Need exsperienced 60's Thompson boaters

[ProfitOfDoom]

Hi,I just found this forum site Looks like alot of people so I hope someone could help me
I have never owned a boat before,and only have been on boats a few time,So I know nothing about boats "keep that in mind"

Ok my friend has this old mid to late 60's 18' Thompson wood boat in his garage that has sat there for about 5 years or more.And ive been wanting to go boating for awile but cant afford a boat of my own,and he cant afford or has the time to get it going,so were gonna meet in the middle.
But what I wanna know is How much work and money will it take to get it working and ready to go.As far as I know there was nothing wrong with it,he just stoped using it.So it just sat.So please tell me whats all involved in this type of boat and will it be worth it?I live in eastlake ohio and will be going in lake erie.Also do you need a speacial boaters liscense and insurance?
Thanks

[Mud Runner]

Welcome to the THT forum. You'll find a world of info here. One thing you did not mention was what type of engine powers the boat. Hopefully it was properly winterized and fogged. You'll have to attempt to get the engine started to see what needs to be addressed. If it runs, you'll have to service it with things like a water pump, plugs gear oil change and such. It all depends on whether you have an outboard or an inboard/outboard. Getting a manual for the engine would be a great start. I really don't want to broach the boat question because I'll date myself. Most Thompsons were lapstrake planked and the wood planks would shrink causing it to take on water through the seams when launched. Some hulls were nut and bolted and the nut could be tightened. Other manufacturers used rivets and the rivets were replaced with nuts and bolts. The other thing to look for is dry rot. Hopefully because it was garaged, you won't encounter much. Any rot would have to be replaced with similar type wood. Hopefully this helps you get in a good direction. You've taken me back in time to my first boat. It was a 14' lapstrake with a 1957 35hp Johnson. There is a website dedicated to Thompsons that you might want to check out. Here's the link below.http://www.thompsondockside.com/

[ProfitOfDoom]

Now thta you bring it up,he said soemhtign about brass hardware that was used,and it some sort "I think he said 75hp outboard engine,I have no idea about how he stored it

[ProfitOfDoom]

No one has any of these boats huh?

[remmer4]

I had a 1964 Thompson- 16' with 65 merc , used it for 4 years
Beautiful little boat- should be brass bolts with nuts and washers tieing the strakes together-
ran about 30 with a 65 and three people on board.

Never leaked when we launched that I remember- but as noted strakes can lead to some weeping, leaks.

IT will certainly be a major project restoring her
Ours was varnished on the decks and inside- absolutely gorgeous- have seen a lot of older boats that have been abused with sloppy interior paint

Like most straked boats of that era doesnt ride like a deep V - with that said we had ours on the south side of Block Island number of times.
Beautiful project boat if you have something to start from
Have fun


Henry

[Bruce W]

ProfitOfDoom - 4/11/2005 12:20 PM

No one has any of these boats huh?

Try http://www.woodenboats.com

They also have a VERY nice magazine - seems very professional with a LOT of wooden boat articles and owners!

A good bookstore will carry the magazine.

Good luck - I LOVE them ole' wooden "lapstrakes"!

Regards,

[ProfitOfDoom]

It turns out its a 65,It didnt look that bad,but someone told me you need to fill the boat up with water to swell the wood,Is this true?
And yes it has all brass hardware and fastners

[Mud Runner]

You would only fill it with* water about 48 hours prior to launching.* I had a 1957 27' Ulrichsen sportfisherman that I would do that to and would spend the night after the launch.* As stated before, sealing the seams with just a slight bead of Boatlife caulk can eliminate problems.* Some of the fasteners can be tightened slightly but do not overtighten.* You can imagine the results if you do and the wood swells.* Sounds like a great project with potential results to be very proud of.* Good luck.

[slread]

Dad had a 50's strip plank. Was well built and very fast. Did leak slightly when water was first added, Boat was stored in a garage so didn't stay wet ( and tight). Don't remember any nuts to tighten. Did get a odor when the wood got wet, not too uncommon with woodies. Not too many people skilled in that kind of woodworking anymore, something to realize if you buy. Father finally glassed over the bottom as a easy preservative.