In December, 2002, Guy and Ann Hoppen gave a very special sailboat to the Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society -- Thunderbird Hull No. 1.
The Thunderbird was the result of a design competition sponsored by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association which called for design of a new sailboat which could sleep four, sail competitively, and, of course, be built entirely of plywood. The Thunderbird's winning design was the brainchild of Seattle naval architect Ben Seaborn and local boatbuilder Ed Hoppen (Guy's father), who owned Eddon Boat Company. This special sailboat was launched in November, 1958.
Thunderbird Hull No. 1 has been restored by a team of museum volunteers and is now on display in the Jim and Carolyn Milgard Maritime Gallery at the Museum. In addition to caring for Thunderbird #1, the Museum is the repository for the International Thunderbird Class Association's archives and many other T-Bird related artifacts and archival documents.
For information on the International Thunderbird Class Association visit: www.thunderbirdsailing.org
For Thunderbird Fleet 1 information, visit:
www.harbornet.com/folks/josberger/fleet-1.htm
The night before the launch of Thunderbird Hull No. 1 at Eddon Boat Company, Gig Harbor, November 1958
Photo by Harbine Monroe
Ed Hoppen onboard Hull No. 1 after launch on Gig Harbor, November 1958
Photos courtesy of APA/Engineered Wood Association