The Thompson's home...

[Roger Stouff]

Here's what I got (pics later):

Laps appear to all be in great shape.

Bottom plywood (not lapped) is a total loss, will have to be replaced.

Most of the ribs (1x2 steam bent) are rotten right at the keel. Unsure of keel condition, but likely the other layer (it's laminated) will be a total loss, too.

Because of the rotted ribs, the boat has a decided twist fore to aft. The trailer likely worsens this, because it wasn't configured right.

Bottom outside transom board needs replacing, couple of the inner transom boards too.

Needs to be redecked bow to sterm.

Window frame needs a few new pieces, not too bad.

New rubrail, fastenings on the lap look great, dash is great, seats boxes need some work but not too bad, needs floor board supports and floors, various other odds and ends, but that appears to be the worst of it. I probed and poked for hours on it, and I think I found most of the trouble.

Question: To work on the bottom, should I: 1) Chock it up somehow? 2) Reinforce the topside and lay it on its side? 3) Reinforce the topside and put in on a cradle bottom up? 4) What else?

I do really like this boat, though. smile.gif

Regards from the Rez,
R

[Paul Scheuer]

I'd vote for bottom up. (on a good frame). I hate overhead work. With bifocals, it's a B****. Your pics will also be better, allowing better commentary from the peanut gallery.

[Quk&DrtyPete]

Roger, When I redid my 14 Thompson I turned it over and placed it back on the trailer with several braces. The interior was gutted which made the boat hull very light. 4 guys 2 at the transom 1 at the bow and 1 to move the trailer out of the way. Pick up, set on grass, roll over and return on trailer. My current project, the 17fter is about to be turned over the same way but will need 5 guys with the extra 1 at the bow. I drilled a whole in the center on an 8 ft. 2 x 4 and lashed it to the bow eye. At the transom another 8 ft 2 x 4 with 2 3/4 in holes drilled through the 2 x 4 at the transom eyes and lashed to the transom. 4 guys now can pick it up easily. Might as well remove the interior now to make your job easier............Good Luck and Keep Sanding..........

[jeff pierce]

Roger-
I vote for bottom up, as well. I think you'd sorely regret any other setup.

My suggestion: you just finished building a boat upside down on a fixture. Why not build something similar inside this hull and secure it while right side up and then flip the whole assembly upside down.

[Mr. Know It All]

Roger.....The bigger the boat the harder it is to roll over. A 16' Lyman weighs about 560 pounds. An 18 foot Lyman weighs over a 1000 pounds. Ya folla? Thompson's are heavier still. There was an interesting thread about building a frame and rolling the boat in place with little manpower required. I'll see if I can find it.Looking forward to the pictures. Hang in there.
Peace---> Kevin in Ohio

[Mr. Know It All]

By golly the search function works great, here it is---> http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004027
Peace---> Kevin in Ohio

[Paul Scheuer]

Roger, I went back to the pics on your Definite Luck thread. I see the twist. Bottoms up will make it a lot easier to get everything back to square, and see which fastenings are moving with the racking. I'm visualizing a jack at the transom corner with careful observation of the whole structure while it's being trued up.

I also looked at the notes on roll-over schemes. Good stuff there. There seems to be an emphasis on the use of a beer-fueled crew. I have some experience in this from my misspent youth. The lessons learned were to do the expensive, heavy and dangerous stuff early in the process.

Sounds like you'll also be doing some work on the trailer. That will be easier with the boat off.

[Roger Stouff]

Thanks all for your help. I knew I could count on the great people on this forum.

This morning, I had a buddy watch from the stern, while I pushed up on the low side of the bow, and he said when I pushed, the whole thing evened out nicely, including the stem and keel, so that's a good sign.

Bottoms up seems to be the plan.

I shot photos with the Banner's Nikon, so I can't get them off the camera from home. I'll go to the office this afternoon or evening to get and upload them to my server, then post them here.

Thanks again for ALL replies!

R