Thompson 14 ( The Wooden Whaler) pics

[Quk&DrtyPete]

With no apologies to the purists in the group I present my completed project. The original layout of this boat was as a standard 4 person runabout with a long deck an plexiglass windshield. Not very practical for a guy who likes to fish. After reading an article in WoodenBoat about a guy who converted a 21 ft Grady White to a center console I decided to give it a try. I'm very pleased with the finished product. Did not have to purchase any wood for the conversion and restoration as the old seats were simply recut and used for the console. I had never used CEPS before and this little boat drank about a gallon of the stuff after she was striped down. I also used the original pulley steering system and ran the cables down the inside of the console then along the stringers aft. Boat handling is great and I enjoy running the boat from the console as the weight is centered. The seats swivel for fishing ( have not caught a fish yet!). To my thinking this boat is much more useable in this layout. My current project is a 17 ft. Thompson, which is really a much larger boat, and making it into a center console also. Hope you all like this concept of redoing an old wood boat . KEEP SANDING!!! www.banner-tirbune.com/ftos/thomas1.jpg www.banner-tribune.com/ftos/thomas2.jpg www.banner-tribune.com/ftos/thomas3.jpg </font> http://www.banner-tribune.com/ftos/thomas1.jpg http://banner-tribune.com/ftos/thomas2.jpg http://www.banner-tribune.com/ftos/thomas3.jpg

[Roger Stouff]

Excellent work!

And the pics look good, too. ;)

[Garrett Lowell]

Very Nice! Looks like you'll be out there sooner rather than later. But I must tell you, the only purists left are the Amish, all the rest are wannabees. I doubt there are any (Amish) on this forum.

[Mr. Know It All]

I think making a boat more practical for what you're going to be using it for, is a great idea and very creative. Very nice work on the conversion and restoration. What year is the Thompson in the pictures and what kind of outboard? Thanks for posting the pic's.
Peace----&gt; Kevin in Ohio

[Pelican]

Beautiful job Pete. Much more practical for a fishing boat. I have a 28' old Pearson cabin cruiser I'm going to convert to a pure fishing boat similar to what you did.

[Quk&DrtyPete]

Thanks for the complements. The boat is a 1958 I think. The registration has some question marks on it. The motor is a 1958, again i think, Johnson 35 hp. twin cyclinder. The Johnson really makes the boat move and it planes easily in about 2 boat lenghts.

[lumberdude]

I love that boat!! If I could find another just like mine, I think I would try a front steering aproach. It just seems to distribute the weight so much nicer.

Here's to many years of enjoyable fishing!

lumberdude