Ray Maule took me for a two-hour cruise in his new-to-him but decades-old wooden boat, a 1960 Thompson. Other than getting too much sun and rebuke from our wives for acting like teenagers, we really enjoyed our excursion. Two fellas having a blast on the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers was perhaps the best way to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Our local waterways are exciting and diverse, with enough to see and experience to make such a boat ride or cruise interesting. Homes, estates, wildlife, a wide variety of watercraft from workboats to cruisers, and some great natural waterfront entertained us. Fortunately Ray knows well this part of the Chesapeake Bay, since it is his home port, and added great commentary and insights along the way.
This cruise was an afternoon event during the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) boat festival in St. Michaels. Departing from the docks of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM), it was an organized cruise up and down the Miles River, made even more enjoyable in the presence of friends who share our enthusiasm for enjoying Maryland’s waterways in a great collection of woodies and classic fiberglass boats.
Why this old boat? For starters, wooden boats ride differently than fiberglass. Secondly, picking up old boats can be a cost-effective way to go boating.
Ray’s boat had been donated to CBMM in the past. The museum later put it up for auction. A neighbor of Ray’s, Ron Fortucci, bought it and did a complete restoration on the boat. Ray then bought it from him when Ron had to move.
The boat’s entire structure, metal, paint, and varnish were brought back to “like-new” condition. She looked like a boat that was ready for many more years of Bay riding! Ray thanks and gives full credit to Ron for the excellent condition of the boat. Once I heard the story and saw the boat, I shared Ray’s praise for the attention to all the details and craftsmanship that Ron put into restoring this Thompson.
By 1962 Chris-Craft had acquired the Thompson Boat Company of New York. They named their fiberglass models Corsair, which was C-C’s thrust for its Cortland, NY, boat factory. Some lapstrake wood boats labeled Thompson were made there until 1965.
Once we boarded Ray’s 18-foot lapstrake Thompson at CBMM, we idled out past the no wake zone, and she came up on plane smartly. The engine’s horsepower and torque were a good match for this woodie. The engine was quiet and smooth, while giving peppy performance. She travelled at a comfortable cruising speed, yet clearly had more to give when these two “boys” needed extra speed.
Ray chose a new engine for this boat primarily for its reliability, easy starting, warranty, and an environmentally friendly exhaust. He selected an engine that is apparently 91 percent cleaner than a 60s-era outboard based on a Boating Magazine feature.
Most “reborn” classic outboard boats are powered by a replacement outboard… in other words, not powered by the engine originally used on the boat. Back in the 1960s, a local dealer would pair the boats that he stocked with the brand of outboard motor he sold and then added a trailer to each package. The dealer sourced each of these three components from a different manufacturer. He made up his “B-M-T” (boat-motor-trailer) units and sold them to his customers.
So would a 50-horsepower engine work here? Or would Ray need to step up and spend approximately $4000 additional dollars to get a 60-hp engine? Ray chose the 50-hp model, avoided the additional expense, and still had a boat on the Bay that ran like a champ. While cost can be an issue with old boats, performance trumps it on the water.
Ray is “good people.” He is involved within the town of St Michaels, volunteering for several causes where he adds value. He is also someone who always has a positive attitude, a quick smile, and warm hello. And he gets things done.
This is a beautifully restored, inexpensive wood boat that runs well on the Bay. I had the privilege of enjoying it with my good friend.
by Chris "Seabuddy" Brown
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 - 09:46
Ray Maule took me for a two-hour cruise in his new-to-him but decades-old wooden boat, a 1960 Thompson. Other than getting too much sun and rebuke from our wives for acting like teenagers, we really enjoyed our excursion. Two fellas having a blast on the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers was perhaps the best way to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Our local waterways are exciting and diverse, with enough to see and experience to make such a boat ride or cruise interesting. Homes, estates, wildlife, a wide variety of watercraft from workboats to cruisers, and some great natural waterfront entertained us. Fortunately Ray knows well this part of the Chesapeake Bay, since it is his home port, and added great commentary and insights along the way.
This cruise was an afternoon event during the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) boat festival in St. Michaels. Departing from the docks of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM), it was an organized cruise up and down the Miles River, made even more enjoyable in the presence of friends who share our enthusiasm for enjoying Maryland’s waterways in a great collection of woodies and classic fiberglass boats.
Why this old boat? For starters, wooden boats ride differently than fiberglass. Secondly, picking up old boats can be a cost-effective way to go boating.
Ray’s boat had been donated to CBMM in the past. The museum later put it up for auction. A neighbor of Ray’s, Ron Fortucci, bought it and did a complete restoration on the boat. Ray then bought it from him when Ron had to move.
The boat’s entire structure, metal, paint, and varnish were brought back to “like-new” condition. She looked like a boat that was ready for many more years of Bay riding! Ray thanks and gives full credit to Ron for the excellent condition of the boat. Once I heard the story and saw the boat, I shared Ray’s praise for the attention to all the details and craftsmanship that Ron put into restoring this Thompson.
By 1962 Chris-Craft had acquired the Thompson Boat Company of New York. They named their fiberglass models Corsair, which was C-C’s thrust for its Cortland, NY, boat factory. Some lapstrake wood boats labeled Thompson were made there until 1965.
Once we boarded Ray’s 18-foot lapstrake Thompson at CBMM, we idled out past the no wake zone, and she came up on plane smartly. The engine’s horsepower and torque were a good match for this woodie. The engine was quiet and smooth, while giving peppy performance. She travelled at a comfortable cruising speed, yet clearly had more to give when these two “boys” needed extra speed.
Ray chose a new engine for this boat primarily for its reliability, easy starting, warranty, and an environmentally friendly exhaust. He selected an engine that is apparently 91 percent cleaner than a 60s-era outboard based on a Boating Magazine feature.
Most “reborn” classic outboard boats are powered by a replacement outboard… in other words, not powered by the engine originally used on the boat. Back in the 1960s, a local dealer would pair the boats that he stocked with the brand of outboard motor he sold and then added a trailer to each package. The dealer sourced each of these three components from a different manufacturer. He made up his “B-M-T” (boat-motor-trailer) units and sold them to his customers.
So would a 50-horsepower engine work here? Or would Ray need to step up and spend approximately $4000 additional dollars to get a 60-hp engine? Ray chose the 50-hp model, avoided the additional expense, and still had a boat on the Bay that ran like a champ. While cost can be an issue with old boats, performance trumps it on the water.
Ray is “good people.” He is involved within the town of St Michaels, volunteering for several causes where he adds value. He is also someone who always has a positive attitude, a quick smile, and warm hello. And he gets things done.
This is a beautifully restored, inexpensive wood boat that runs well on the Bay. I had the privilege of enjoying it with my good friend.
by Chris "Seabuddy" Brown