Restoring 30 Year Old Bass Boat with No Experience

Angler Aid - amzn.to/3yUkUH5
I've gotten a few messages on here and instagram lately asking about the Gambler....hopefully this answers those questions! I've been putting in quite a bit of time working on the boat, and have a long way to go. Any suggestions are appreciated so please leave me comments down below, I'll read every single one.
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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.
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Special Thanks To -
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Gill Fishing - bit.ly/GILLFISHING

[@DaddaWins]

my 2 cents, keep any foam came out in good shape and use it as a template for the new cut, will save you tons of time, and will get the perfect cut as it was out of the shop. i did that for my bass tracker and it turned out pretty good

[@gsh341]

I recently rebuilt a boat and here are some things I learned. Get a LOT of small containers to put parts in as you're doing the disassembly and label the containers. That will help you put those parts back in the correct place or get appropriate replacements. Then get some larger totes to keep those small containers in. That way you don't lose anything. Wiring is SUPER important. Only use marine grade wiring and use sealed connectors. It's also a good idea to upgrade any fuse blocks or breaker panels. This is also the time to decide if you want any extra electronics or lighting since you will have to run more wiring to those locations. With everything you do, always ask if there is a better or more modern alternative to the original. LED lighting instead of incandescent. Extra support for certain structures. better switches. Better pumps and through hulls, better hoses and fittings, etc. Every boat I've ever seen has one thing in common. The manufacturer was trying to make money and if they could save a few bucks by using a slightly cheaper alternative, they did so. Now is the time to upgrade.

[@hankwilliams4509]

Wow what a great comment thank you for this I am about to start this journey.

[@FishingwithFishgall]

Saw some of this process on Instagram and couldn't wait for the video. You're the man Matt

[@ronwallace7563]

No affiliation, but Tiny Boat Nation has some amazing vids on doing wiring. I've watched (and learned) a LOT from them. Good luck and keep us updated!

[@TheBagman85]

Love this video. Keep us updated as you go through it. Good luck

[@RhinoVenturesOutdoors]

That project would intimidate the hell out of me! But I'm sure you'll knock it out of the park. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[@jansenodineal4172]

Glad to see a vid on the gambler. I think where we were chatting would probably be the best source of info on your rebuild. Good luck and keep the vids coming and keep us updated on the gambler progress

[@davidjessee7701]

I really like the color of your walls in your house.. the gray with the white trim is very pleasing.. and I like the shaker style cabinets and trim...

[@TCLAWN1]

Just think when your done how proud you’ll be of yourself for putting in the effort and time. Keep up the good work!

[@SBFishing]

Will do

[@wildturkey8752]

It looks like you are doing well. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[@fishinnewengland4807]

The only “big” problem is being outside in the cold, like you said. It’s hard to use certain glues, epoxy, paints etc when it’s cold out! You’re making great progress. I think the aluminum support for the console would be awesome. Previous owner of my own boat didn’t secure the console after adding 2 garmin 12’s, resulting in my console tearing itself apart from all the extra weight. Keep updating us bro!

[@Handleneeds3ormorecharacters84]

im pumped for this boat

[@chipseams9400]

Keep going you're on the right track. Do what's best for your budget and doing it right as well

[@audyburrows3842]

I feel your pain. I’m restoring a 1985 winner bass boat. I’m thinking about putting sea deck on it as well. I came across your Video tonight and it reminded me of the struggle I had to remove the glue from the carpet, I used a razor blade scraper I purchased from Lowes and it worked better than anything else I tried. Looking forward to more videos!

[@chasethatbass4764]

love the conntent im allways so exited too see you posted

[@keithspencersr.6806]

Love to see your work real-time

[@petefasel]

Definitely a labor of love. Very ambitious. Good luck!

[@VEEZY_FISHING]

The first time I did a carpet job on a boat, it took me the better part of a month and that was only an 18 ft boat. You’re doing great considering you’re basically rebuilding the entire boat

[@FishOn1]

Would enjoy seeing more of your journey on this!

