Another project complete' '84 Century Resorter

[wings&wheels]

After the BMW, finishing this was my priority for last Spring, but many issues got in the way. Updating a previous post, she is a fiberglass inboard, powered by a Merc MIE 260. I wanted a fun, fast boat w/ classic lines, but aren't at the point in life where I will dedicate the time to a full wooden boat.

Overkill's Apollo thread got me re-motivated...Thanks!

Finally completed the refurb/light resto. This boat had sat for a long time out of the water and needed a lot of little things; gauges, wipers, etc. repaired before we splashed her at the very end of last year. The few weeks' running then showed a few more issues; delaminated exhaust hoses, topside leaks, bodged thermostat installation (darn PO's mechanic). I addressed all the above plus resealed the rub rail/repaired most of the attachments, all new bilge, exhaust and cooling hoses (exhaust hoses=major PITA), new raw water pump, plugs/cap/wires, filled in some hull nicks, repacked the shaft and rudder ports and had her propeller refurbished. Cosmetically, I finished the interior, keeping as much of the original material as possible, found the correct period bow light (converted it to LED) and a period steering wheel.

Finally got her in mid August. I will have to reseal the rudder port this Winter, but otherwise she runs and sounds great. Nothing like a V8 through water exhausts. I will post a video at some point.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Really sweet! Nice work by you. By the headline I thought it was about a Buick.

 

[wings&wheels]

Really sweet! Nice work by you. By the headline I thought it was about a Buick.

...which would also be a fun project! Another classic cruiser.

 

[ka9mnx]

Beautiful. I'm jealous!

 

[OVERKILL]

Amazing work! She looks great!

 

[RTexasF]

Beyond gorgeous!

 

[RTexasF]

Although my past includes decades in the marine industry selling powerboats I have never driven (or even sat in) a single screw inboard. How difficult are they to maneuver in reverse opposite the rotation of the prop?

 

[AutoMechanic]

Awesome. I’ve never restored a boat my dads friend lives at the lake and has 3 abandoned boats with trees growing through them lol I want to restore one of those but he won’t part with any of them.

 

[wings&wheels]

Although my past includes decades in the marine industry selling powerboats I have never driven (or even sat in) a single screw inboard. How difficult are they to maneuver in reverse opposite the rotation of the prop?

Notice she is tied up to the left?

Some background. So we are relatively new to boating, ~4 years. Our other boat is a bowrider i/o; a wonderful appliance w/ no character. I wanted a restore a classic inboard, hence the Century. Short story is I learned to drive an inboard and i/o concurrently.

Outside of situations where you need to reverse, I enjoy driving the inboard hands down. Docking the Century is a breeze using slight corrections of the wheel timed with short bursts of power and the Velvet Drive make is easy; flicks of your wrist between f-n-r. I do find that the Century is more susceptible to overcontrolling than the Chaparral. W/ light wind, I aim for an almost stop ~20ft off the dock at a shallow angle, then a slight burst of forward then reverse when just off the dock swings the stern parallel. Really windy, I use whatever power and inputs I need to the same spot.

In practice I try and avoid situations where I have to reverse anywhere but left and collapsible oars are handy for fending off docks, etc. Though, with enough space, you can get the inboard to pivot, but it is a bit tricky at first. For example, we have a narrow canal w/ limited sight lines to get to the main lake, w/ the inboard I swing very wide on entry so I can see the whole canal before I enter and I have enough room to sit or do tight 360's until the canal is clear.

Hope this helps, but a reminder that I am still a boating novice. I will gladly defer to Overkill or others who have probably forgotten more than I know about boats....

 

[wings&wheels]

Awesome. I’ve never restored a boat my dads friend lives at the lake and has 3 abandoned boats with trees growing through them lol I want to restore one of those but he won’t part with any of them.

Older fiberglass inboards are a great beginner projects and can be had for short $$; Century, Naitique (even if you aren't a skiier). Outboards are also good. I am really not a fan of i/o's as a project, working on most i/o's, the access is usually painful..figuratively and literally.

 

[wpod]

Nice job !!! Better than new I'll bet.

 

[DriveHard]

Pretty!