CENTURY BOATS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IN 2026
OUR HISTORY
We invite you to dive into the fascinating history of Century Boats— a legacy built on American craftsmanship, relentless innovation, and an uncompromising dedication to a quality boat experience.
From the golden age of wooden runabouts to today’s performance-driven fishing and family boats, Century’s story is not only one of endurance, but of passion—a commitment to elevating every journey with boats that are as timeless as the adventures they inspire.
Century Boat Company was founded in 1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by two brothers- William and James Welch.
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
The first load of Century Kid boats shown leaving the Milwaukee, Wis., plant in 1926.
William Web Sherman was the first general manager of Century in 1927 at the Milwaukee plant. By profession, Sherman was a Great Lake captain and builder of cargo ships. The lettering on his cap stood for “United States Life Saving Station”.
Production and maintaining a flow of completed boats was a big hurdle in those days … and since neither of the Welch men wanted this part of the business, William Web Sherman was hired to run the company.
More than a dozen Kids sit lined up and tagged for delivery in the Milwaukee factory in 1928. Century quickly outgrew its original site and moved across Lake Michigan to Manistee, Michigan.
In 1928, the company moved to Manistee, Michigan where it stayed for over 60 years.
Pictured: The Century factory and main offices as they looked in 1930-1933.
In 1930 Century Hurricane achieved the world's Outboard Speed record of 50.93 miles per hour. In that year a Century boat won every major racing event, including the grueling 132 1/2 mile Albany to New York race with a speed of 41.76 mile per hour – and the Century Thunderbolt led the entire fleet of inboard power craft covering the same route. By 1937, Century offered 28 models. speed records of 50.93 miles per hour.
There were many other famous boat drivers in the early ‘30’s not mentioned – and many of them were Century dealers.
Jack Maypole of Chicago driving his Century Cyclone and winning the Class B Division 1 National Outboard Championship at Oakland, Cal., October 13, 1931.
The Thunderbolt, with an expanded hull capable of holding the larger six-cylinder engines, could now reach speeds of 50 miles per hour.
It continued as a successful racer, although Century positioned it as a pleasure craft for its last year. Pictured in 1939, Chickie IV garnered numerous wins during its long racing career.
Century was awarded a government contract to manufacture 3600 boats for WWII. Century received the Army-Navy E Citation for high achievement in the production of materials.
In 1928, the company moved to Manistee, Michigan where it stayed for over 60 years
The "Thoroughbred of Boats" slogan was created. The popular Coronado boats were used in two Hollywood films. Century had 343 authorized dealers.
In the early 60's, Century introduced a 45' motor yacht and it's first jet-powered boat. In the late 60's, they began creating fiberglass hulls.
For its final year in wood, the Coronado had sand-colored decks and an optional fiberglass hardtop to match. It remained a champion to the end, and inspires as much awe today as it did in 1968. The Coronado, along with the full line, converted to fiberglass construction in 1969.
Century began to grow the Parts, Sales and Marketing departments. They also purchased a fleet of tractor-trailers to haul their own product.
Photo: 1976 Raven 250
The Panama City plant was opened in 1983.
Yamaha Motor Corp. purchased Century in September of 1995. In August of 1995 Century and Cobia Boat Company merged to form C&C Manufacturing.
Photo: 1976 Raven 250
In 2012 Century was purchased by Allcraft Marine, LLC and relocated to Zephyrhills. FL. Century offered a full line of saltwater fishing boats from 17' - 32' including Express, Walk-Around, Center Console and Inshore models.
Now the next evolution of Century Boats is coming. The company has brought together the world’s most respected naval architects, marine engineers and a highly accomplished production staff.
This next chapter promises innovation, experience and pride of ownership only possible with Century. We are committed to a combination of simple sophistication, superior quality and a functional design aesthetic never seen before in our industry.