21FT Thompson

[Bob Gato]

Pop's second boat...A Rare 21 ft Thompson lap strake boat with a 75hp Johnson Seahorse motor...Bluefish, codfish, tuna, fluke, blackfish and treading clams at Squaw Island. Easy to beach, easy to drive, easy on gas- I attempted to build one only there are no plans and only a few 66 year old slide pictures.

[Bob Gato]

Since there are no real bulkheads to stiffen the hull (and nowhere to hide the RC equipment) everything will be visible inside and out -

I decided on using a fiberglass plank in place of the 1st plywood garboard plank that Thompson used to keep the hull ridged. The ribs are CA tack glued to the Masonite formers down in the datum area and notched into the building board for easy removal after planking.

[Bob Gato]

I am using spiled basswood planks epoxied to each other and onto basswood ammonia bent ribs -very similar to the 1:1 method.

Surprisingly the planked hull was way stronger then I had expected!

[Bob Gato]

The last (Whiskey) Plank has been secured. " Here's to successfully closing up the hull" as customary at this point- a sip of whiskey and a drop down the length of the stem. Thanks to all who cheered me on-one of my most challenging and complex scratch built hulls yet!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

True Craftsmanship on display here. Much to learn from this guy!

Bob: a 'coffee table' type book chronicling your many wonderful scratch-built projects would be a delight to buy and read. Your work is on the same level as Wingrove, Foran, Crabtree, and Coker. The world needs to see, study, and enjoy your work in that format.