[@ericweaver8324]

i wet sanded my old 1993 stratos about 5 years ago because it was very faded. i used the Pro Tec products restoration kit and was very happy with the results especially since the kit was only about $60. good luck and have fun

[@Army_Outdoors_88N]

Great progress Brother. looking nice. you definitely need to get a Garage or pop up tent. Cant wait to see the final outcome

[@matthewfalle4192]

When rewiring your boat, to make sure to put a fuse block or more than one if needed to protect fish finders and other equipment.

[@terryholt1832]

A fiberglass boat needs special love. I think I'd consider just reglassing that whole instrument panel face to match exactly what you want to put up there. And I totally support saving that great bench seat - it's a classic touch. Cheers and Happy Holiday.

[@NickLindner]

Way to put in the work, dude!

[@romebranson3266]

Sounds like a great winter project. Best way to do something like that is with good old fashion elbow Grease

[@areddfishing7473]

This is dope man!! Can’t wait to see the final product?

[@ShaneJMcNair]

You will do just fine. I'm looking forward to your progress. I'm in the sign business, so I deal with adhesive daily. Two products that are useful are Un-Glue sold by Denver Sign Supply, and the other is Rapid Remover sold by Tubelite Sign Supply. Get you some plastic razor blades to prevent digging into the gel coat when scraping, when using these. Both adhesive removers are water soluble, so they rinse off with soap & water. Hope this helps. 🍺🎣

[@DanielLeath]

Love videos like this. Keep grinding

[@SBFishing]

Will do! Thanks for watching

[@alexkoutdoor]

Have thought of a boat project myself. Good luck!

[@maxchenault9503]

Bro… doing the same to a 92 nitro 190dc..going to be a project but when I finish it it will be directly inline with what you’re describing. Clean and bulletproof.

[@derekwilliams6186]

Angler Aid now that is a great smart product I would truly believe and carry and use that product I think everyone should carry a kit like this on the boat for safety

[@waynesammyswingle6107]

Man this is great!!!! I am not the only crazy person. I bought a 372 Ranger about 7 years older than yours. I have to say it sure looked like a lot less work when I first looked at it compared to now. It will be worth it.

[@JohnLewis-gi5vp]

Big job. There is a good place to get interior done about a hour or so away from you if you choose that route. That’s a lot of fish time to wrap up in a project like that. Good luck

[@brandondodd7973]

You can wrap the seadek around the lids like carpet. Seen it done and it looks great

[@ronnysjolund5717]

Make Team Marine Service a call, cool dudes with experience regarding gamblers. They also recently made a factory tour of the re-opened Gambler HQ. The new owner of Gambler Boats seems to be great!

[@MrVinced1201]

The second aerator system that you were talking about was set up as a chiller to cool the water in the live wells. The loop that is exposed I take it is in the icebox.

[@Bootlegtresix]

Awesome man

[@0017Bulldog]

Loved the vid and love this project. It's gonna be spectacular. Don't let James drive it after its done.

[@SBFishing]

James gets first rip!

[@snakecoils]

Wow good to see ya ( what a great start on the Boat ) my advice to you is KIS Keep it simple good luck

[@russelll.8361]

You can pick up a heat gun, kinda like a super hair dryer, cheap, and it will heat the glue and you can easily pull it off. Looks good man. Keep it up.

[@c.shoefish]

Heat gun and a sharp scraper will tackle just about anything....often better then power tools

[@bobsworld8145]

I just found your channel I'm about to start doing the same thing. I'm like you no experience but I'm not afraid to tackle it loved the video

[@nathanbishop1999]

I wish I could come help! You did a great job so far

[@jaqueezrater578]

just saw u at WaWa keep up the content man!

[@jasoncarr5867]

Can't wait to see this thing finished gamblers have always been in my top 3 favorite bass boats they just look soooo damn good 😂 I feel your pain on trying keep up with a 30 year boat tho my dad and I still fish out of a 389 javelin its had three different engines on it but she still looks as good as she did in the 90's theres just something that gives you a certain warm fuzzy feeling fishing out of an older boat because the more you look at it the more stories it tells you can't get that feeling in a new nitro lol.

