(owned by Robert and Georgia Ball)

My present boat is sort of in the 'field of dreams' category.  I am about to bring it out of storage and to start work this Summer (2004).  It is a:

    1955 Century Runabout, 16' "Resorter"
    Gray Marine Engine ... "Fireball 140" (140h) 6 cylinder
    "Official Boat ~ National and International Water Ski Championships" Boat (model)

Restoration complete in the summer of 2007:

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.

Proudly on display at the Club's "Guys in their Garages" Tour - Sept. 22/07

Bob & Georgia's previous boat...

1948, 18' Port Carling Seabird (sold in 2002)

Enjoying the breeze in the Century!

If you have any questions about this vessel, you can contact the webmaster (*important - remove "nospam" in address to send email) for information on how to reach the owner.