Thompson Lake Utility

 

Thompson Bros. produced a Lake model row - outboard from 1915 - 1953. Their catalogs indicate that this boat was available only in clinker construction until 1923, when a carvel compressed seam model was first offered. The boat shown here is 16 ft in length, carvel planked, and has the distinctive "L" shaped rear seat which appeared in catalogs through 1935. Legend has it that this boat was used by a "bootlegger" on one of the Adirondack lakes during prohibition, which may explain the addition of the long front deck.

The boat also contains spray rails, which were introduced by Thompson in the latter 1920s. These features suggest that this boat was built in the late 1920s or early 1930s. The following page from Thompson's 1928 catalog contains additional details about this model.


Thompson 1928 catalog