[@SBFishing]

Agreed 100%. This boat has a lot of character

[@danielbarbee6606]

No doubt it will turn out nice. I suggest a cover over (car port) it to help while work is being done.

[@nickthepiker]

Merry Christmas bro!

[@tommybarksdale5783]

Should put lights where the old rod buckles are, that way you don’t have to worry about painting and it gives you some light

[@ronniedanielsjr6937]

That boat will be 🔥 when your done.. Diamond plate aluminum wrapped around that console would be sick

[@jefferymanuel4226]

Toluene/Brake clean will react to the carpet glue and make it so much easier to remove

[@bass3do]

So cool watching this! Reminds me when I redid my gambler! Your doing everything I did. And yes it's normal for it to take 3 days for hatches. My boat start to finish took like 4 to 5 months to finish!. Just make sure when it comes to sanding that you d don't go through the gel coat. If you need to redo the gel coat let a pro do that. If you have any questions please message me. 🙂

[@SBFishing]

Thanks dude!! Appreciate it. It’s been fun!

[@josephdangelo2410]

I give you so much crit I could never do that of course I am 75 and don't have the stamina I once had after you complete this possibly you could do some work for a boat shop

[@larrywigmore1243]

Would like to see how you go about doing the new toggle switches and wiring

[@cheetoz6902]

You should put lights led for your old rod buckle holes. They make perfect lights to fill that hole

[@ronmarshall725]

For strpping the glue you should try a burnishing tool / wheel. Should make fast work of cleaning up the surfaces.

[@torysweatman8728]

Looking good Man. I would finish out the deck making it a full big deck instead of having a small deck with dead space

[@stevencaldwell838]

My buddy out in Tennessee has a 1980’s Rick Clunn. That said, it needs a lot of love!!!

[@markroper9269]

Merry Christmas!

[@thegiant573]

Angler Aid box would be great for the truck too.

[@envylures5770]

This is an awesome project dude look forward to seeing more updates and learning myself. Not an expert but pretty handy diy guy. Glue or adhesive remover=MEK or MPK works good or Toluene While ya have good access to hoses, clamps, pumps I’d replace with new cheap upgrade and life extender Wire work- crazy idea but I’d draw up exactly what I want to do first. Then you have prints later. Take pictures of everything befor hand for trouble shooting if needed later. I like to use terminal blocks on everything, no twist connects. Identify all wires at both ends of run. Learn how to do a good clean crimp on wire terminal ends and then add shrink wrap over the crimp cheap easy clean look that beefs up wire work and if you use white you can write what that wire is or identify it at the terminal end. Bundle your wire groupings together with zip ties. Add fuses in easy to reach places 😂… again draw it up first is all to much to go into for wire work Fiberglass work is messy but temperature is what’s gona screw ya I think. Layers and cross layers is what ya need to learn depending on type of material your using. But if you add the aluminum piece to the console make it a angle piece like an L” bracket and use some kind of adhesive (sealer) and pop rivets to secure it. Will be sold. Paint - don’t tape a direct line fold tape over around area you want to paint so that it doesn’t leave a hard line for your to buff out. (Watch paint blend videos) use a high build primer to seal and sand down then paint. I’d just call a boat repair shop ask what paint they use for types. Ok ok got in the zone man what’s in these brownies man 😂🤣. Good luck brotha 👊

[@samuelholdar2483]

that loop in the middle box on your live wells is a chill box so you can cool the water without watering down and shocking the fish. by putting ice on that loop its works like a radiator and chills the live well water, its kinda smart but also poorly done since you had wires running through the box.

[@Gonefishing804]

Definetly get that hydraulic steering bro !! I will never go back to cable steer changed the game when i switched over !!

[@CHIPPOFISHING]

I saw your vehicle years ago at Shearon Harris, NC it was winter and only a few boats out

[@Mjones8383]

You should make that other pump a pump out for filling bags for tournaments. Beats laying the bag on the ground under the motor

[@bobsmith1841]

Check out the new bass cat puma sts with the sea deck on front and rear decks. They still had to use carpet on the sides... I would recommend that as well, otherwise won't look right..

