When Did It Become Curtains For Side Curtains?
While stalking boats on ebay and finding this cool Thompson with original stuff, like her trailer and side curtains, that we never see side curtains on our classic boats anymore. Why is that? I certainly know for me that I never feel that I have much use for them, and that any weather that is so bad that I need curtains for isn’t weather I want to be out on anyway. Its like you want then in the boat with you since they take up space.
But ya gotta admit they look cool on this time capsule Thompson on ebay today!
OK, maybe its the designer in me. BUT, note how the rake of the fenders match the rake of the curtains, and then its transposed into the rake of the top, which matches the rake of the windsheild. its all perfect and why this is so pleasing to the eye.And yes, the flag ple angle is the same as the top.
Very cool fenders on the trailer. Why dont we have those as well?
I think thats the wrong screw there on the badge. Please help me. I dont want to notice that stuff.
YOU CAN SEE MORE HERE ON EBAY!
This is a very cool Thompson. I actually have it in my watch list on Ebay. Would be a nice addition to someones collection. Cool skirts on the trailer.
Fenders these days are so blaaa, with a little effort, trailer Manufacturers could help dress up a rig to pop, like my little Gator trailer. Those guys back in the day had an eye for “style”.
As you can see from my T Bird license plate and trailer name, I have a theme with all my Classic toys; the word ” STYLE”. I have had several of my boats named Style.
Very neato Thompson boat and ’57 or ’58 Golden Javelin Johnson 35 HP outboard and Alloy trailer! Super nice rig! I love the “lemonade yellow” hull colour. I have that on my 1957 Thompson Sea Lancer. I have an original convertible top but it does not have side curtains or an aft cover.
These are great boats!
Andreas aka “Mr. Thompson”
Oh yes, the Phillips head screw in the middle of the metal “Thompson” name badge is NOT correct. Should be slotted.
Andreas
Nice boat, got to love those twins..
For us up here in the North, side curtains are still still made and still used. Most of the tops will have the side and rear curtains and use the same domes for a cockpit cover. You can’t beat side curtains for keeping you dry on the rainy days, and in a few weeks (I’m sad to say) they will be needed again to keep warm. Where did the Summer go?!
That “lemonade yellow” hull is my favorite color for a classic Thompson boat. Will be interesting to see if it sells and for how much.
Too bad the seller doesn’t provide more information such as “does the boat run and float” etc, which would be helpful to know.
I have been saved by my side curtains/back drop at the Algonac and St Clair boat show weekends in resent years.
We still have them. If you are serious about fishing, a little rain shouldn’t stop you, and the side curtains keep you warm and dry.
Recently completed 10 year amateur restoration of our 1956 Chris Craft 25′ Express . Love the top side curtains and back drop for staying dry and warm and for fall boating here in Michigan.
Tom,
Never got a chance in the Les Cheneaux to compliment you on your fine (very very fine) cruiser ( you were out in her all the time.) She’s a beauty and it looked like you had a great time with her while at Bob’s (Waterlawn.) I was docked next to you in the Pursuit.
Pretty sure the Golden Javelin was only made in 57. A kind of holly grail for outboard collectors.
Side curtains and aft cockpit covers came with my Roamer…packed away and look like they were never used.
My ’65 Skiff had its’ original top until early this year. It had side curtains, and an aft cover. I had the new top made to match the old one, curtains and all. They work very well for an all weather, rough water boat like these lapstrakes were commonly intended to be.
I see the odd new utility with some variation of the theme in place on our lake, where many cabins are water-access only and boats have to be usable in all weather conditions.
This Thompson looks like a very neat old survivor piece. What a great entry level boat for someone looking for a way into our hobby. The ad could have had a bit more detail but they seem honest and interested in accuracy in the description. Compare that to the greasy ad for the BB a few months back, posted by that salvage auction company.
I hope someone grabs this boat – great little classic package.
Yes Paul, that guy was a greaser. Wonder what happened to it? Decent boat,- slimy character
Attached is a picture of the original canvas and side curtains on our 1963 Thompson Super Lancer. They have come in handy many times. So much so that when we got our U22 we added them. I will post that pic next.
Since Table Rock Lake does not freeze in the winter, we run this Thompson outboard through the winter with the full canvas.
Here are the side curtains we had made for the U22.
A great looking survivor. I’ve seen a lot of Gator trailers with fenders but never one like this. I especially like the hinged door to the front seat for a third passenger.
BTW, the flag staff on that Attwood bow light should look like this one.
After seeing the Alloy trailers (made in Algonac, Michigan) and the Chris-Craft brand trailers in magazine ads I am convinced it is the same trailer with different company branding. If so, finding an Alloy trailer and rebranding it as a Chris-Craft for a kit boat is win. Thoughts?
I had a Chris Craft trailer and had the same thought. I know the CC trailers were made in Algonac.
Still use side curtains in the ANE!
Probably triple glazed
I remember a cold day in March 2014 when Al Benton and I were invited to ride in a fully enclosed Lyman on the St. Johns River cruise. We even moved the engine hatch back to provide a little extra warmth. Those side curtains sure saved the day.
my 63 Carver still has all the original canvas, camper top and polarized yellow side curtins
I am pretty sure this yellow Thompson in Iowa was listed on eBay or craigs list a year or more ago. Look at the advertisement and the seller is an auto dealer who bought it from another auto dealer. I think I had contact with the first auto dealer.
I think I will show my ’57 Sea Lancer with the twin Johnson outboards at the BSLOL chapter show 19 September 2015 at Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka, MN
Or maybe the ’52 Thompson Take-Along in the attached photo. She is in original condition. Nothing ever done to her!
I certainly use them!
I have those exact fenders on the trailer that came with my 1958 Lyman 16.5 foot outboard. I’ve seen one or two other trailers like that, but the Alloy Marine graphics are long gone. My Lyman top used to have side curtains, but they were disintegrating when I bought the boat, so I pitched them. I agree that there doesn’t seem to be much use for them. I don’t relish the idea of being out in a full- blown storm on a 16 foot boat.
My dad’s 30′ Sea Skiff had side curtains which we used in the winter on Pensacola Bay in North Florida. They kept us dry from the spray and comfortable.