thompsondockside.com

Have a chance to buy a boat. Owner says title says 1959 19'.

We measured it and it tapes at 17'. Dashboard serial number not easy to read but appears 12517

Have a chance to pick up a 17', 1959 with a 50 hp Johnson. I'm no expert but have a couple of concerns 1. On transom, appears solid except a section approx. 1' long, 6" high at bottom and outer area that appears soft. Not sure how deep it goes. 2) I took a 4' level under hull. On one side (only...

If boat is warped under trailer bunk, will it show on each side if I run a straight edge parallel to bunk? Otherwise, how do you check for warp if boat is on trailer?

Hi, Been a long time since I posted. Have a chance to look at a boat this weekend, not sure what model. My question is, assuming it's been in someones barn for a long time, taking a moisture meter to the wood won't tell me much. Other than just pushing on the wood to see if it feels mushy, how can I...

Asking for a friend.

He has a 1940 11'8" rowboat. Hull number appears to be BX (or BV) 1446. He says he restored it. Anyone have an opinion of value or might be interested in adding to their stable?

Looks like a hole in the rear deckwork for a ski pylon. Not sure why the transom area for the motor would be that high though. If it was being set up to pull skiers, you'd want a low center of gravity and the motor to sit down low for rope clearance. Looks like someones' modifications but not sure i...

Am looking for wood as I need to rebuild keelson. Lumberyard says can furnish wood that will be "some heartwood but will be some sapwood on the edges." To my uneducated mind, this doesn't seem good. Should I turn this down?

Am having a devil of a time finding air dried white oak. I understand why it must be air dried for ribs to be able to bend, but is there any reason I can't use kiln dired wood to construct a new keelson.

Larry: I know what you're going through (except for the 2/3 epoxy). When I bought my boat (over ebay, only pictures) the seller said he didn't see any rot. How was I to know that he had a white cane with a red tip? Every rib just falls apart in your hand, along with the keeson and garboards. I have ...

Have tried local hardware, Menards, etc. Also checked Lowes and Home Depot near Lake Erie but no one has in stock. Can get it ordered but need to order a case. Looks like I'll have to buy over internet and have it shipped.

Any suggestion as to where to find the best deal/service?

Peter:

Regarding getting the boat in the garage, the trouble was somewhat hefty guys trying to squeeze themselves and the boat through the garage door and just the weight of the boat and the awkwardness of carrying it upside down.

It's doable, just need more people. Had 8 and we flipped. Bigger problem was carrying into garage once she was on her back.

Brace the inside well. Slide it off trailer onto a couple of tires and she rolls easy.

This is probably woodworking 101 so please excuse the stupid question from a rookie. Have the bottom pretty much dismantled and intend to buy wood tomorrow to make a new keelson. Lumberyard says they don't pick out heartwood but would let me loose in their piles to pick out my own wood. I assume tha...

Ken: Mission accomplished. We flipped the boat. More work in preparation than getting it done. All my ribs are rotten so no internal strenght so I put in three cross braces on the upper side of the boat, one at the dash and two more equal distances toward the stern and one close to the floor. Had 6 ...

Hopefuly soon will actually start on constructyion as opposed to destruction. Ist step will be to replace keelson, then ribs. Have started to look for sources for wood. Have contacted a number of lumber yards and mills in my area and no one has air seasoned/dried wood, they can offer green or kiln d...