Looking at this boat, a 1960 Thompson Seacoaster....woulc you buy it?

[Cannondale]

OK, I'm going to go look at this boat tomorrow and wonder what I should be looking for....I've not tried to evaluate an older wooden boat. It's a 1960 Thompson SeaCoaster, 16', with a 1970 Johnson 50hp on the rear. Any advice outside looking for the obvious rotten wood? Or, in other words, if it's OK, would you consider buying it? It'd be used in Wellfleet harbor primarily and some nearby smaller lakes and ponds. Thanks!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Looking at this boat, a 1960 Thompson Seacoaster....woulc you buy it?

Wow. Nice find. I love it. If the price is right, I say go for it. Of course, wood can always rot, so I would look over every square inch on it just so you know what you're getting in for. Otherwise, it looks like she's all there. You'll definitely be the cool guy at the boat ramp too, which if the most important thing after all Although, I'm not crazy about the green Jonson. I might be tempted to put on a pair of matching '56-'58 Johnsons, or even of the all white, early '60s "Big Twins", but if the motor works well now, there's no sense in mucking with it. Good luck. Keep us posted. Cheers!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Looking at this boat, a 1960 Thompson Seacoaster....woulc you buy it?

Nice..If the prce is right grab that beauty.
Every once inawhile a wood Thompson comes up for sale and I always want to go buy it.
They will be pretty scarce soon!

 

[Ned L]

Re: Looking at this boat, a 1960 Thompson Seacoaster....woulc you buy it?

Plywood lapstrake on steam bent oak ribs. - Check for cracked ribs (usually at the turn of the bilge in the aft half). sight along the bottom from the transom forward to see if the bottom is hogged at all. & yep, look for any soft wood (check the bottom plywood panels closely along the keel.