Well the Auto Pilot on the Tyee is on hold for a bit, going to look at a 1990 Thompson SF Hardtop, 10 foot beam, 305 I/O Alpha I outdrive Price seem pretty good with what is coming with it.. Anybody have any input on the Thompson Boat Line ? What to look for before I put a Surveyor in it. Also Been looking at Zinner Marine Tri-Axle trailers for this boat ( Doesn't have one) any comments on this .. Or recommendations on another brand ?
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I have not studied them real close, but they seem to generally be a lot of boat for the money. High sides, relatively heavy, good fishing platforms. any owner I have ever spoken to loved the one they had. If the price is right, have it checked out. Also not sure on the trailer, but any trailer should have good brakes on it and if its tubular steel, have the frame checked as they rust inside out. I or C beam construction is better in that respect. Make sure the bunks are adjustable to fit the hull and that is about it.
www.salmonheadcharters.com
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I own a 1986 Thompson 252 Hardtop (immediate predecessor of the 240 fisherman) that also has the 305 Merc (230 HP). It is a little underpowered with that power plant, so if the boat doesn't already have them, adding trim tabs will definitely help getting it on plane. Mine tops out at about 32 mph. It is a great boat to fish out of nice deep gunwales.
Having said that, mine also had some serious wood rot and I ended up doing a complete replacement of the floor, stringers, motor bunks and transom, so I would definitely recommend getting a survey done (I didn't).
Thompson went out of business in tha late 90's and had some serious quality issues in the years immediately preceeding the bankruptcy, but that 1990 should be before those quality issues came up, so it should boil down to how well it was taken care of by previous owners.
I know a couple of Charter guys here on Lake Ontario that are running that same boat (260 Fisherman I believe) and are very happy with them.
Keep in mind that with a 10' beam, you'll probably have to deal with oversize load permits when trailering (I believe the limit is 8.5' without oversize load permits.
a couple of pics of mine:
Tim
Salad is what FOOD eats!!
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Nice boat tbromund I'm looking for a stable fishing platform, and from what I here the thompsons are nice for that. I know I won't be breaking any speed records with it, speed is not a real big concern, as long as it get me where I'm going and back. On the permit issue, I do think here in Michigan, anything from 102 inches to 12 feet( 11' 11") a yearly permit can be had to trailer, daylight to dark, mon-fri, excluding Holidays for around $55.00. Do those Charter capt. driving Those Thompsons have a web site ? I've been trying to find some pictures of the inside of the 260, Not many around. ... Thanks for your input..
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