1963 Sea Coaster Deluxe project

chvjillson · Post by **chvjillson** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:32 am

Hi folks:

This past summer I purchased a Peshtigo-built '63 Thompson Sea Coaster Deluxe model 1650 from a guy who owned it since about 1965 (his father purchased it in '64 new at Hanson Marina on Rawson Bridge Road in Port Barrington, Il). The boat comes with a '63 Evinrude Starflite 75 and a '63 Gator trailer.

The boat is all original ... upholstery, vinyl floor covering, cockpit liners, bimini top with hardware .... and a number of original accessories, including a bilge pump, electric wipers, ski mirror, remote electric tilt for the motor, spot light, and a Thompson compass/speedometer instrument panel.

Serial number is 24012, Hull ID = V30888.

Although the boat has been taken care of very well, it does leak quite a bit, but I think it's worth the effort to get it fixed up again.

Here are some photos of the boat, and I'll be posting more as we go along with the restoration project.

Clark

I've started to take the floor boards out, and so far there's no sign of rot at any of the ends of the ribs. So far so good!

LancerBoy · Post by **LancerBoy** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:14 am

Looks nice!

The leaking is most likely at the outer keel. Pop it off, clean up everything under there, reseal, prime paint, recaulk and pop the keel back on and do final paint coats.

Andreas

vernonfarmer · Post by **vernonfarmer** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:00 pm

Very nice! Quite the looker as-is. Bring her up to Chetek for the All Wisconsin made boat rally the first Sunday in August.

Torchie · Post by **Torchie** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:15 pm

Very nice boat.
I agree with Andreas. Then get her in the water this summer and have some fun!!
Karl.

W Guy · Post by **W Guy** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:22 pm

My '60 Sea Coaster is very similar to yours, but without the hull liners and padded dash. Mine is also a very nice original boat but it did leak like a sieve the first time out. I figure it's just the old caulk that's dried up and a bit of wiggling of the screws from bouncing on the water. My plan is just what Andreas suggested: remove the outer keel, loosen a few boards, repack with good sealer then tighten everything up again. (of course, paint after that).
Wouldn't it wonderful to have an old wooden boat like these that you could actually leave unattended in the water for a few hours without it sinking!?!?!?!?

Verne

PS: I also have the same Gator trailer as yours.

txcaptdan · Post by **txcaptdan** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:01 am

What a beautiful original boat. Any wooden boat stored for a length of time will take on some water when launched. I agree keel cap and around transom are usually the culprits. I always spray my hulls down with water on the inside a day or so before launching, this always helps. Wow, even the original hull liners, those were added to hide the fact it was wooden, I would remove them and save them for shows. I like showing off ribs. Selling price???

willsu · Post by **willsu** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:28 am

Clark:

I was looking thru the posts when I came across yours. Looking at the pics was like looking at a picture of mine. Same color interior, but not the liners. I always though mine was a 65, or atleast that's what the title says, but Andreas checked the numbers and thought it may be a 64. Either way it looks like a twin. Mine is powered by a 65 Jonson 90hp Meteor. Would like to stay in touch and see how the resto goes as mine needs a little tlc, well mabe a little more than tlc.

Arnie Brulhardt · Post by **Arnie Brulhardt** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:02 pm

Hi Clark:

That's a very clean and solid boat you have, good luck cleaning her up and getting her out on the water!
If you have a chance take alook at my site: http://home.earthlink.net/~oldspiker

I have a 63 SeaCoaster also. My Dad bought it brand new.

Have fun with the restoration!

Arnie

chvjillson · Post by **chvjillson** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:41 am

Thanks everybody for your replies! I'm really hoping I can bring the boat up to Chetek this summer ... that would be a lot of fun.

Dan, I purchased the boat for $1,200.00 which I though was a decent price considering its condition, but knowing it needs some TLC as well.

Arnie, your boat looks great! It's a model 1673, correct?

I now have the entire floor removed, and vacuumed a lot of old leaves and other debris. I've checked the T Keelson, sister keelsons, and each rib and I cannot feel any rot. The only thing I've seen is some of the planking's top layer has some cracks in it, and is pealing a little in some spots.

Then, I did notice an odd piece of wood that was fastened to the planking. It didn't take much to remove it, but it revealed this! The area around the hole is all solid.

More to come as we explore the bottom of the boat!

Torchie · Post by **Torchie** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:34 am

The enterior of that hull looks real good. Price sounds good also.
Looks like it had a thru hull fitting at some time. My Off Shore had two for a toilet

Have fun and keep the posts coming.
Karl

LancerBoy · Post by **LancerBoy** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:24 am

Looks nice Clark. Give a cleaning with TSP, if you haven't done so yet. That will remove a lot of the grime. Rinse well afterwards.

I'd add varnish to the interior. Get some real cheapy brushes and don't worry about destroying them on the nuts/bolts, etc...

You can put a dutchman (patch) at that thru hole and a butt block on the interior.

Did you get rid of your Thomboy?

Andreas

W Guy · Post by **W Guy** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:21 pm

Andreas, What is TSP? I was thinking about cleaning out the bilge of mine with Purple Power.

Verne

Oh, and that hole in the bottom might have been for a depth sounder.

Bill Dunn · Post by **Bill Dunn** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:28 pm

My '59 Sea Lancer has a through hull bilge drain that looks a lot like that. Is it near the transom? Mine is about 6" forward and about centered between keelsons on the port side (from memory, since she is all tucked away for the winter). Nice looking rig. I thought I was lucky to have the original cushions in good shape. It is amazing to still have the hull liners in that kind of shape after 50 years. I am thinking about going to Chetek also. maybe I will see you there.
Bill

Phill Blank · Post by **Phill Blank** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:14 pm

W Guy,

TSP is "Tri-Sodium Phosphate". It is a strong commercial cleaner used to prep surfaces for painting. Generally available in paint departments of most stores that handle paint.
Although most of the new TSP is Phosphate free. Who the H_ll knows why they still call is TSP.

Any good strong cleaner that will cut thru oil and grease will do the trick as long as it does not leave a residue that will not allow the varnish or panit to get a good hold.

Chvjillson, Nice looking rig and in fantastic shape to boot. Price was not bad either.

Good Luck,

Phill

txcaptdan · Post by **txcaptdan** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:17 am

Clark, you did great on price! Seems very solid an easy restoration. Put some water in hull and see were she leaks. Keel caps and around transom are usually the culprit for most leaks.

Good luck, very nice boat!!!