a 45-46 guide boat

You inherited your uncle's Thompson and now you want to know more about it.

Moderators: a j r, TDockside, Miles, Moderators

Post Reply
Thomas Mackin
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:27 am
Location: Eagle River,Wi

a 45-46 guide boat

Post by Thomas Mackin »

Just bought a 45-46 Thompson guide boat. It has been in the garage for over 30 years up in Mercer ,Wi. There was no seriel number or tag but the owner had the original bill of sale from his uncle in 1946. Purchased in the Minocqua Woodruff area. It is 14' cedar strip with the canvas overlay. The trailer is a little Tee Nee which is really neat!! There used to be a field in Boulder Junction of these boats in the 60's but they were given to the HS for a homecoming bonfire. What a loss. To me this seems like a rare boat and a great little rowtroller for Musky. Anyone have one or restored one?
Big Mac
Phill Blank
Posts: 412
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:20 pm
Location: Hurley, Wisconsin

Post by Phill Blank »

Tom,

Who did you buy it from in Mercer?
The reason I ask is I grew up in Mercer and I just might know the person you bought it from.
I lived there from the spring of 1947 through 1965. I graduated from Mercer High School in 1963. Worked for the Wis. DNR the summer of 1964 then moved to Milwaukee the spring of 1965.

Thanks,

Phill
Image
fshntime
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:13 pm
Location: Saint Germain, Wi.

Re: a 45-46 guide boat

Post by fshntime »

Thomas Mackin wrote:Just bought a 45-46 Thompson guide boat. It has been in the garage for over 30 years up in Mercer ,Wi. There was no seriel number or tag but the owner had the original bill of sale from his uncle in 1946. Purchased in the Minocqua Woodruff area. It is 14' cedar strip with the canvas overlay. The trailer is a little Tee Nee which is really neat!! There used to be a field in Boulder Junction of these boats in the 60's but they were given to the HS for a homecoming bonfire. What a loss. To me this seems like a rare boat and a great little rowtroller for Musky. Anyone have one or restored one?
Tom,
probably a great find. I live in St. Germain and restored a 12' and 13'6" Thompson from the late 30's. Both were purchased at the Minocqua Thompson outlet store which is now B.J.'s sport Shop on the lake. Post some pictures! I'd love to see it. My boats row like a dream and are super quiet in the water. Thanks for sharing.
Fshntime
Thompson Wooden Row Boater
Horace G. Benbow
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:03 am

Re: a 45-46 guide boat

Post by Horace G. Benbow »

Thomas Mackin wrote: Anyone have one or restored one?
My baby is a circa 1940 Thompson Bros. 15' Resort Model Rowboat which many have been described as being a 'guide boat'. I live in Wausau, WI and purchased the boat in 2003 from Russ Ryden of St. Germain, WI. Russ purchased the boat in 2000 from Bob Richter of Boulder Junction, WI. Bob lived south of town on the east shore of Trout Lake. Bob had the boat restored in 1996 by Dave Schnell of Dave's Boat Works in Boulder Jct.
Here's a link containing a pic of my boat (pic taken on Big St. Germain) as well as a page from a 1940 Thompson Bros. sales brochure identifying the model. Although the boat is a pleasure to row, it's even better pushed by the little 4hp 4-stroke Yamaha. :wink:
http://www.thompsondockside.com/phpBB3/ ... f=5&t=4187
Post Reply