Thompson Sea Coaster restoration project

[Jocas]

My husband and I are restoring a 1957 Sea Coaster and are looking for hardware etc as the boat was pretty well stripped when we purchased it. Are there any websites specializing in Thompson parts...we have found plenty of Chris Craft (which purchased Thompson) but no one seems to carry Thompson items. Any other information or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jodi

[JRPfeff]

Jodi,

I've heard to watch ebay for parts. But I haven't checked closely enough to know what shows up there.

You can also try checking boat & motor repair shops. I lucked into a pair of Thompson badges that my outboard mechanic had hung on the wall for decoration. If they have any boats abandoned in the yard, they'll normally be happy to sell you the hardware.

Jim

[joelsm65]

unfortanitly there is not another site dedicated to thompson or one that sells parts but i go on ebay everyday and type in "thompson boat" on the main home page, right now because its the middle of winter there is an average of 20 items, but during boating season there are a lot of enteries. ususally some name plates, lights, hardware, and alot of old brochures. one store which is Boat US, carries alot of parts and hardware, they have a web site. one key is to do alot of research of what your boat had, andereas is a great resource, and alot of looking through web sites like boatus.com and boatersworld.com, also jamestowndistributors.com. you will find random hardware at each site like cleats, or i have even seen lights that match. hope these references help good luck

[a j r]

There is no such thing as "Thompson" hardware. The various Thompson boat manufacturers purchased off-the-shelf hardware from firms such as Perko, Kainer, Wilcox Crittenden, etc.... The only thing custom made was the chromed metal hullside logo.

Thompson Boat Company of New York, Inc. of Cortland, NY was purchased by Chris-Craft in January 1962. Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. of Peshtigo, WI never had any association with Chris-Craft.

Who made your boat? What is the hull ID (stamped into the wood of the transom inside the boat)? What is the serial number (on a small rectangular metal plate)?

Andreas

[jim hays]

jodi: jim hays here I'M also a new thompson owner I just purchase a 59 thompson sea coaster regiatered as a 64. The only place I found deck hardware is on ebay. you will need to look at the decade you want 40,50,60 and purchase what you want by bidding. I feel I just got lucky on some of the items I purchased (quite expensive but were never used) also you will find items listed for chriscraft and other wood boats,will fit your boat. I'm at present working on having my thompson boat logs done but feel there is possibly a legal question ,as I assume the name thompson is still a regitered trade mark. (ANDREAUS IS THIS CORRECT)when I get done I will post it in the forum but will be gone for the next 6 to 7 weeks.

[a j r]

Hi Jim, The "Thompson" boat logo with the bird superimposed over the "T" is currently being registered as a trademark by the Thompson Antique & Classic Boat Rally, Inc. (me). This was the logo used by Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. in the 1950s and 1960s. This trademark expired many years ago and I have just revived it and have applied for registration. It may take up to two years for it to be approved or rejected.

If you are looking for the metal hullside logos, watch ebay auctions as they come up fairly often. I am sure this would be a more economical means to obtain logos than having new ones made.

Also remember that Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. used different logos over the years and different sized chromed badges on various models. Also, boats after circa 1963 had the "Thompson" logo with "Bros. of Peshtigo, Wisconsin" as part of the metal badge. On some models, such as eh Sea Lancer these were painted black, not chromed.

Andreas

[Ron P]

Has anyone seen this logo? What year?

[a j r]

Ron, that's a mid 1950s Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. logo.

Andreas

[ecottrell]

I have a 1958 Sea Lancer with the same logo. Mine is chrome with a red bird.

[a j r]

Ah, but what size is it and does it have the red painted on the depth of the letters in addition to the face of the bird?

Andreas

[Ron P]

ok here I found another one. Made of metal. When did Thompson use this one? Wood or fiberglass boat? Cheers
Ron P.

[a j r]

Hi Ron, Note that the bird is more stylized with more rigid lines. This is from AFTER 1970 when the logo was revised by industrial designer Richard Arbib for Thompson during the Saul Padek reign. So, this is for fiberglass boats only.

Andreas