| LOA: | 6' | Dry Weight: | 95 lbs |
| Beam: | 2' 3" | Power: | (2) 1 hp Electric Motors |
| Draft: | 8" | Running Gear: | 4 Blade Props, SS Shafts |
| Bridge Clearance: | 4' 10" | Speed: | 14 Knots |
Origin Story:
The popular 6 foot RC fishing vessel “Thunder” has humble beginnings originating in Beach Haven, NJ. She was a scratch hull custom built in 1972 by Captain Nat Ewer. Her original hull was 3/16” plywood and she was modeled after a 36’ coast guard rescue boat. She’s seen her fair share of the east coast traveling from the Northeast, down to Key West, and eventually settling in Palm Beach, Florida. Nearly 50 years later, she has received a total refit, overhaul, and conversion to a traditional downeast-style commercial tuna fishing boat. It has been a multi-generational family endeavor with Capt. Nat’s son, Capt. Tom Ewer, leading the project along with his brother Capt. Don Ewer. The family has worked together over a three month period converting every aspect of the family heirloom into a detailed masterpiece.
See her first build video on Instagram
Deck, Hull, and Hardtop:
Thunder’s hull and decks had some soft spots after about 5 years of use and 40+ years of storage. Her bottom, hull sides, transom, and topsides were stripped and made sound again with epoxy and fiberglass cloth (both interior and exterior). Her hardtop was extended to follow the desired lines and overhang of a traditional downeast vessel. Tom elevated her finishes by custom cutting, sanding, and installing a teak transom and covering boards. She was then faired and sprayed with high build primer, and faired again before her first coat of Awlgrip Haze Gray hull paint and Matterhorn White topsides. Her bottom paint followed using a flat black Awlgrip paint. Her decks were fabricated using ⅛” x ½” teak strips and black Thiocol filler. The cabin windows were fabricated out of gray polycarbonate. All interior details (console, seating, tackle center, coolers, and engine box) were made of 1/16” plywood, epoxy coated, and awlgrip painted. All varnished surfaces were coated with 10 coats of Schooner Varnish.
Tower:
Nat constructed a ⅙ scale Tuna tower from 1/4 ”,3/8”, 7/16” aluminum tubing. The tower sports:
- Full Controls
- Sunshade
- Antennas
- LED 12 Volt Tower Spreader Lights
Running Gear and Power:
Thunder’s rudders were custom made of brass and installed with a heavy-duty steering servo and are located under the stern fish box. The fish box is removable for easy access. She wouldn’t be complete without fully functional exhaust pipes plumbed with smoke and water simulating a real exhaust system.
- 4 ¼” 4 Blade Brass Propellers
- 3/16” Stainless Steel Shafts
- Custom Motor Stringers
- (2) 1 hp Electric Motors
- 40 Amp Speed Controls
- Custom Built Shaft Logs
- LED Engine Room and Bilge Lighting
- 12V Power Supply/Regulator
- Functional Custom Marine Exhaust System with 12V Water Pump for Cooling
- Smoke Generator Plumbed into Exhaust
See Thunder's Repower Running Video
Fishing Equipment:
FV Thunder is a fully equipped fishing machine. Capt. Nat, Tom, and Don have a collective 70+ years of experience on the water with the majority of those years spent commercial and sport fishing. The RC downeast boasts two fully functional bandit reels custom built by Nat. All tackle was custom rigged by Tom using miniature hooks, swivels, clips, crimps, and artificial lures/baits. All terminal tackle was custom built as well. This was one the most unique and intricate parts of the build. It shows off the family’s heritage and fishing acumen as well as their eye for accuracy and precision.
- (2) Bandit Reels (12 Volt Operational)
- Green Stick
- Gin Pole with Block and Tackle
- Flying Gaff
- (2) Straight Gaffs
- Operational 22 cal. Bang Stick
- On Deck Drink Cooler/Bait Box with Ice
- Murray Brothers Fighting Chair
- 12/0 Fin-nor Tuna Reels on 130 Tuna Sticks
- (3) 30 lb. Spinning Rods and Reels
- Safety Lines
- Insulated Stern Fish Hold
- Under Gunwale Gaff Racks
- Rod Racks for Spinning Rods and Bait Net
- Drawer/Tackle Storage
- Knife Storage with Knives
- Cleaning Table
- “Gemlux” Screwless Rod Holders - 0°, 15°, and 30°
- Custom Bucket Harness
- Operation Raw Water Wash Down
See Thunder's Fishing Equipment on Instagram
See Thunder Swordfishing Ready on Instagram
Electronics and Navigation:
- Helm with Steering Wheel and Throttle at Console and Tower
- Gauge Package
- Operational Furuno Radar
- LED Running Lights
- LED Deck Lights
- LED Tower Lights
- Satellite TV Antenna
- Satellite Communication Antenna
- Compass
- Barometer
- Clock
- Helm seat to Starboard
- Lounge Seat with Storage to Port
See Thunder's Accessories Video on Instagram
Safety Equipment and Other Amenities:
- Gold Leaf Lettering on Teak Transom by Kauffs Signs
- Fenders/Poly Balls
- Bucket/Cleaning Supplies
- Tool Box with Jumper Cables
- First Aid Kit
- Life Jackets
- Air Horns
- Operational Spot Light, Deck Lights, and Navigation Lights
- Salt Water Wash Down Hose
- SAT Phone
- Stainless Steel Deck Hardware and Cleats
- Stainless Steel Rub Rail
- (8) 3/16” 3-Strand Dock Lines with Spliced Eyes
Trailer
Another rare custom component of the FV Thunder project was her very own fully functional triple axle aluminum trailer built by Capt. Don. She replicates a classic float on ACE Trailer - one that Don and Tom have hauled hundreds of times in their long careers in the marine industry. She can haul the downeast and launch down a boat ramp with ease via a golf cart or RC truck. All metal was custom cut, bent, and assembled with the following details:
- Guide Bars
- 12V LED Tail Lights
- Safety Chains
- Winch Stand
- 1 1/2” C Channel Aluminum Frame
- 5/16” Stainless Steel Axles
- Diamond Plate Fenders
- Aluminum Rims with Rubber Tires
- Custom 5” Aluminum Drop Hitch with 1” Ball
- Florida License Plate
See the Trailer Video on Instagram
See other Trailer Videos on Instagram
Dock:
After much thought, dedication, heart, and soul went into Thunder’s rebuild, she needed a proper place to call home. Her hailing port was fashioned with a custom dock and wet slip for her to tie up after a long day of fishing. It was constructed just like the real thing with pressure treated lumber and 3” pilings water jetted 6 ft into the canal bed. Her marina style amenities were another fun extension of the project.
- 50 Amp Power Pedestal with LED Lighting
- Fresh Water Wash Down Hoses
- Wet Spot Water Softener
- Dock Box
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Aluminum Swim Ladder
- Stainless Steel Dock Cleats
- ¼” 3 Stranded Spliced Dock Lines
- 3” Pressure Treated Pilings with Line Holders
- Weigh Station with Scale
- Live Bait Pen
See her dock build video on Instagram
See the dock details video on Instagram
The majority of Thunder’s parts and pieces are custom and handmade with countless hours of thought, planning, and fabrication. The rebuild of Thunder has been a team effort for Nat, Tom, and Don. They have devoted many hours of creative thinking and hard work - not to mention quality time spent as father and sons.
We have many more things to come. Stay tuned for updates on the FV Thunder and her conversions from tuna fishing to longline swordfishing and shark fishing/diving adventures.
You can follow along with Thunder’s complete rebuild from start to finish on Instagram or Facebook with @theCaptandTheKid.