[@rodneyjacoby5788]

Cut a piece of black acrylic to the face of the console and then you can drill new holes in place your gages and it looks beautiful and you can also etch in it.

[@jeffjones4006]

As a guy that rebuilt an all aluminum bass tracker 3 when doing the wiring buy marine grade wiring and connectors and pull extra wires in you won’t regret it.

[@bobwhite9670]

Rebuilt a 1991 Skeeter 200DX. One year + but worth every aching second. Only advice I will offer is do not cut any corners. No patching just repairing as after you get r done the beating will find all patches...

[@c.shoefish]

Take your time and do things the right way, especially the wiring....use high grade wire, heat shrink connections and make sure you're using the correct crimpers for insulated ones...for the wiring and connections look up ancor marine, they'll have what you need. Also, make sure you do proper research on wire size required (12-14 should suffice) and draw up a clear schematic for planning and future trouble shooting...For the console, you can use a sheet of aluminum or try to get something like starboard or coosa board and simply cover it up. Looks great so far, like I said...take your time and do it right.

[@garyhightower8105]

It also helps to keep the boat as dry as possible

[@muskybites505]

Use Ancor brand marine wire for running your electronics power wires. Pretty much the best stuff available.

[@wildtimesgreg]

that weird livewell recirc looks like it’s for cooling. keep bags of ice in that other box and when the water recircs through that hose it cools off.

[@chadc3594]

At 11:00 min, I think they were going to do a chiller setup where the ice didn't need to go directly in livewell

[@Mjones8383]

Make sure you get marine grade switches, th marine has the hydraulic steering you need. They are super simple to install but need 2 people to bleed. Run your wiring first and make a schematic for the future. Label your wires too. Gel coat looks nice only if you know how. Top side is easy and looks good. I've done 3 boats and they are fun but tons of work. Remember you're going to spend triple the money you're ever going to be able to sell it for. Auto paint works for boats as long as you clear coat it at least 3 times

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

Dude I feel your pain (as you know) and yeah there might be some easier ways (with different tools) but it would still have been a pain in the ass (and neck). Good job… so far. Lolo

[@garyhightower8105]

I done my 99 bullet n it was a job but it looks new now after the job n believe me it was a job

[@dave-tb4yu]

I would box it underneath the console your on track with the wiring but be careful using old wire harnesses I see I could get new one but mad ya doing great get good carpet

[@terrycrosby9149]

My 84 pro craft was an absolute wiring nightmare fixen it was the best thing I ever did for the boat

[@MrRanger518]

I have done several bass boat restoration over the years and it is a tuff job but when your finished it is very satisfying. I would put hydraulic steering on the top of the list expensive but well worth it and I do it you would regret it.

[@SBFishing]

Thanks for the tip!

[@John-tb5er]

Toluene works great for adhesives.

[@DanielLeath]

Matt could that extra pump and void on the live well be for a cooling cell? Like add ice to use as a cooler but also keep the water in the live well cool as it passes through that hose?

[@SBFishing]

That is exactlyyy what I was thinking!!

[@muskybites505]

Statistically fishing is by far the most deadly pursuit. If you wanna do something safer, go parachuting lol. Love that your restoring the old boat. My Alumacraft turns 30 this coming year, keep it old school…✌️

[@Bootlegtresix]

The dash would be better with the aluminum plate you could flush mount your screen in it. Also like you said about the wiring harness just redo as much as possible yourself the wiring is such a pain because that’s the one thing that can ruin a trip just take your time and secure it really well

[@jimbass8036]

Time and money never ends

[@midlanticfishing5405]

@sbfishing use coosa board to completely re-face/replace the console

[@zachdylanmolina4667]

When I first saw the thumbnail I thought you were in FL helping Lawson with his project boat

[@SBFishing]

I wish!!

[@johndrx165]

Lots of work! B O A T...

