Thunderbird Boat Help Please

[bjnickers]

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I just received a Thunderbird Boat for free from a friend. It is about 18 ft or so Tri Hull Bow Rider.

I need some desperate help determining what type of Thunderbird Boat I own.
Need to know where the VIN # is located?
What year it may be? Early 70's I was told.
Where can I get an Owner's Manual.

I would like to restore this boat to it's orignal condition but need someone's help please.

Have pictures and will send if you can help, just supply your email address.

I look forward to anyone's help.

Regards,
Brian

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

Welcome to iboats.

IF (big if) the boat has a HIN hull identification number it is "usually" on the transom. The numbers were not required until the 70's and many manufacturers were sloppy at placing them.

Owner's manual's really do not apply to boats and if you ever find one it might be a miracle. Owner's manuals apply to the outboard or the I/O.

Post your photos and people may recognize it. We do not permit contact information in our posts.

Check out our restoration section on how to bring it back to life

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

Post a photo of the boat here and I may be able to help you identify it.

Also, there is a forum here in the "Boat Manufacturer Forum" section for "Cathedral Thunderbird Boats." While your boat is a trihull, the manufacturer referred to the design as a "cathedral hull." There aren't very many entries there, possibly because of the way the section is named in the forum, but you might like to take a look.

I own what I originally thought was a Thunderbird Cheyenne. As it turns out, its actually a Commanche. The difference between the two is subtle, with the Cheyenne having a longer cockpit and a shorter raised section for the cuddy. On the Commanche, which is what I really have, the cockpit is shorter and the raised section is longer, giving a more spacious cuddy.

BTW, if your boat is an outboard version, don't be surprised if you pull the deck for replacement and find that not all of the stringers run all the way to the transom. There should be five there, but the center three will stop short of the well. These boats were built like tanks and apparently full length stringers are not required on 3 out of 5 of the stringers.

There is a guy who frequents these forums on occassion, who owns several T-Birds, plus his family has owned many more. He knows the boats better than anyone who I have corresponded with so far. If you would like to PM me your email addy, I will pass it on to him for possible response. He realy likes these boats and likes to know others who have them, so my guess is that you will hear from him quickly.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

If it's an open bow outboard from around 1970 it is probably an apache like mine, there were no hull numbers on mine and it tapes out at 18' 6". Unless it was kept in a barn all it's life, the transom and stringers are shot because thunderbird did not glass the transom below the deck and the weird placement of drain holes actually promoted rot. If you do a search, you can see pics of what i had to start with, they still are great boats

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

I've never heard of a T-Bird transom not being glassed below the deck. Mine is glassed all the way.

Are you sure the transom in your boat isn't a replacment that someone did incorrectly?

 

[bjnickers]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

The pictures I took with my camrea are too large to display, this is why I added my email address. Sorry I did not know that was not allowed.

I will check the hull tonight after work to see if the number is there.

It is funny you mentioned not glass, under the floor boards and at the rear of the boat is wood.

Please keep the information coming.

Brian

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

Set up a free account on photobucket.com and upload your pictures there. You can even resize them (forum prefers 640x480) there with one click.

 

[old bird]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

I know this is not the same boat, but, I have a 1977
"Thunderbird" Formula 26'. In trying to learn more about this "Old Bird", I'v found that "Thunderbird", "Signa", and "Formula", were different co.s back when. and became the same around 1970.
You may like to go to Formulaboats.com, hit "Owner's Community" (top right)
then "Vintage Formula", scroll down to the bottom, and hit "Brochures".
Try the 1st few 1972 -1974, there you'll find some 18' tri-hulls, maybe yours.
Hope this helps

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

Without having anything to compare to, I had to believe it was originally not glassed below the deck. The p.o. had put a second layer over what I believed to be the original deck. What I meant by weird placement of drain holes is there are two side drains in my bilge well that are on the upper step where there isn't much of a chance of draining unless it's half under water.

 

[Tug Boat Danny]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

I'd Like to write this gentleman I just boughgt an 18'3" Thunderbird and may sell or restore it depending but I do need some info on her first, I sure do like this fourm Guys, Danny

Post a photo of the boat here and I may be able to help you identify it.

Also, there is a forum here in the "Boat Manufacturer Forum" section for "Cathedral Thunderbird Boats." While your boat is a trihull, the manufacturer referred to the design as a "cathedral hull." There aren't very many entries there, possibly because of the way the section is named in the forum, but you might like to take a look.

I own what I originally thought was a Thunderbird Cheyenne. As it turns out, its actually a Commanche. The difference between the two is subtle, with the Cheyenne having a longer cockpit and a shorter raised section for the cuddy. On the Commanche, which is what I really have, the cockpit is shorter and the raised section is longer, giving a more spacious cuddy.

BTW, if your boat is an outboard version, don't be surprised if you pull the deck for replacement and find that not all of the stringers run all the way to the transom. There should be five there, but the center three will stop short of the well. These boats were built like tanks and apparently full length stringers are not required on 3 out of 5 of the stringers.

There is a guy who frequents these forums on occassion, who owns several T-Birds, plus his family has owned many more. He knows the boats better than anyone who I have corresponded with so far. If you would like to PM me your email addy, I will pass it on to him for possible response. He realy likes these boats and likes to know others who have them, so my guess is that you will hear from him quickly.

 

[tbird175]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just received a Thunderbird Boat for free from a friend. It is about 18 ft or so Tri Hull Bow Rider.

I need some desperate help determining what type of Thunderbird Boat I own.
Need to know where the VIN # is located?
What year it may be? Early 70's I was told.
Where can I get an Owner's Manual.

I would like to restore this boat to it's orignal condition but need someone's help please.

Have pictures and will send if you can help, just supply your email address.

I look forward to anyone's help.

Regards,
Brian

The older thunderbirds prior to HID numbers had a placard showing a serial No., max HP, and max weight. It is normally to the right the motor well. Post this info, it might help.

 

[thunderbird1958]

Re: Thunderbird Boat Help Please

i also would like to have some info on thunderbird boats i am restoring 1958 tbird apache 20.5 feet long would like to see some photos of some thanx .