Thirty-four vintage watercraft were displayed June 27 at the Thompson Antique and Classic Boat Rally at Nestegg Marine, 300 Wells St., Marinette, on the banks of the Menominee River.
Two Chesapeake Light Craft rowing skiffs, newly built by the local Wishigan Team Rowing Club, also were shown.
People from the United States and Canada participated in the rally. Chick Drumm, of Lakewood, Ohio, traveled the farthest with a boat. He brought his 1963 Thompson Super Lancer Deluxe.
There were 20 boats made by Thompson, eight by Cruisers of Oconto, three by T & T Boats of Wausaukee, and five from various builders, including one by Yar-Craft of Menominee, Michigan.
The event celebrates the marine endeavors of Thompson Boat and all its related spin-offs. Thompson began building boats in 1904 at Peshtigo and grew to become the largest maker of outboard powered boats in the world.
Denny McPherson, of Indianapolis, Indiana, had his freshly restored 1966 Thompson 24-foot Sea Lane Cabin Cruiser on display. She is powered by GM V-8 engine. This was the largest boat made at the Peshtigo operation during that time period. The boat is equipped with sleeping bunks and a dinette.
Compare this large boat to the small TVT Super Deluxe Runabout brought by Phillip Blank, of Hurley. At less than 14-foot length, the small, open runabout is dwarfed by the larger cabin boat. Blank has attended all past rally events.
Wooden boats and canoes, as well as classic vessels made of fiberglass, were displayed both in the water and on land. An informal swap meet took place throughout the weekend. Seven classic wooden boats went on an in-water boat parade in the afternoon. There was time to share restoration stories with others and to go for boat rides.
A number of former workers of Thompson Boat and Cruisers Inc. stopped to look at their handiwork from decades past.
Organizer Andreas Jordahl Rhude said he was pleased with the turnout and the hundreds of spectators who came by to look at the old boats.
