Creating quality custom boats
since 1985
Oquawka Boats started in 1985 in a garage, with a bet. Delbert Thompson Sr. and his daughter-in-law worked day and night to design and complete the building of a boat. Once, the boat was completed the gentleman that made the bet paid up. This took place years ago and the boat is still in use today. This sparked the inspiration of the business we have today, Oquawka Boats. Mother and son help continue the family tradition of Oquawka Boats. We are located in a small town, next to the Mississippi River, in Illinois. We believe in American tradition and family values, and this shows in our business and boats. Our employees are made up of family and friends. We go the extra mile for our customers.
President
Carmen Thompson
From Detroit, MI, one visit and Carmen fell in love with Oquawka, IL. Carmen was studying to be a nurse when she realized her father in law needed her help to see the dream of Oquawka Boats succeed. Carmen helped develop Oquawka Boats in 1992, she brings a warm smile and thirty plus years of boating business to all her customers. Carmen is a hands on type president, she sees every boat from start to finish. " Every single boat that we manufacture is important to me." She takes pride in her family built business, just as she takes pride in being a mother and grandmother. She has watched her company grow from five boats a year to more than five boats a month. Carmen is both proud of her family and her business.
Vice President/Welder/Fabrication shop manager
Delbert Thompson III
Delbert's grandfather designed and created the first Oquawka Boat. Delbert was hired in 1997 to weld. He started welding with his dad when he was 8 years old. Delbert's core values, coming from his father, every boat is to be unsinkable and have the best welds. It is important for each boat to be safe, dependable, and appealing to the eye. Delbert is a certified CCE Level II ASNT Welder, he can weld aluminum and steel mig or tig. He is also a fabricator and runs the shop floor. He said, "One of my favorite projects to work on was T-Mack. We created the boats that help clean up the BP's oil spill in 2010. The rushing around, late nights, and completing boats to help the environment. It was satisfying to know that I contributed to the clean up of the earth."