New member and first boat... Advice?

[DentonRiverFishing]

Hello all. I'm nw to the forum and new to boat restoration. Yesterday I bought... what was told to me... a late 50's Thompson. I found a website that I can visit find out the exact make and everything, I plan on getting that info as soon as I can.

Do you guys have any advice that you might feel useful? Example: pictures of progress, techniques...anything. There is a dent underneath about a quarter the way down from the front... Sorry, I don't know any "boat" terms. I'm thinking I will take apart all the planks and do a complete overhaul. Do you think that is a good idea? It has "Volvo Penta" on the motor and on the gages next to the string wheel.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

[SMARTINSEN]

The first thing is to learn how to post photos. There is a lot of expertise here, and a picture is worth.....

Oh, and welcome.

[DentonRiverFishing]

Yeah, im on a "fishing" forum and know about posting photos. Is it weird that just thinking about restoring my first boat I ever ownedhas guy me thinking about different projects?

[Vernon]

On this forum, you'll need to host the picture on a site like Flickr and use a link to display here. Thompson made some nice boats. It's probably weird but not unusual for a member of this forum to think about the next project having barely started the current one.

Welcome!

Vern

[DentonRiverFishing]

Here she is.. at the garage sale. Lets see if I got this.

[David G]

Looks like she's been out in the weather a LOT.

First thing I'd do is poke and prod at all the spots where rainwater might have collected, and started some rot. Looks like some, probably all, of the motor cover will need replacing. Obviously the toe rails will need to be put back - assuming they, and the deck, and the structure under the deck is sound.

Did the original have a windshield? Something to track down or fabricate?

New sole and seats.

Is the engine in good shape? The outdrive?

Lots of stripping, filling, fairing, priming, and painting - but that's later... after all the structural, systems, and mechanical work is done.

You've definitely got yourself a project... even with just the obvious stuff.

G'luck!

[TerryLL]

Yikes!

Best of luck, and post lots of photos.

[spirit]

Let's face it, DentonRiver. This is one tired boat.
Can it be fixed. Yes!
Do you really want to do so? I wouldn't...

I would start over with another vessel altogether.
The best alternative is to find an expert to tell you what the engine etc is worth. Then go from there.
I am sorry to rain on your dream, but my humble opinion is that there are better dreams.

[David G]

For me... it would depend upon the survey. If I found a bunch of places where ribs or planking needed to be replaced... in addition to the things I mentioned above. Another big red flag would be if the motor needed to be replaced or rebuilt (and you don't have the skills and desire to do it yourself).

If all the structure is all sound - then it may just look worse, because of weathering, than it really is.

[DentonRiverFishing]

Thanks all. David, yes the glass came with it and was told it was original. The engine has been sitting for years so I would assume it needs to be overhauled also. I do know that when I turn the wheel the motor moves...Im sure its one of the easiest fixes if it didnt. The stripping, filling, priming, and painting... I have that covered. I paint on the weekends when I can, and I love the look of stained wood, but what is fairing?

Spirit, thanks for the thought but I dont mind taking the time. I told my wife I have a 5 year plan. I dont tend to just rush into it and get flustered. I think this will be a project I can take my time and enjoy. I have 2yr old twin boys and think that when they get older and can help with say... painting or something that they will be able to appreciate it also. My neighbor builds kayaks, and canoes and has taught classes years ago. He is a real nice guy and Im sure I will be having him instruct me along the way.

Im sure some ribs if not most will be replaced, but my neighbor can help me with showing me how to steam them or something. Im thinking that I will take the boat apart piece by piece, label it, and practically start from scratch. Have any of you done this? If so, how many hours do you think I am looking at?

Do any of you know of a blogging site that I may be able to reference or something or is this the only site I need? Though I will be talking to my neighbor, I would still like to have other opinions as well. Thanks and I will definately share my progress.

[wizbang 13]

I am no Thompson expert, but I bet that IO is a retro fit.
These boats suffer from bad trailer bunking. If the bottom is not fair (dented from rollers) , that is a BIG strike against the boat.

[TXdoug]

You will get good advice here on the restore.

If I were you I would take the paperwork you have to the Texas Parks and Wildlife office and see what you are in for on registration. It can be a tough prospect here.
Hate to see you do a huge restore and not be able to register her. At the very least you will need title to both boat and motor.