What Century boat did I just buy?

[Basin]

I just bought a 1987 Century bowrider with a 260 hp Mercruiser V8.

I can find NO information on any Century boats during the 80's. I think that this is an Arabian, but would love to be able to find some information, manuals and parts for this boat.

Can anyone help on this?

Thanks.

Tim

[Paugus Bay Resident]

You can try these guys. I used them to get some info on an old Connie.

Vintage Marine Sales (http://www.vmsl.com/)

They have stuff through the '80s.

Also, here's the link for the Chris Craft national org. They're mostly focused on older boats, but may have some info.

Chris Craft (http://chris-craft.org/)

Unfortunately, the books I have stop at 1968.

[Basin]

Thanks very much - I will call the vintage guys tomorrow.

It is amazing that there is NOTHING out there on Century boats after the mid-seventies.

[codeman671]

If you can provide the hull identification# I can try to run it through the national database used by marine surveyors. There is a good chance that it would come up and at least be able to nail down the exact model. It looks like Century made a few bowrider models in 1987 that are between 18-20 feet long. If you think that it might be the arabian this size range would fit.

[lakershaker]

If you go to http://www.boats.com/nada/nada.jsp you can see a listing of all boats, separated out by year. Going to Century for 1987 gives you a few bowriders, an 18', 2 19'ers, a few Arabians and a bunch of other models.

[coronado]

You may want to search the net for the Century Boat Club. They have pics. of most models and provide a CD that shows hundreds of models from the Twenties thru the eighties. They also can link you to several parts sources, one of which is A&A marine in Manistee MI. The Century boat club has a small magazine called the Thoughobred. Although the club is mostly antiques and classics, it may be a start for you... Good Luck

[Basin]

If you can provide the hull identification# I can try to run it through the national database used by marine surveyors. There is a good chance that it would come up and at least be able to nail down the exact model. It looks like Century made a few bowrider models in 1987 that are between 18-20 feet long. If you think that it might be the arabian this size range would fit.
Thanks.
I don't have the boat yet, but may try to take you up on this.

I have a 1986 catalog but nothing seems to fit. I checked the NADA website and it would seem to be an Arabian BUT I don't think they were bowriders.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

[CentreHarborEric]

The Arabians were not bowriders. I think they went to a numbered series on those bowriders circa 1987, i.e. 3500, 4000, 4500. The 4500 was a big boat, 25' I think. So yours might be the 3500.