[@life_of_riley88]

I've got a 96' 209. Cap off the extra recirculation pump, you only need one per livewell. Make sure your overflow(s) are in good shape. For the console, buy a piece of ACM (aluminum composite material) from Amazon or eBay. Pop your gauges in that, and then wrap it in carbon fiber vinyl wrap. I can put up a video of my dash if you want, just let me know.

[@life_of_riley88]

Also Mary Kay, Google her, out of Florida can upholster your seat in an color you want. She was the one who did all the seats at the original Gambler factory in Florida.

[@SBFishing]

Yo thanks for the tips Riley! If you want to send that video to [e-mail] that’d be greatly appreciated. Also just want to see the 209 😎 I’m familiar with Mary Kay and have seen a bunch of her work - it looks top notch. I’m going to try and do it myself though just to learn and give myself something to do when it’s freezing out 😂

[@life_of_riley88]

@@SBFishing Hey will do! I'll try and get out and make a quick vid here in the next day or so. You picked a great boat. Gamblers are built like tanks, and fish really really well for older boats. Plus they just look damn fast sitting still.

[@stuffonstuffonstuff3237]

So sick

[@SBFishing]

Thanks dude

[@repairdrive]

Jeez screw the boat, the house is ON POINT my man!!!

[@SBFishing]

Thanks I decorated it all myself!…..jk that was all the girlfriend Priscilla. She’s a beast.

[@downdirty8543]

Hey brother, I restore bass boats full time, would love to help guide you through this. Not sure how close we are, I’m in Mid Missouri. You need any help just holler. Love your videos and love that you’ve started this project!!!

[@SBFishing]

Hey, I really appreciate that! I’m in Richmond va so definitely a bit of a stretch, but thank you. Shoot me an email [e-mail] or reach out on Instagram. I’m always intrigued by others’ work and I probably have some questions you have the answers to 😂

[@bassneckfishing2505]

Get you a flow-rite system for your livewell

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

Spend some time watching video on basic wiring and boat wiring. That's all I can think of to suggest. The rest of the restore is beyond my knowledge.

[@allencasal]

Carbon Fiber overlay for the dash panel

[@joshdellecker6242]

Instead of painting just wrap it, ten times easier and will look a lot better plus you can do the whole gunnel

[@SBFishing]

That’s the goal

[@Handleneeds3ormorecharacters84]

its gonna look good with some seadek, maybe tan seadek

[@SBFishing]

I went with the tan “faux teak” sea dek.

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

Inject some thick instant glue into those wood cracks, or work in some epoxy. Make it messy, if it flows out fine you can sand it off later

[@Straight_Kash]

I wonder if good ole Coca Cola would have worked haha! It amazes me how good it is at removing things

[@baddogg6097]

Aluminum angle with plate for steering wheel would be strong.

[@madtownangler]

I would figure that you need a Kenny Rogers figurine to sit on the dash.

[@maddgoatee9708]

Ya, your tackling a lot of someone else's hacks. Replumbing, rewire, patch unwanted holes are all things I would do. I'm good with fiberglass repairs, but not gelcoat. Cold weather and resin or epoxy makes for difficulties. Dash I would go with aluminum backing for reinforcement. Floor I would patch with thin plywood. Heavy coat of resin on both sides place inside patch area and then start adding fiberglass and resin. Dry and sand even. Seats, I would un-sew ever stitch and use the unsewn fabric as templates for new upholstery.

[@ronskayakingandfishing414]

Dude.... I had commented a few videos back that the beard (the longer version you had then) was NOT working for you. Just noticed you trimmed it... kudos. You look much better this way. Anyway... yeah, it's hard tackling a job when you don't have a lot of experience doing that type of stuff. I did a jon-boat to bass boat conversion 5 years ago and it came out pretty good. Put a front deck on it, with a front trolling motor (wasn't designed to have a front trolling motor), seats in the front and rear.... pretty nice for somebody who'd never done that type of work. I watched some other guys on youtube doing similar stuff, you could probably find some channels that do upholstery work and get some tips, etc. Love the vids man, keep them coming !