1975 17ft Thunderbolt runabout

[Roxxanne Taylor]

This boat says Thunderbolt and came with a 1975 low profile Johnson 135 outboard motor
Is this a bass boat or racing boat and does it have a gelcoat?

 

[gonzo]

Do you have photos?

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

Do you have photos?

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

Yes

 

[kapnD]

It doesn’t even look like a bass boat, and I doubt that it’s a serious racing boat either.
Maybe “ski boat” would be a closer categorization of the subject?
I don’t know why it would matter, I’d just call it a runabout.a
Chances are it does have gelcoat, that’s pretty much an industry standard in production boatbuilding, but it could be painted over, impossible to say from the photo.
If you can find any scratches where you could see the layers of finish, you might find some answers.

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

It doesn’t even look like a bass boat, and I doubt that it’s a serious racing boat either.
Maybe “ski boat” would be a closer categorization of the subject?
I don’t know why it would matter, I’d just call it a runabout.a
Chances are it does have gelcoat, that’s pretty much an industry standard in production boatbuilding, but it could be painted over, impossible to say from the photo.
If you can find any scratches where you could see the layers of finish, you might find some answers.

Thanx KapnD. Now I have to find out if I can clean or replace the spark plugs on the motor.
Something may be messed up 'cuz there's no little metal piece out from the bottom of the plugs. It's flat. I think it broke off and could be in the motor

 

[ondarvr]

Surface gap plugs are used on some outboards, they aren't common elsewhere.

Gel coat.....yes....painted over.....maybe. The blue on the deck looks like aged gel coat, but paint can age in the same way.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Is this a bass boat or racing boat

It is not a racing boat, it is not a bass boat, but with a little reinforced casting deck on the bow, it could make a very nice bass boat.

-Will

 

[gonzo]

Thanx KapnD. Now I have to find out if I can clean or replace the spark plugs on the motor.
Something may be messed up 'cuz there's no little metal piece out from the bottom of the plugs. It's flat. I think it broke off and could be in the motor

If it is flat, that it a surface spark plug.
https://www.autozone.com/miscellane...oC9AgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&new_store_set=true

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

If it is flat, that it a surface spark plug.
https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneous-non-automotive/non-automotive-spark-plug/p/ngk-spark-plug-6431/505330_0_0?spps.s=3680&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:22350391884&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22356757832&gbraid=0AAAAADkcoVtgc2qCc7G1jryO_WE3yyqe5&gclid=CjwKCAjw_pDBBhBMEiwAmY02NvT50256Ot4YXsAjjepS6Jr8wcVQ-zn4r1SDinUce39iDOp3oduTDhoC9AgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&new_store_set=true

Ty Gonzo... I'm learning

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

It is not a racing boat, it is not a bass boat, but with a little reinforced casting deck on the bow, it could make a very nice bass boat.

-Will

I was thinking the same thing. Seems like a great use of space. tyvm

 

[Roxxanne Taylor]

Surface gap plugs are used on some outboards, they aren't common elsewhere.

Gel coat.....yes....painted over.....maybe. The blue on the deck looks like aged gel coat, but paint can age in the same way.