1958 Century Coronado

rgilfert · 04-13-2012, 01:30 PM

When I was eight years old my Grandfather bought a brand new 1958 Century Coronado for himself (I put a couple of pictures of it in my "1958 Summer Vacation" album). It was truly "his baby"...and in an attempt to keep other family members from driving it (aka my Dad)...he bought a second boat with a small outboard motor for everyone else to use. He was only marginally successful with this strategy however for my Dad used to regularly take "the women" of the house (and myself) to Wolfeboro in it (from Melvin Village) on the guise of having to go food shopping. After my Grandfather passed away and when I turned 16 I was allowed to use the boat at will.....and the memories & stories I have about using that boat during the following eight years I could bore you all with for hours. Phenomenal opportunity & experiences that I'll never forget!! I'm not sure what the engine was that was in it. I know that it was a big block ... and I've been told that it might have been an early/prototype Ford 427 cuin motor but I don't know. I remember distinctly that it had dual 4 bbl carburetors and there was a sticker on each of the chrome valve covers that read "sodium cooled racing valves". Perhaps one of you might know the correct displacement and manufacturer of the block? Unfortunately the boat was sold in 1974 while I was in the Navy due to dry rot in the hull. Subsequently, and for many years the boat remained on the lake (I used to see it infrequently emerging from under the bridge leading from Wolfeboro's Back Bay)...but then I stopped seeing it all together. I sincerely believe that it might have been used as the "model" for Peter Ferber's early water color featuring a Century Coronado...only because it looked exactly like it (except that the painting had a chrome rear swim ladder in the rear..but that could have easily been added after the fact). In all of my years on the lake...I've never seen another one like it. Does anyone know whether the boat is still on the lake? I'd love to see it again....and reminisce!

NoBozo · 04-13-2012, 02:29 PM

In 1958, the 21 foot Century Coronado had four V-8s available. There was a Gray Marine V-8 at 225 HP. There were two Chrysler V-8 options, one at 225HP and another at 275 HP.

There also was a Cadilac V-8 at 275 HP and last, there was a Ford Interceptor V-8 at 215 HP.

In 1959, the Coronado got a totally new hull and the max HP was upped to 325.

NB

(Ref: Speltz; Real Runaboats II)

PS: The biggest V-8 I can remember in 1958 was the Chevy 348 ci (Truck engine) that was put in some Chevy Impalas. I'll stick my neck out and guess that 427s didn't come out until the mid sixties. Your boat may have been repowered in the sixties.

Just Sold · 04-13-2012, 06:57 PM

RGILFERT I loved your story and all of the photos you posted in the Gallery. If you have more photos post em!
There was a 21' Century Coronado w/movable hard top in Alton Bay on Echo Point in the 50's and early 60's but the hull had more white in it. I loved seeing that boat and always wished my dad had one too. It was sure fast.

mowtorman · 04-13-2012, 10:59 PM

catalog pic

Just Sold · 04-14-2012, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowtorman

catalog pic

That's the one! Thanks Mowtorman

NoBozo · 04-14-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowtorman

catalog pic

I believe the model shown is a '59 model. The distinctive "beak" at the bow was new for 1959 and distinctly seperates it from the '58 and earlier models which were more traditional. If you look at the text in the ad, I think it also says 1959. The sliding hardtop was always optional.

NB

rgilfert · 04-14-2012, 10:35 AM

Thanks, NoBozo! When I saw the picture I was saying to myself that it doesn't look anything like the one that we had...and that explains it!

ghfromaltonbay · 04-14-2012, 11:20 AM

I bought the Peter Ferber print entitled "1957 Century Coronado" and it is hanging on the wall right behind my chair here in the den. I just checked and it says print 91 of 100. I love this picture! From the background it looks like the boathouse at which it is docked may be in Winter Harbor. There is a hardtop Coronado still resident in Alton Bay off 28A. The boathouse where it resides is across from Sandy Pt. and slightly north of the Point.

NoBozo · 04-14-2012, 11:39 AM

Here's one I found on Google. If you like projects and are feeling ambitious.... Scroll down through ALL the pictures of this restoration. I just plugged in 1958 21' Century Coronado. There are quite a few to choose from. If you know the serial number of the original boat..you might find it by Googling "Century Boat Club" .

NB

http://www.centuryclassicpowerboat.c...5866/m5866.htm

EDIT: Here it is: (A GOLD Mine of Info including engines and engine displacements.

http://centuryboatclub.com/cbcindex02.htm

mowtorman · 04-14-2012, 02:01 PM

from Trading Dock, couldn't read fine print on Fiberglassics pic, I like them all

rgilfert · 04-14-2012, 02:53 PM

GHfromaltonbay: I have the same print as well...I bought it many years ago in Wolfeboro. I'm not sure what my print number is...it's on Rattlesnake and my boat (like a dope) isn't in the water yet. Perhaps the boat that my Grandfather bought in 1958 was really a leftover from '57 (I guess I'll never know) because they certainly look and are painted the same. I wish that I had the print in front of me because my recollection was that the print didn't have an air scoop on top of the engine compartment and our boat did (see photo):

ghfromaltonbay · 04-14-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgilfert

GHfromaltonbay: I have the same print as well...I bought it many years ago in Wolfeboro. I'm not sure what my print number is...it's on Rattlesnake and my boat (like a dope) isn't in the water yet. Perhaps the boat that my Grandfather bought in 1958 was really a leftover from '57 (I guess I'll never know) because they certainly look and are painted the same. I wish that I had the print in front of me because my recollection was that the print didn't have an air scoop on top of the engine compartment and our boat did (see photo):

I just got up and looked at the print which I bought a few years back. There is no air scoop on the engine compartment, there is a flag mounted in that spot. Can't wait to get up to the lake and see some Coronados again in person. Have to wait till Alton turns on the town water north of the bridge so we can get back to Sandy Point.

