of seadeck is neutral, as I haven’t seen it in use, seems straight forward in the installation, when I put new carpet in my boat is was time, and labor intensive!

[@GunnFishTV]

She's coming together nicely 🤙🤙

[@SBFishing]

Hopefully get it finished up soon!

[@LawsonLindseyFishing]

looks so good man!

[@lloydrush5026]

That old gambler is gonna look sick when done. Love it

[@SBFishing]

Hope so!

[@jayfishez]

I really wanna add this to my tin can

[@SBFishing]

Do it

[@deejaytrizay]

Big fan here. Boat looks insane bro. Keep it up!

[@terryholt1832]

there's nothing like a boat project in your front yard - your neighbors and mine would get along. 👍

[@SBFishing]

😂 I think about this all the time. Sorry I’m rednecking the joint, but I gotta do what I gotta do! I’ll get a garage one day

[@terryholt1832]

@@SBFishing the garage is where I watch fishing videos! 😎🎣🍺

[@jessekirk7473]

The Gambler has a new life

[@SBFishing]

If I can ever finish it up 😂

[@audyburrows3842]

I like the way the sea deck looks . I’m sure that’s what I will do on the winner.

[@meatmanfishing4094]

That floor is freaking awesome! I have a 1984 16 ft stratos that needs new carpet but I think I’m going to use that instead

[@760BassFishing]

The Boat Is Looking Great Condition Glad To Make It Back To Your Channel. Brother Your Doing Awesome

[@SBFishing]

Thanks man!

[@rodconner9079]

I do agree with lawdawgie --- Looks Great!!! Matt -- if yer not making mistakes, yer not learning. Seems like a simple undertaking, but to be honest --- it's big, especially when you haven't done it before. Hell, it's a nice boat to begin with --- and yer making it better (No so different than Lawson) ---- so it's a Win-Win in my book. You're the one you have to please -- all other thoughts are completely irrelevant. Be Safe

[@DB-jh1kd]

Boat looks incredible! The Sea Deck really makes it pop. Great job!

[@TRICKEDTINS]

Woooowwww... im impressed!! Love to see you grinding! You killed it Brotha!

[@kickurbass5496]

Love this series. Thanks for sharing

[@SBFishing]

Thank you!

[@sammilliken2998]

Looks great. Love the sea deck you chose I wouldn't have the patience to get those lines perfect

[@davidhenderson1738]

Yea this is my cup of tea…. Great work!

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

Can’t wait to do the same to my next bass boat project. Wish I was as far along as you are.

[@SBFishing]

The tearing up old carpet/cleaning/grinding/sanding/painting was by far the hardest and most tedious piece of it so far.

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

@@SBFishing I’ve been putting off because I know how much work that’s going to be 😂

[@DudeLetsFish]

Super clean bro

[@bwcafishing]

Beautiful

[@life_of_riley88]

I julst realized that I never got back to you on that Jack Plate! I'll send you some pictures. Progress looks awesome man. 👍

[@SBFishing]

All good! Figured you were very busy.

[@MyMorningDingo]

Looks real sharp, Matt

[@jeremyduncan9165]

Looks slick!!!

[@Army_Outdoors_88N]

Seadeck is so cool. Wish i could put that in mine. Carpet isn't as hard to maintain as I thought it would be, surprisingly. Rig is looking good though Brother!!

[@ndhood55]

Got it looking good man! Love that faux teak!

[@FishOn1]

Like the looks of your Seadeck. I’ll probably go that route when replacing my carpet. Would like to see you deal with the curved sections of the bow. Would enjoy seeing the wring in action. Keeping circuits straight without a wiring harness seems complicated.

[@jasoncarr5867]

I've never seen seadek like this in a gambler and I've gotta say it looks pretty damn good lol gamblers tho are just beautiful boats period you got extremely lucky to find yours man I've been looking at them recently and I havent seen a single one for sale in our area "I'm from VA too" that wasnt absolutely trashed its depressing to see them just beat all to hell I love yours tho that color scheme was always one of my favorites.🔥

[@shoplife8103]

Definitely vote yes for wiring

[@theasteroid5523]

definitely should do sum crazy motor like a 2022

[@jasendusablon]

Looks amazing bro huge improvement keep it up!

[@bassproat17]

Love it buddy hope to see it come to St. Clair, if not the boat i guess you can come too! Awesome work buddy!

[@SBFishing]

Thanks Mike!! Would be a fun trip for sure

[@josiahhack409]

Dude, so far the boat looks great. Also the fishing vids are incredible.

[@SBFishing]

Thanks Josiah 🤙🏼

[@mattaneshansley5349]

Great video. Love seeing the process. Seems like hinges should have gone on those lids before decking but hopefully it all still lines up when you get the hinges on

[@SBFishing]

I went into that a bit - they definitely should be on the hinges but I was lining them up exactly how they’re gonna sit.

[@queretarofishing5316]

looks great brother 👍👍👍👍

[@mattc8493]

Looks super dope man👍 I've got seadek on my tin rig and it's amazing...but I love the wood color, jealous.

[@andrewstevens8526]

boat is looking awesome!

[@countrygirlfishing]

I love the decking ....looks sharp !!!

[@SBFishing]

Thank you!

[@leerogers630]

I redid a 89 209dc with sea deck wrap and modern lighting and I’m redo anther one this winter

[@stacenhartland9777]

Been waiting for a this update! Looks awesome!

[@eastcoastyakin4862]

Enjoying watching you get blessed by what you love to do Champ…. Question, did you ever finish the gambler? I have a 88 289v Stratos that I’m planning to do the same with the foam deck. Did the flooring hold with just the self adhesive

[@mikepatterson4320]

Pretty cool

[@sweetcup6694]

I can see a lot of boat rash from that seadeck.

