[Dave H.]

Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about the GT2? I am planning to add some new rods/reels to my trolling spread this year and have been well satisfied with the GTi, but am not familiar with or heard much about the GT2. One site said that the GT2 replaced the GTi in 2008, but I am concerned about the reel's internals and if anything significant has changed that you can't see from the outside (not many shops will let you take one apart on the their countertop just to have a look). Thanks!

Dave

 

[ReelSmith]

Hi Dave,

The differences between the GTi and the GT2 are subtle changes...no major changes internally...a couple external changes on the frame style, the new oversized grip and the newer style spool tension cap so they don't come loose and fall off. The internal changes are improvements on the clicker assembly, updating it to the plunger style clicker, along with updating the worm shield and pawl on the levelwind assembly.

 

[EricMagsamen]

Thanks Ralph, that's good Info since I just bought 6 of the new ones. :thumbup:

 

[Seahunter]

Hi Dave,

The differences between the GTi and the GT2 are subtle changes...no major changes internally...a couple external changes on the frame style, the new oversized grip and the newer style spool tension cap so they don't come loose and fall off. The internal changes are improvements on the clicker assembly, updating it to the plunger style clicker, along with updating the worm shield and pawl on the levelwind assembly.

What did they do with the pawl and shield? They list the same part numbers on both reels?

 

[ReelSmith]

they switched out the pawl, now using the pawl from the Int. 975 and adapted the worm shield to where it has complete tubes on the ends instead of just an opened shield...same key #'s, different part #'s...

 

[Dave H.]

Ralph,

Thanks for the information! That is exactly what I needed to know and what I hoped to hear.

Dave

 

[ReelSmith]

You're welcome!

 

[Seahunter]

they switched out the pawl, now using the pawl from the Int. 975 and adapted the worm shield to where it has complete tubes on the ends instead of just an opened shield...same key #'s, different part #'s...

Must have been a running change on the 330GTi. The schematics from 2007 have the 330GTi using the new parts.

 

[27 sailfish]

Good to hear Penn is making good design changes :yes:.

 

[rocksteady]

Ralph . I found out why my level wind wouldn't work . I finally got around to taking the dang thing apart . It was a broken #66 spool gear and # 67-9 lock ring . Easy fix . Thanks for the tips .

 

[ReelSmith]

Seahunter, you are correct, the pawl was changed on the gti series shows on the earlier schematics...the shield and the clicker assembly were the major changes in '08 on the gt2 series... its hard to keep up with all changes...the timing of when changes are made and when schematics are updated aren't as consistent as we would think or like them to be.

Mike - glad you got it figured out and were able to take care of it yourself!

Skip - I met a couple of Penn reps and service techs this weekend...with new ownership and management, it seems as if they are taking the quality of their products and service very serious again...I sure hope it continues to head in that direction!

 

[strikezone08]

You can find a great free schematic of the Penn Reels at scottsbt.com which identifies both the old parts as well as the new changes to the reels.
Also found a great step by step tutorial with pics for tearing down and rebuilding Penn reels. It Worked great for me when I rebuilt my Penn 330 reels last month. I had never torn one apart before and I did 10 330GTi with no problems. The Free tutorial is located at humboldttuna.com

 

[rocksteady]

330 gti