Explore our incredible journey through time as we get ready to celebrate 100 years as an American Icon.
Century Boats began in Milwaukee, WI in 1926 when brothers James and William Welch set out to build fast, affordable racing runabouts for everyday Americans.
The first boat manufactured by the Welch brothers under the flag of the Century Boat Company was the 14-foot Kid.
Successful as a racer, the Kid also included a seat for two ahead of the driver, providing thrilling rides of up to 35 miles per hour for three. Mystic Seaport, Rosenfeld Collection, Mystic, Connecticut
Designed as a fast, affordable outboard hydroplane, the Kid quickly proved itself on the race circuit. In the 1927 season alone, Kid owners won 26 first-place trophies in 30 races, including victories at the prestigious Harmsworth Races in Detroit.
Shortly after the Kid came two additional early models:
The Cyclone (pure racing hydroplane)
The Traveler (a family-oriented 17' runabout)
The Cyclone immediately became one of the most successful outboard racers of its era. By 1928, Cyclone drivers were setting and breaking records nationwide.
Racing success drove huge demand. With over $130,000 of orders booked for 1929, Century relocated from Milwaukee to a larger waterfront factory in Manistee, Michigan, allowing faster production and unlimited waters for testing.
Very soon after the Cyclone’s overwhelming success, Century expanded its racer lineup with class-specific hulls. By 1930, Century offered three separate racing models, each sized for a different engine class:
-Midget – A Class
-Cyclone – B & C Classes
-Hurricane – D & E Classes (and Unlimited)
The 1930 Hurricane was created with a redesigned bottom by John L. Hacker.
The Hurricane quickly proved itself in the most powerful racing categories, contributing to Century’s 11 national records in 1930 and affirming the company’s leadership in competitive racing design.
Century launched its first inboard line, the Sea Maids, designed in collaboration with the famed Hacker family of naval designers. This bold move expanded Century beyond racers into premium runabout territory.
Century unveiled the Thunderbolt, an advanced 14' inboard racer with the patented Air Cushion bottom. That same year, Century boats:
-Made or broke 19 speed records
-Won 588 recorded races
-Dominated national championships in multiple divisions
-The Thunderbolt set a New York-to-Albany speed record, averaging 41.76 mph.
Century introduced an ambitious 19-model lineup, including new racers like the Century 125 and 225, plus redesigned outboards featuring the Air Cushion bottom. However, the worsening Depression caused racing sales to collapse, ultimately forcing the company into bankruptcy by September 1932.
Economic conditions finally showed improvement, allowing Century to expand its offerings with a new 18-foot hull available in both runabout and utility versions. The Sea Maid 90 and 95 debuted stronger engines, and Century reintroduced a more robust 16-foot utility to appeal to recovering buyers.
Century launched the successful Sea Maid 52-53-54 Series, offering impressive horsepower options up to the 165-hp Gray Fireball, capable of speeds near 50 mph. The company also entered the small-sailboat market with its class-legal Snipe, adhering to strict one-design racing rules.
New double-cockpit 18-foot models like the Sea Maid 92 and 93 elevated Century’s reputation for stylish performance. Deluxe utility models added upgraded hardware, seating, and finish options for buyers seeking premium features.
Century turned its focus more fully toward inboards, offering nine inboard models as racing outboards declined. The Thunderbolt received a major redesign, transforming into a sleek sport runabout capable of 50 mph with a 140-hp engine.
Century introduced 31 models—the largest lineup it would ever produce—including refined triple-cockpit runabouts and the versatile new Sportsman Series. Rugged Sport Utilities and sedans demonstrated the company’s increasing focus on all-weather, all-purpose boating.
Century embraced modern aesthetics with wraparound Plexiglas windshields, teardrop lines, and streamlined hardware. New interior color choices and the introduction of round-chine hulls elevated both style and on-water performance.
Century rebuilt its entire inboard fleet with three all-new hulls—15'4", 17', and 19'3"—featuring stronger frame structures and improved performance. As wartime demands increased, Century produced 1942 pleasure boats until materials ran out, then transitioned fully to military craft.
From 1942-1945, Century shifted almost entirely to wartime production, building thousands of storm boats, assault craft, and military support vessels for the U.S. and Allied forces.
Century returned to civilian production stronger than ever, launching refreshed Sea Maids, triple-cockpit runabouts, and utility boats to meet booming postwar demand. Pictured is the 1947 Sea Maid 19.
The 1950s marked the rise of Century’s most iconic wooden runabouts, including the Resorter and other polished mahogany models that would define the decade. These boats became symbols of American leisure, family adventure, and timeless styling on lakes and coastlines nationwide.
Mid-decade, Century introduced what would become its most famous luxury model: the Coronado, instantly recognizable for its long lines, forward-slanted windshield, and upscale finishes. The Coronado quickly became a status symbol at resorts, marinas, and ski shows across America.
In 1961 Century continued refining the Coronado and Resorter lines with upgraded interior materials, cleaner deck treatments, and enhanced visual details. These refinements elevated comfort and appearance, moving Century further into premium boating territory.