[@rybo7]

Looks sicky broski 👌🏾

[@NickLindner]

Looks great, dude!

[@benhightowerv]

Looking great man, definitely a great upgrade.

[@johndrx165]

Looking great!

[@JoseLopez-dj4pi]

It had a cooler mod for hot days to help keep the fish alive. If that was factory at that year thats awsome

[@SBFishing]

I think you’re 100% right.

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

Looks great.

[@kyanglr4071]

Looks fantastic!!!

[@stevefisher2553]

Carpet rules!

[@G1990man]

This looks sick great job

[@SBFishing]

🙏🏼

[@stiks4255]

Hey Matt Has this project stopped since you got the new boat from angler’s choice? Just curious if you finished it.

[@cpl1854]

Looks great !!!

[@georgen2045]

Sooo clean! I’d say leave the deck alone. Who cares, it’s a deck & it’ll get dirty anyway. Do you though!

[@SBFishing]

I'm going to leave it

[@kybandit83]

Does this boat have wood on floors or composite construction ?

[@BasslivesmatterLLC]

Damn bro she look good as new nice job my dude I like it 👌🏿 😎

[@ericthered976]

Hopefully you got good tinned copper wire for your wiring.

[@marcaustin]

Love it. Subscribed

[@SBFishing]

Thanks Marc!

[@Fishingmissions827]

Looks sweet man. Maybe just restain the lighter wood maybe make it darker

[@WarpLoTFFA]

did you use all 6 sheets for the entire boat? i have a 2008 Tracker Tournament V-18 and I dont know if four sheets would be enough

[@SBFishing]

I did use 6, but I could’ve gotten away with less. The faux teak pattern also leaves you with scraps you can’t use due to having to make sure things line up correctly in the right direction

[@repairdrive]

Woah!!

[@lilhito9498]

Getting off work and I see the new upload??

[@FishingLakeCountry]

Looks great. Do you think the foam could be turned to cover the edge of the lids like carpet does. I have done a few boats with carpet and would love to do my boat with the water camo pattern but I want the foam to cover like carpet. Thanks.

[@SBFishing]

I did that with the hydroturf I had on before and it worked alright. The turf didn’t have an adhesive backing and I used weldwood, it was strong as hell. I realized it maybe impossible with this style of seadek because it’s not very pliable with the lines going down it (to curve around lids) but you maybe able to swing it!

[@FishingLakeCountry]

@@SBFishing Thanks.

[@markroper9269]

Sick job!!! Maybe use solid panels next time.....no stripes to line up....could be easier! :P It is looking pretty sweet!! We got some nice weather after that snow....you should make good progress, unless you are fishing!! :P

[@SBFishing]

It would 1000% be easier if I had a different pattern without lines. That being said, I really like how it’s looking and I’d do it again 😂

[@markroper9269]

@@SBFishing I did that with a Pergo floor in my kitchen years ago. It turns out, the pattern isn't symmetric across the boards. The diamonds didn't line up!!!!! I week of frustration and I ended up just hiding the pattern issues as I could!! ugh. Looks great bud!

[@bassneckfishing2505]

Nice bro I'm done with my boat project

[@SBFishing]

Can't wait to be able to say that

[@bassneckfishing2505]

You will it look really nice

[@markcarpenter7682]

How many feet of foam? I just bought a 2001 21’ Gambler wanting to do the same flooring.

[@SBFishing]

I used 7 sheets

[@Liplip09]

Wouldn't worry about the color. Still gonna catch fish. The boat doesn't catch fish. The fisherman does. Js

[@halspeed12]

Why not lay down whole sheets with the lids attached then cut around the lids I wonder if you could cut this stuff with a hot wire Cutter like they Styrofoam anyway looks good I can't wait to see it finished.

[@SBFishing]

I suppose you could do it this way…I was thinking about the hot wire cutting method too. Not sure if it would work but I bet it would give you really clean curved cuts.

[@halspeed12]

@@SBFishing yeah that's what I was thinking about being able to cut around corners and use the lid ad your guid I'm looking for about to buy right now and this was inspiring to what can be done with an older boat I appreciate it.

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

I want to do that to my skeeter

[@SBFishing]

Do it!

[@shrekopher]

How does it feel bear foot? I know you fish with no shoes on like me. Lol.

[@SBFishing]

It's awesome!!

[@danielbarbee6606]

🤔👍

[@mattmiller7447]

How do you remove the old sheet?

[@SBFishing]

Wire wheel, sander, tears.

[@mattmiller7447]

@@SBFishing nice I used a oscillating tool with a scraper attachment plus a wire wheel for my weldbuilt just curious

[@c.shoefish]

Make sure you do your homework before you start wiring....correct wires, connections, all the components... getting it wrong can and will lead to big problems. Looks great though man!

[@SBFishing]

I’ll keep that in mind and double check my work👍🏻 I’ve got a blue seas fuse block I’m looking forward to throwing in there and keeping it super clean. I’ve had help from a buddy who’s an electrician draw up an extremely helpful diagram and answered a bunch of my questions. I’m sure I’ll mess up somewhere but that’s the cost of learning.

[@c.shoefish]

@@SBFishing awesome....if you need any help with it, shoot me a message on here too, I do it for a living (on boats specifically) as well

[@tiokaneko347]

👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@poststalone1496]

Fuck it, Bluetooth boat 😂

[@zackmartin6576]

First

[@SBFishing]

ayeeee

[@sammilliken2998]

Looks great. Love the sea deck you chose I wouldn't have the patience to get those lines perfect