Thompson Bros. Boats

[troby@chibardun.net]

I recently obtained a boat manufactured by Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. of Pestigo, WS, serial # 12131 and hull # L81184. It has an Evinrude 50 H.P. Starfire electric outboard, serial # 08387. I would appreciate any information on the boat maker and the year(s) of the boat and motor.

 

[RGrew176]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

Thompson Boats is no longer in business.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

I recently obtained a boat manufactured by Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. of Pestigo, WS, serial # 12131 and hull # L81184. It has an Evinrude 50 H.P. Starfire electric outboard, serial # 08387. I would appreciate any information on the boat maker and the year(s) of the boat and motor.

There is a vintage Thompson site Thompson Boats Dockside, you may find some info there.Seems to me they used to be made in Cortland NY.

 

[DJ]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

Thompson made great boats. My family owned a 1958 with the same engine. My guess is that yours is late fifties, maybe early sixties.

A picture would be worth a thousand words.

Thompson went out of business with the advent of fiberglass boats coming on line. The name "Thompson" reimerged in the seventies as fiberglass boats built in St. Charles, Michigan-my home town. They, again, went out of business in the early nineties and the St. Charles plant stands empty, to this day. Sad!

Give us a pic. I can come close to dating it.

We made a lot of mod's to our Thompson (wood). I can help with that.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

My first boat was Dad's clean, used, 16' Thompson with a 30hp Evinrude, it was a great boat, I think it was a 58' model. A few yrs later on, we got a new 40hp Evinrude for it. It was very sporty with a plexiglas windshield, (instead of a square wooden one), and center deck steering , & controls, which made for great handling by making the bow lighter. It reminded me of todays modern bowriders. IMO in it's day, it was nicer styled then my friends, Cruisers Inc., Grady White, Penn Yann, Old Town, etc.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

the wooden Thompson was a 1st class boat. very sought after in this region.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

Agree on boat of choice back when I was on the Gulf Coast and wanted to go offshore to Chandeler Island off Southern Louisiana, in particular the 18' hard top, open fisherman.

Mark

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

The old wood Lapstrake Thompsons were some on the best boats made..had one with a 90hp rude way back when. Solid boat

 

[MikDee]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

The old wood Lapstrake Thompsons were some on the best boats made..had one with a 90hp rude way back when. Solid boat

A friend of mine had one with the same motor, it was a bigger (18' I think) later, sleeker, model then mine, with a clipper bow, and one of the fastest boats in the local area.

 

[dmcb]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

I lived near the St. Charles plant also (Caro). I almost bought a 26' in the late 80's.
Sad to see a boat builder go out of business.
Doug

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

The wood lapstrake design was a super boat from the standpoint of strength to weight ratio, lift when planing, interior room and per their designers, the flared bow and just plain flat beauty.....and I loved the wood framed windshield with the lift out panes to let air in on hot summer days.....along with the hardtop I mentioned.

But, as anyone that has ever been around them knows, the lapstrake design, in wood, is just rot waiting for a time to happen.

I know there were some lapstrake (may still be) looking designs in glass, but twern't the same critter.

Mark

 

[theamishrambo]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

I need some help here.

I recently came into possesion of a very early 17ft Thompson Bros. wood/canvas canoe. I found only one in my search of eBay and mine is in almost immaculate condition, comparitively.

If anyone has any info on the value, or anything about said canoe, contact would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to send pictures.

Thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Thompson Bros. Boats

Start a new thread about this. Please do not bring up threads.....

Welcome to iboats!