Join us for an exciting afternoon of celebration and tradition as Harbor History Museum proudly relaunches their beautifully restored Thunderbird No. 1 at Gig Harbor BoatShop.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday August 26th

Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Rechristening and launch occur at 3:20 PM.

Location: Gig Harbor BoatShop (map)

What to Expect:

• Presentations: Join us before and after the 3:20 PM launch for these interesting presentations!

  • THUNDERBIRD SAILBOAT #1, #2, #3, 1958 & 1959 MEMORIES. From an eyewitness and son of Thunderbird builder Ed Hoppen

    Mark Hoppen - Presenter

    Two sessions - 2:30 PM & 3:45 PM (before and after launch)

    Mark was there in 1957 when Ben Seaborn came to Eddon Boat Company to brainstorm ideas with Mark’s father Ed regarding the Douglas Fir Plywood Association’s design challenge. That collaboration resulted in the venerable Thunderbird sailboat. Mark Hoppen was born and raised at the Eddon Boatyard. He will share his Thunderbird memories and anecdotes from the insider’s perch. Mark watched the first Thunderbirds being built, cruised aboard #2, Pirouette, and learned keelboat sailing aboard the early T-bird’s.

  • RESTORATION OF THUNDERBIRD NO. 1 - SHOW AND TELL FROM THE DOCK

    Riley Hall - Presenter

    3:45 PM (after launch)

    Get a close up look at Thunderbird No. 1 from the dock following the launch. See the restoration and learn from the person that led the effort, Harbor History Museum’s master shipwright Riley Hall.

  • THE THUNDERBIRD! - DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

    2:00 PM & 4:30

    Join us for a screening of a documentary short film all about Thunderbirds. Screening courtesy of the film’s creator, Eric Lindhal.

  • Unfortunately the presentation by Steve Helgeson had to be cancelled.

    WHAT WERE BEN & ED THINKING? Conical Development and Building a Boat with Plywood

    Steve Helgeson - Presenter

    Two sessions- 2:15 PM & 3:45 PM (before and after launch)

    We know that Naval Architect Ben Seaborn and Boatbuilder Ed Hoppen developed the Thunderbird sailboat in a non-traditional way - building plans not created until after the second and third Thunderbird’s were finished, the hulls being built upside down, balsa wood models being crafted previous to lofting - to name a handful of unusual and out of sequence development methods.

    Steve Helgeson, the last shipwright hired by Ed Hoppen at Eddon Boat Company, childhood friend of Seaborn’s nephew, and Thunderbird owner will offer likely answers informed by facts that we know and how conical development and the limits of plywood as a boatbuilding material led Ben and Ed down their unusual Thunderbird development path.

• Beer and Wine: Enjoy a selection of beer and wine on the deck of the Eddon Boatyard House and toast to Thunderbird No. 1’s triumphant return to the waters of Gig Harbor. 21+ ONLY ON DECK. Non-alcoholic beverages and popcorn also available on the pier/dock.

• Join Us in Tradition: Gather your friends and family as we come together to celebrate the re-launch of the Thunderbird sailboat that started it all. It's more than an event – it's a celebration of our maritime heritage, a revival of tradition, and a testament to the unwavering spirit of this special boat.