Elvis debuted his powder-blue speedboat at McKellar Lake, slipping behind the wheel with quiet confidence as photographers captured the King enjoying one of his favorite thrills—fast machines and freedom on the water.
Century entered the 1960s with bold refinements to its flagship models, introducing updated styling, improved interiors, and more powerful engine selections—setting the tone for a decade of modernization and performance-focused evolution. Pictured is the 1962 Clipper.
The 1962 lineup saw a major jump in available horsepower with new Chrysler 260-, 280-, and 300-hp engines, along with high-output Interceptor options. The year also introduced new styling touches—like updated bow hardware, interior revisions, and expanded accessory offerings—making 1962 one of the most powerful and feature-rich years of the wooden Coronado. Pictured is the 1963 Coronado.
Century’s Eldorado name was intentionally crafted to evoke the luxury and prestige of its flagship Coronado—mirroring the “Cadillac of Boats” image the company sought to project. Although not a separate production model, the Eldorado identity symbolized Century’s bold movement toward upscale styling, chrome-rich hardware, and V-8 performance during the mid-1960s.
Throughout the mid-1960s, Century models continued receiving upgraded components, stronger engine choices, and evolving design cues that signaled the industry-wide shift from traditional all-wood construction toward emerging modern materials. Yet even as fiberglass technology advanced, wood remained the trusted foundation of Century’s craftsmanship—serving as the structural core of its iconic runabouts during this transitional period.
By the end of the decade, Century’s iconic mahogany runabouts had reached their peak in refinement. These late-1960s models represent the final chapter of classic wood craftsmanship before the company transitioned fully toward fiberglass in the following decade.
Century formally steps into the fiberglass era, embracing new materials that allow for more durable, lower-maintenance, and modern hull designs while continuing to carry forward the performance heritage of its wooden predecessors.
In the 1970s, Liberace owned a 21-foot Century Coronado boat named "Piano II," which he kept at his Lake Arrowhead estate. The boat featured a unique piano key design on its exterior, painted by an artist named Wilmer Jaun.
In 1995, Yamaha Motor Corporation purchased Century Boats, as part of a broader strategy to integrate boating and outboard-motor manufacturing under one corporate umbrella. The deal came shortly after Yamaha had also acquired Cobia Boats; the two companies were merged into a new entity, C&C Manufacturing.
To meet consumer demand, Century began producing a selection of small and medium-sized center console boats and a new 19-foot Bay Boat. Global ambitions sparked a new chapter, but shifting economic winds led Yamaha to shelving the Century brand in 2009 during a time of global downturn.
In 2012, Yamaha sold the Century brand to Allcraft Marine, LLC of Florida. Under Allcraft Marine’s ownership, Century was revived, this time focusing on saltwater fishing boats, center-console models, and smaller family & sport boats — reflecting changing market demands and modern recreational boating trends.
After facing prolonged financial headwinds and internal challenges, Allcraft Marine—the parent company of Century Boats—filed for bankruptcy in 2025, triggering a strategic opportunity for new ownership and revitalization. Century Boats had weathered nearly a century of tides—of triumphs and trials, of innovation and resilience. In 2026, the next evolution of Century Boats is coming.
As Century prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, the company is not just honoring its past- it’s building the future. With a renewed focus on American excellence, dealer support, and forward-thinking product design, Century is poised to reclaim its place at the helm of the marine industry.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the historians, researchers, and devoted enthusiasts who have spent years uncovering, preserving, and protecting the rich story of Century Boats. Your tireless work- tracking down lost records, interviewing past craftsmen, documenting forgotten details, and piecing together archives once thought gone- has ensured that this remarkable legacy will never fade. Your commitment keeps the Century story alive, inspires restorers and collectors, and safeguards a piece of American boating history for generations to come.
Across the country, passionate historians and dedicated boat owners work tirelessly to restore classic Century boats, preserving their original craftsmanship with the same pride and precision that built them nearly a century ago.
These restorers painstakingly rebuild mahogany decks, renew period-correct hardware, and bring vintage engines back to life—ensuring each boat reflects the beauty, speed, and spirit of its era.
Their shared enthusiasm has created a vibrant community, where owners gather through clubs, exhibitions, and annual boat shows to showcase their restorations, celebrate the brand’s heritage, and pass down stories that keep the Century legacy alive. Through these events, the iconic look, sound, and artistry of a classic Century continues to inspire new generations of admirers.
As we look toward the future, our new Century models are being designed with the features today’s boaters value most- modern technology, advanced materials, refined comfort, and performance-driven engineering- while preserving the unmistakable soul that has defined Century for nearly 100 years.
Every decision reflects our dedication to American craftsmanship, our commitment to excellence, and our belief that quality should never be compromised.
These upcoming models will carry forward the spirit of innovation that built our legacy, introducing unique, exciting designs that honor our heritage while boldly moving the brand into its next century on the water.