Free Boat (yea, I know)

[2ndtry]

Picked up a "free" boat today, 1962 Thompson Sea Coaster. Of course, I'm already in for over 200 because it needed new tires and lights.



Its in rough shape, needs a new bottom, some ribs repaired, and a new deck and gunwales. (thats it?), but it did come with seats and some bling

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Congrats man on a free boat!!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Looks like you got something to work with! Nice!

 

[M9.9]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Hi all, You may consider doing all the checks for worms and dry rot before spending a bunch of time on it, or any wood hull boat. Doing the test in the beginning may save a lot of time in the end. But a great looking boat potential for the price, good luck w/your project.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

That's a beautiful looking project!!! Looks like it's gonna be a lot of fun to work on. Take your time and enjoy every minute of it...

She's gonna look incredible when you're done. I can hardly wait to see the pics of her when you have all that beautiful wood reconditioned!!!

Have you started looking for a '62 Johnson or Mercury, yet?

 

[superbenk]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Free boat = most expensive kind (I'm living it )

 

[southkogs]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Nice looking boat. Used to see a couple out on our lake. The "wood" look on those is classic.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Way back when, when I was a kid there were all sorts of those types of boats cruising our lakes. Thompsons, Cruisers Inc., Tomahawk and many others. In all sorts of sizes including small day cruiser cuddies. Still love the looks of them today! Just wish I had the woodworking skills to do it! There are 3 of them in this area right now for sale on CL already stripped of paint and waiting.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Hi all, You may consider doing all the checks for worms and dry rot before spending a bunch of time on it, or any wood hull boat. Doing the test in the beginning may save a lot of time in the end. But a great looking boat potential for the price, good luck w/your project.

Don't have to look too hard on this one to find the rot. It will need a new bottom and some ribs repaired, not sure about the stringers yet. The whole topside will need to be replaced as well. On the plus the transom and side most of the laps down to the bottom are sound. Also, the PO had the presence of mind to remove the windshield, dash, chrome, and lots of the trim to store in a trailer for the last decade, so its in good shape. I'm hoping for a Fall 2012 splash, 2013 might be more more optimisitic.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

That's a beautiful looking project!!!...Have you started looking for a '62 Johnson or Mercury, yet?

Thanks. Its got Johnson controls now, so thats the preference, PO said it was a '67 75 hp. I need a little time with the hull before I actively start looking for power, I'm a bit overwhelmed.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Congrats on the free boat. That's an awesome free starting point. I for one hope to see a resto thread on it.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Nice looking project, looking forward to following along.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Free Boat (yea, I know)

Great lines and style on that one, I fished one year in one much like yours on Lake Huron. The hull on these is quite different than a typical deep V glass or tin boat. Lots of sliding, side to side in Great Lakes wave conditions. We ended up damaging the transom on the one we used, but it had some rot in back and was eventually scraped because of that. Nice flat water run-about, good luck bringing her back.