thompsondockside.com

Hah! Imagine being called "experienced"! Just a backyard hacker flubbing around. I figured it's either throw the boat out or try this, and this has, if nothing else, been a great conversation starter! I was worried about the planks/stringers popping right off, but I had it down to bare woo...

Thanks to everyone for their tips on what's wrong with the hull of my 1961 Thompson Offshore, in a thread back in September. It was hogged, and several folks suggested ideas on how to correct it: brace it against the shop ceiling, while keeping it wet, for several months. Unfortunately I don't have ...

So to measure the transom, I go from the transom top, vertically downwards to a straightedge held at the bottom of the KEEL? I was going to the bottom of the hull. This would make the motor about 2 1/2" too high. Thanks again for all the help!

Thanks again John: I didn't know transom height is measured at the vertical. The face of the transom is actually just under 22". I'm guessing it's not original, since I can find no serial number anywhere in it. When it was on the trailer, the motor trimmed to vertical and a straightedge is held...

John, that's a pretty impressive makeover! Beyond what I'm capable of doing, I'm afraid. What kind of boat is it? Stiffening the stringers might be all that is required. I put on my mask and snorkel and dove under the boat yesterday, and the keel looks straight. The trailer does not have rollers, bu...

I'm writing this as a result of answers I got on a previous post in the Engines forum about motor shaft length. Turns out the problem is a hooked or hogged bottom. Some people have suggested jacking the keel down, against a strong I-beam or something. This will likely straighten the keel, but I'm su...

Hi everyone-- I have cross-posted this thread to the Woodenboat.com forum, and opinions there are also that a hook or hog on the bottom is the problem. Joe, I'm aware of the effect of trimming in, but as soon as I trim it out, the prop cavitates-- which is one reason I thought shaft length is the pr...

Very interesting you'd mention a hook in the bottom. Part of getting it back in the water was a new coat of bottom paint. When I lifted it off the trailer there's a distinct, though shallow, depression just before the transom-- perhaps only 1/8" if a ruler were held against it. I believe it was...

Hi-- I've recently got our old family Thomson Off Shore 19 back in the water after 6 years on a trailer. It's 18'8" and is powered by a 1990, 100 HP Mercury. I've had it up and running a few times, and once on a plane the handling is, in a nutshell, scary! It bowsteers, the stern slides during ...