1942 Thompson Runabout

[Scottdog]

Hi all! New guy here looking for some info......

My father dug this old wooden boat out of the boathouse last weekend.
It's a 1942 Thompson Bros. 14' Family Runabout. Hasn't seen the light
of day since 1979. My grandfather ordered it from the Cortland, NY plant
but due to the big fire it came from the Peshtigo, WI plant instead.

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_001.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_002.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_003.jpg

We are looking for insight on restoring this old beauty. Anything you can offer
is greatly appreciated. It would be nice to find any kind of documentation
on this boat. Owners manuals, brochures, advertisements, pictures of others like it......

Please help.

Thanks, Scott

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_004.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_005.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_007.jpg

[Scottdog]

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_006.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_008.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_009.jpg

http://www.michaelsarrail.com/dogpound/thompson/1942_thompson_010.jpg

[ripley699]

personally,i know nothing about Thompson boats until the very early 60's,but a friend who restores boats just restored this very same model.When it comes to older restorations,this guy is "the man".he is located in Laconia,N.H.
Let me see if i can get some pics and numbers for you..

RIP

[C. Ross]

Andreas Jordahl Rhude is the Thompson expert. He might show up soon on this thread, or you can send him a private message.

[AndreasJordahlRhude]

Nice looking boat. She appears to be in pretty good condition. Maybe she just needs to be cleaned up and paint and varnish coats added?

There was a major fire at the Cortland, NY branch plant of Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. on 30 March 1942. 450 completed boats were destroyed not to mention all but a small building (that was built to replace space destroyed in a fire in July 1932).

If she is a 1942 model year boat, she looks like the TVT DeLuxe Speedster. This came in 5 different sizes. In lengths of 14 and 16 ft. (gunwale length) and three different widths. The 14 footer came in widths of 46, 50 and 54 inches. The brochure does not picture or mention more than one crown deck.

There are NO onwner's manauls for Thompson Boat. Or repair manuals.

The brochures for Thompson Boat et.al. are available for purchase on a CD-ROM at www.wcha.org (http://www.wcha.org) and www.dragonflycanoe.com (http://www.dragonflycanoe.com)

The Thompson owner's group is www.thompsondockide.com (http://www.thompsondockide.com) and there is another group that has the Thomspon Antique & Classic Boat Rally every other year. The next one is slated for August 2010 at Marinette, WI - six miles from Peshtigo. This is a non-judged gathering.

Andreas
Founder & President
Thompson Antique & Classic Boat Rally, Inc.
thompsonboat@msn.com

[Scottdog]

Ah yes... The power of a community of enthusiasts. Already the fountain of
information is flowing strong.

I would like to talk to this fellow in Laconia. As a matter of fact, my father
and I might be in his neighborhood this Saturday.

Thanks again, Scott

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[ripley699]

Scott,
I will be across the street from my buddy Charlie on Thursday [tomorrow] and I will get some info and find out if he will be around on Saturday...he often is .
You are from Maine I see .send me a PM and we can talk
Ripley