What
Do I Have?
Many people wonder what Thompson,
Cruisers Inc. or T & T boat they own. Rarely do state
registration forms and sales receipts, (unless they are the original
when the boat was sold new) ever tell the right model or year the
hull was built.
Since starting the Thompson Dockside five years ago, about 35% of
the subscribers own a different model/and or year Thompson than they
were led to believe. Updated information is one of the the
most requested items by folks who email, call, or write me.
In an effort to make things a little easier in identifying your boat
here is what I need:
1.
Exact Length
|
The
exact overall length of your boat from the tip of the bow
straight back down the center of the boat to the transom.
Don't let the height of the windshield give you a false
reading. |
2.
Beam
|
The
beam at its widest point. |
3.
obc Plate
|
The
information on the red (if the paint is still there) aluminum
obc plate. It is about 1 inch by 2 inches. The
plate can usually be found on the starboard side, inside of
the transom, assuming someone hasn't removed it, and your boat
was made in the early 50's or later. Sometimes the
battery box or the starter solenoid box covers the plate.
This plate will give the maximum recommended horsepower and
carrying capacity in weight. Very nice bonus if you can
find it. On Cruisers Inc. boats, the plate may be on the
port side. |
4.
Hull Number
|
Around
the same area on the starboard inside transom are some letters
and numbers about a half inch high burned into the wood.
These numbers and letters represent the hull number. |
5.
Serial Number
|
On
Thompson Brothers Boats starting in the mid 1950's in
addition to the hull number they also had a serial number.
This serial number is on a small metal plate with the
"Thompson" name and "Peshtigo Wisconsin".
This number is different than the hull number and was placed
on the dash board. Often, owners would remove it when
they refinished the dash and didn't put it back on.
The serial number and the hull number are the same for the
Cortland made boats. Cortland continued this ID system
even after the break from Peshtigo in 1959. After Chris
Craft bought the Cortland plant in January of 1962, they
changed the hull numbering system to conform with their method
of numbering.
In addition to the above areas, several people have found hull
numbers written under the seats, by the windshield or under a
deck while stripping the boat for refinishing. Often
times they will find names or initials as well.
Typically this was the person responsible for that hull as it
went through the building or finishing process.
Starting in November, 1972, the US Coast Guard required hull
ID's and they initiated a federal government system.
Prior to that date, there was no requirement for hull ID's.
The code will give the manufacturer along with the month and
year the hull was built. It will also give an
internal serial number.
T & T Boats also have a hull number stamped into the
transom.
|
6.
Pictures
|
If
a picture is worth a thousand words, I only need two thousand
words worth! But I do need the pictures! I need
one showing the entire boat, side view, so I can see the bow
lines in particular. I need another showing the
interior. Taking the picture from behind and above
the transom will give me a pretty good idea of the seat
layouts etc. Any other pictures you deem necessary will
help. You can email me the pictures (and accompanying
information) at TDockside@aol.com
If you email the pictures, they must be sent as original jpeg
format only. |
7.
Misc odds and ends.
|
Any
Xeroxes of anything interesting you think will help is
appreciated. In the last few years, no less than three
people have provided copies of receipts from Ray Thompson who
personally sold the folks their boat. |
Send everything to:
Miles Kapper
The Thompson Dockside
4400 West Riverside Drive
PMB 143
Burbank, CA 91501
See you at Dockside
Miles.
|
