The author’s THOMMY, a 1955 Thompson Thomboy, is in original condition, with nothing anachronistic or out of place.
ROD MELOTTE PHOTO IMAGERY
The term “Thompson Boat” conjures a picture of a white-painted lapstrake outboard boat with a stained and varnished mahogany deck and windshield frame. But these “iconic” Thompson watercraft were actually made for about a 15-year period in the company’s 92 years of operation, from the mid-1950s until the company dropped wooden boats from its product line in 1969. For much of the company’s history, cedar-strip hulls were the norm.
The Thomboy, one such boat, was introduced in late 1951 for the 1952 model year by Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. during the economic boom after the end of World War II. She was designed by Edward Thompson, one of six brothers who owned and operated the boat works. Thompson attended a naval architecture course as a young man and was a gifted designer.
Read this article now for Free!
Ready for a second free article? Create a free account by entering your email address and a password below.
— OR —
Subscribe now for $29.99 a year and have immediate access to all of our content, including hundreds of small-boat profiles, gear reviews and techniques, adventure stories, and more! You can also browse our entire archive of back issues starting from September 2014, as well as post unlimited classified ads. This is an extraordinary value!
What a beauty! Was the boat ever docked in the water for a season, or was it taken out and trailered after every use? The aft sides are not fiberglassed. If kept in the water I would expect the wooden sides to deteriorate over time. Again, I am envious!
Jim Fischer
Hi
I like the boat is a trailer included also what would u consider for her
Peter
Hi, thought I’d let you know I’m restoring a 1956 Tomboy for my good friend and mentor, Gary Nyberg, of Silver Lake, WA. She is just about finished, I’m adding the hardware to it now.