Whoohoo, We Got A Us A Whatizit From Wes And Mr Wardsworth?

PalO Mine, you think you know. But?

We got a What Iz It request from longtime Woody Boater and great guy Wes Yandt regarding A pals boat. At first I thought I knew what it was, but of course upon a deeper look, and the red herring outboard, mmmmmmm? I am sure someone of us complete nuts knows. So, can you help out Wes, and Mr Wardsworth? BTW, best last name EVER! Here is the note.

The Cutwater may tell the story. Century sedan?

I wondered what kind of boat and year this boat would be. I’s my great grandparents boat they had at Priest Lake, ID probably late 1940’s early 1950’s. It would be cool if it was still around. To me it looks like an 18′ Gar Wood Sedan, too small for a CC.

Thanks for the info
Alan Wardsworth

I think the outboard is a kicker. But?

Thats an engine box he is are sitting on

That is a very cool hat. mmmmmm What are they looking at so intently? mmmmm the outboard? So many questions.  Anyway, Mr Wardsworth needs to good old fashion What iz it.

23 replies
  1. Bob Miklos
    Bob Miklos says:

    1947 Century Resorter 20. The top to me doesn’t look to be Century but could have been a one off or someone put it on early in it’s life.

  2. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    A non Chris Craft sedan. Grandpa liked to troll for Pike on Priest Lake. That’s what the outboard is all about.

  3. Frank Miklos
    Frank Miklos says:

    The boat os a 2947 Century Resorter 19.5′. Looking at the photos I give it a 80% or more chance that it was done by Century. One of three things, a special order never intended to be produced, a prototype built, that was never produced in production, or as an undocumented option that few were produced. There may have been dealership notifications only. In the early to mid 1930s Century offered sedan tops that never made it into catalogs except for a single line in text as available. 1938 to 1941 a sedan top showed up as photos in the catalog. It was still offered in and some sold in the 1942 model year but i have never seen a 42 pamphlet for that boat. After the war 1946 was a limited production year with very few models produced. So 1947 was the first year of full production and all sizes returned with only minor hull changes from 1942… Cosmetic changes and slight stretching of hulls with 11/16″ added between frame stations. Adding an average of 6″ to the hulls. Looking at the top and other features it was either done by Century or someone used a pre-war Century Sedan as inspiration. A note about the front corners of the top. It looks to be made just like century motor-boxes were constructed. . Which is different than pre-war Century sedans. If nor century it is done very well and consistent with evolving styles that would have been expected.

  4. Frank Miklos
    Frank Miklos says:

    Here is a picture of a standard pre-war Century Sedan. Many things are similar in style but some things look to be updated for the post-war styling. But without a second one showing up I can’t definitely say it is done by Century.

    • Frank Miklos
      Frank Miklos says:

      I wish that i knew what year the photo was taken. Too many differences from the chris craft tops. It shorter in length and height and i believe width…also looks to be designed for this boat highly doubt that it was altered to fit. Looks too good..and too many differences from the cc top.

  5. Jimmy
    Jimmy says:

    Looks like to me that’s the optional U22 hard top, not to be confused with the 22’ Sedan model. Top looks like it’s been shortened and modified to fit the Century.

    Here’s a picture from ABA, someone has extended the canvas all the way down on the front and rear, but it’s the only good picture I can find. Note the side vents are also identical.

  6. Bert
    Bert says:

    Most of the canvas tops of that period are so nicely shaped while nowadays tops in new boats are so ugly. How did they make them ? Only steel tube frames underneath or spanned up with wood sail battens in it ? Maybe more skilled people because in pre w war 2,many tops were also made for cars in that time. Would love to see pictures with details how they were or are formed.

  7. Troy in ANE
    Troy in ANE says:

    I think Jimmy nailed it!! GOOD EYE!

    A CC hard top professionally added to a Century. Well done,

    Bert: These tops are firm wood tops with canvas installed over the wood. They are not tubular frames like todays boat tops.

  8. Wes
    Wes says:

    Wow.

    Woodyboaterville is amazing. Thank you for the information. Now we have to help Alan find it…..

  9. Frank Miklos
    Frank Miklos says:

    I wish that i knew what year the photo was taken. Too many differences from the chris craft tops. It shorter in length and height and i believe width…also looks to be designed for this boat highly doubt that it was altered to fit. Looks too good..and too many differences from the cc top. Either made by century or custom made very very well thoughout..

  10. Framk G Miklos
    Framk G Miklos says:

    here are some photos of another Resorter with a top installed. this one was custom made by the owner. this boat appears to be a 1948. This top has permanent sides with a retractable top.

  11. Alan Wardsworth
    Alan Wardsworth says:

    Thank you for the great observations. I think Frank has the right idea being a Century. It has the Century emblem on the bow and that arch deck. No sign of a name on the side and what threw me was those vents look to be CC as well as the window shape and build. Plus, the long swooping “tail” of the hardtop doesn’t look like a Century but looks like a CC design. So maybe it was a one off prototype design. Too bad it’s still not in the family! Check out the attached photo I found, it has the railing attached to the hood. Plus, check out the cool runabout sitting next to it #1442. Thank you again for the help.

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