Looking at getting into a boat again and was just surfing the web looking at different things. Then I decided to check out and see what I could find on Thunderbirds since I grew up camping on one, skiing behind it, diving off of it, and teaching my kids to ski behind it. This is how I found this forum.
My father purchased the boat second hand in 1969 from the original owner in Brunswick, NJ who custom ordered the boat. My father had a custom double roller trailer custom built so he could bring it home to SC. Between uses, it was stored under a shed so it is still in very good condition with original floor and motor.
I've often refer it as a Flipper Boat, but this one is has two side windows on the cabin. It also has what we believe to be a rare 289 Harmon & Moody Blueprint engine. Original it came with a Volvo-Penta 170 outdrive, but we upgraded to a 270 the last time we blew the lower gear set.
Only now that I've done some searching, do I realize how rare it is to still have the boat, much less in great running condition.
Favorite thing we love to do with the boat is go wave riding. When we hear the last of the other boats come off the lake because it is getting too rough, we know it's time to head out. Three to four feet with whitecaps is just about idea to idle into the waves as the kids sit on the bow stradding a hand rail support.
I'll try to dig some pics up next time I am at my father's house as I'm sure there is at least someone who would like to see some.
My father purchased the boat second hand in 1969 from the original owner in Brunswick, NJ who custom ordered the boat. My father had a custom double roller trailer custom built so he could bring it home to SC. Between uses, it was stored under a shed so it is still in very good condition with original floor and motor.
I've often refer it as a Flipper Boat, but this one is has two side windows on the cabin. It also has what we believe to be a rare 289 Harmon & Moody Blueprint engine. Original it came with a Volvo-Penta 170 outdrive, but we upgraded to a 270 the last time we blew the lower gear set.
Only now that I've done some searching, do I realize how rare it is to still have the boat, much less in great running condition.
Favorite thing we love to do with the boat is go wave riding. When we hear the last of the other boats come off the lake because it is getting too rough, we know it's time to head out. Three to four feet with whitecaps is just about idea to idle into the waves as the kids sit on the bow stradding a hand rail support.
I'll try to dig some pics up next time I am at my father's house as I'm sure there is at least someone who would like to see some.