A Century of Century Boats

A waterskiing platform

In the summer of 1930, Roy Pregenzer of Illinois placed a new 1930 Elto 4-60 on his Century Hurricane raceboat and achieved a world-record speed of 50.93 mph. Roy was the King of the Seas, and the Half-Century speed mark had finally been attained.

After that, lakes all over the U.S. began to see Centuries in abundance. Lakes like Tahoe in Nevada, Arrowhead in California, Okoboji in Iowa, Winni- pesaukee in New Hampshire, Wawasee in Indiana and Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, to name a few, housed some of the largest Century dealers, some of which were founded by former Century raceboat drivers of the 1930s who became loyal Thoroughbreds.

Waterskiers in the 1950s just might remember skiing behind a Century. Fred Wiley, the Century regional sales manager for the southeast U.S. region, was big in the Water Skiing Association, and he and his Century Resorter 16 were a favorite among the competitors. Wiley was known as “Mr. Boat Driver,” and a perpetual Wiley award is given annually to the best driver at USA Water Ski Championship events. Additionally, in 1954, the Resorter 16 was named the Official Tow-Boat of the National Championship and Fred placed the Resorter in Florida’s first tourist attraction, Cypress Gardens, which was founded by former Century Boat racer, Malcolm Pope, and his brother, Richard Pope Sr.

From wood to fiberglass

Throughout the Century Boat Company’s existence, the company manufactured wooden boats mostly of Philippine and later African mahogany. But by the late 1960s, the company transitioned fully to fiberglass, marking the end of its mahogany era. Fiberglass enabled more durable, lower-maintenance and more modern hull designs, and in the 1970s and 1980s, Century Boat Company produced thousands of fiberglass boats, mostly in inboard/outboard configurations. Longtime Century fans demanded inboard fiberglass speedboats as well.

Centuries were known for their large and powerful engines, namely, Chrysler, Dearborn Marine (Ford), Graymarine (Continental) and Crusader (Cadillac), all of which were generated from the Motor City, Detroit. Still today, classic Century owners face a constant challenge of keeping these power plants running, tuned and safe for operation.

When the U.S. currency exchange rate eroded in the late 1970s to early ’80s, Centuries became attractive financially overseas, particularly in Germany and Sweden. Manistee exported hundreds of boats each year, with the factory running 24/7 to keep up with the orders. Everyone in Manistee had a job, and the smell of polyester fiberglass resin permeated the factory. Wives told their husbands to leave the lunch buckets in the garage, but management called it the smell of money.

Continuing a legacy

Today, many ACBS and Century Boat Club members continue to restore, maintain and use these fiberglass boats of the 1970s and ’80s, especially the inboard models with big block V8s.

Century was already manufacturing fishing boats in Florida when Yamaha Motor Corporation acquired the company in 1995. During this time, Century produced popular walk-around fishing boats with Yamaha outboard engines. Yamaha owned the company until 2012, when it was again sold. Today, new ownership and revitalization is taking Century Boats into its next century.

When one thinks of Century Boats, they might recall the company’s rich history dating back to 1926, or they might simply recall taking a boat ride on a Century with the wind in their hair. These fond memories in a Century boat are still perhaps the best.

Regardless of how you think of a Century, remember the Welch boys, who started the boat company in Milwaukee 100 years ago this year, seeking speed in the design of a boat that could reach, perhaps, 100 mph. Those boys remain a legacy.