New to me (very old) boat 1955 Century Resorter

Jeff206 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1002

Thought you guys might appreciate this. Just snapped up a 1955 Century Resorter ski boat. Got what I think is a pretty screamin deal. The boat has been garaged since the 80's and hasn't touched water during that time. The motor isn't currently running but has decent compression and turns over. I'll most likely be pulling the motor to rebuild, so probably won't get it in the water this Summer with my current schedule. Wood is in great shape. No rot to be found. Solid mahogany planking.

Was sent a link to a craigslist post by a friend, wasn't really in the market but couldn't pass this up. I think it's had two previous owners. The original also owned a resort by my family's cabin on Priest Lake, so it's possible my dad and aunt saw this boat cruising around the lake growing up.

Here's some pics:

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Wow, that is unbelievably cool. Jealous isn't a strong enough word.

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

That thing is awesome!

jgriffith · Posted: May 10, 2013 3:22 am Post subject:

Nice boat!

goofyboy · Posted: May 10, 2013 3:43 am Post subject:

that's awesome.

mcdye · Newbie Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 32 City: Central, AR

WOW... great find..

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

WOW....beautiful!!! Nice find & great purchase.

nmballa · Posted: May 10, 2013 5:29 am Post subject:

Very cool. Make sure you saturate the wood with water before you try to drop her in. If its sat for more than a year or two out of the water the seams are open. Get a hose and run it into the bilge till if stops pouring water from below. If you have any questions on the restore feel free to PM. I used to build similar boats.

jjaszkow · Posted: May 10, 2013 5:33 am Post subject:

Beautiful boat! I love the look of these. IMO there's no prettier boat than a '50's wooden powerboat.

STPHNSN23 · Guest

how's the wake?

Partyb · Posted: May 10, 2013 5:56 am Post subject:

LOVE it

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Beautiful!

Swass · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 427

Uber cool.

eich82 · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 860 City: MTP

Gonna put a tower on that thing?

jgriffith · Posted: May 10, 2013 9:03 am Post subject:

dibs if you decide to sell it...unless you put a tower on that thing

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

eich82, if he puts a tower on that I am going to drive/fly to Seattle and kick him in the balls.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

saweeet! very awesome!

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Love wood boats. Congrats.

Jeff206 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1002

Thanks fellas. I'm pretty stoked. I'll try to throw up some updates as I progress through stuff.

nmballa, good to know, would not have thought of that. I'll probably be hitting you up.

tball · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 3953

No tower? Meh. Might be ok if you sack it out.

Chad H · Posted: May 11, 2013 11:50 am Post subject:

I hear the week is pretty flat on those. Should've gotten an x-star

kartman · Posted: May 14, 2013 4:35 am Post subject:

very nice find.

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

Engine specs?? Appears to be an inline 5.

eeven73 · Posted: May 14, 2013 6:57 am Post subject:

Whatever you do please, please, please do NOT put a tower on it.

Beautiful!!!!!

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

eeven73, we can fly/drive up together and give him a joint kick to the groin if he does. Carpool! Laughing

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

is this not some kind of tower set up here?

ohsix · Posted: May 14, 2013 10:35 am Post subject:

Looks like the 1950's equivalent of a slalom pylon. I'm guessing you would have to remove the flagpole/anchor light to use and that's as high as it goes.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7487

that is very nice

Jeff206 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1002

ohsix, that's correct, I've been told it's a period correct slalom pylon. I think the guy I bought it from said it may have been an aftermarket add-on, albeit from the 1950's. I'm told it's a nice piece and worth keeping with the boat. Hoping to make a few passes on the course eventually...

Engine is an inline 6 flathead (one spark plug is hidden in that picture). It's rated at 135 hp from the factory, don't have torque specs but I expect it puts out a decent amount. I've never work on a flathead, but looking forward to it.

So you're all saying I should cancel my order for the Illusion X tower I was planning to install? Laughing

STPHNSN23 · Guest

ohsix · Posted: May 15, 2013 5:07 am Post subject:

Chad H · Posted: May 15, 2013 7:39 am Post subject:

Jeff206,
Illusion x is totally out now. You gotta have something more tacky than that.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

I have some old Maherajah's that were my parents in the 70's...

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

Jeff206 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1002

Too many projects, finally getting back to this one. Pulled the motor yesterday here's a time lapse of it.

https://vimeo.com/112981872

Not sure how to embed a vimeo video...