"Joss" 1955 16 ft. Century ResorterMy present boat is sort of in the 'field of dreams' category. I brought it out of storage and started work in the summer of 2004. It is a:
1955 Century Runabout 16 ft. "Resorter"
Gray Marine Engine ... "Fireball 140" (140h) 6 cylinder
"Official Boat ~ National and International Water Ski Championships" Boat (model)
When "JOSS" was purchased in 1990, it had been "restored" in a customized sort of way. A deck had replaced the motor box, and some structural repairs in the framing had been inadequately done, which left the structure weak and vulnerable. Upholstery and the bottom were finished in a light blue ... and a curved plastic windscreen had replaced the original glass. The wood finish was a uniform walnut colour, and not in keeping with the Century style.
Fortunately, I had a coloured sales flyer from 1955 and was aware what this Century Resorter "Ski Boat" should look like, and after she was resting in storage for a few years, I began the restoration in my cottage garage four summers ago.
Repairs included two partial sections of bottom planking, new gunwales, a section of the stem, re-inforcing the structural framing, designing and building the motor box, restoring the original colour scheme ( bronze bottom, red/white unholstery), glass windscreen, and two-tone varnish finish.
"JOSS" is powered by its original flat six GrayMarine Fireball 140 engine, and in 1955 was the boat of choice for International Waterski Championships, and 'rememberd' by some who skied behind her at the CNE water shows. She was re-launched on August 16, 2007 at Twelve Mile Lake, Minden.
At the Association's 2007 Guys in Their Garages Tour - descriptive sign and board of restoration photos
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At the Association's 2007 Guys in Their Garages Tour - restored boat on display
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"Joss" at the Tay Canal (Perth, Ont.) 175th Anniversary celebrations - June 2009
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Enjoying the breeze in the Century!
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My granddaughter and I racing against her mother and grndmother in the ski boat.
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