NoBozo · 04-14-2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgilfert

GHfromaltonbay: I have the same print as well...I bought it many years ago in Wolfeboro. I'm not sure what my print number is...it's on Rattlesnake and my boat (like a dope) isn't in the water yet. Perhaps the boat that my Grandfather bought in 1958 was really a leftover from '57 (I guess I'll never know) because they certainly look and are painted the same. I wish that I had the print in front of me because my recollection was that the print didn't have an air scoop on top of the engine compartment and our boat did (see photo):

That picture is priceless. First: The "Air Scoop" would make sense if there were TWO Four barrel carbs. The front of the engine is higher than the rear....need clearence for the front carb.

The Sun Glasses ..are Period..and collectible.

NB

rgilfert: Is that you to the right of that lady with the sun glasse..??

Alton Bay · 04-14-2012, 08:01 PM

The owner of the Coronado in Alton Bay is active with the Antique Boat Museum. The museum folks might be helpful resources in finding information about the boat.

rgilfert · 04-15-2012, 07:20 AM

NoBozo: The "Fashion Plate" wearing the sunglasses is my Mom...and you guessed it...I'm the kid at her side pointing at something. My Grandfather is at the wheel...and if I'm not mistaken...I can just see a piece of my Grandma's hat next to him in the front seat. If that is her....this would be one of only a VERY few trips that she ever took in the boat. She couldn't swim and hated to be out in boats!

Fargo · 04-15-2012, 08:40 AM

Hey rgilfert you and I are the same age. I started working at Channel Marine when I turned 14 and stayed thru college. I'm sure I changed the oil on that boat at some time. Great memories.

rgilfert · 04-15-2012, 09:08 AM

Fargo: The similarities continue....I was the gas boy at what is now Trexler's Marina under the Long Island Bridge (I believe however that it was still Prince Marina at the time) the summer of 1968 (just prior to my freshman year in college). Other summers (1969 & 70) I worked as a stock boy at a general store in Melvin Village. You're right...Outstanding memories!!

ghfromaltonbay · 04-15-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alton Bay

The owner of the Coronado in Alton Bay is active with the Antique Boat Museum. The museum folks might be helpful resources in finding information about the boat.

I know the owner of the Coronado in near Sandy Point. He's a NJ transplant (lucky him). I planned to speak to him when I get back to Alton Bay about finding more info about the 1958's. He's a wealth of knowledge..

chillininnh · 04-17-2012, 09:27 AM

I have had the pleasure of being around wood boats my whole life. My brother has a 1957 Century Coronado that Scott Hayes at Hi-Gloss Boat Restoration restored to absolute perfection. Cruising the lake in these beauties really does take you back in time, I love it.

Matty67 · 04-19-2012, 08:18 PM

The 59 Coronado belonged to my dad -(Cascades) mostly white like mentioned ,Don Purdy had the 57 Coro without a roof (50 Special) and Gordon Oickle had a 57 with the roof (Bonnie Lee) all great boats in the eary time in Alton Bay!

coronado · 04-22-2012, 07:23 PM

It's nice to see the interest/info gathered about these classic boats. I think that seeing and hearing these beauties on the lake is priceless. But what also makes me cherrish these boats are the memories created on the lake years ago that still are carried on to this day. Who raced who, who had what for power etc. Who, while leaving the town docks (after one too many cocktails) backed into a large cruiser, causing a scene. It's all too funny and one of the reasons that folks who were lucky enough to grow up on the lake should never take it for granted.

All that being said... I have a 58 in my garage. It has the 354 Hemi motor which has a yellow cautionary decal on the valve cover that states it has sodium filled valves. Hope this helps.....

Mr Cooke's Crew · 04-23-2012, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty67

The 59 Coronado belonged to my dad -(Cascades) mostly white like mentioned ,Don Purdy had the 57 Coro without a roof (50 Special) and Gordon Oickle had a 57 with the roof (Bonnie Lee) all great boats in the eary time in Alton Bay!

I loved this boat & the others.Thoes were good times.

NoBozo · 04-14-2012, 02:55 PM

Buried on the Century Boat Club site I found a list of 522 Coronados registered with the club. The boats are listed by Owner, State, or Year...and in some cases by boat name. Just click the button.

NB

VitaBene · 04-14-2012, 05:40 PM

There is a newer Coronado for sale at Goodhue Hawkins on 25 Moultonborouh. It is brown and needs a good buffing! I love Coronados

rgilfert · 08-06-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghfromaltonbay

I bought the Peter Ferber print entitled "1957 Century Coronado" and it is hanging on the wall right behind my chair here in the den. I just checked and it says print 91 of 100. I love this picture! From the background it looks like the boathouse at which it is docked may be in Winter Harbor. There is a hardtop Coronado still resident in Alton Bay off 28A. The boathouse where it resides is across from Sandy Pt. and slightly north of the Point.

Ghfromaltonbay....I just checked my Peter Ferber print of the Century Coronado....and mine is numbered 90 of 100, we probably brushed shoulders as you were entering the gallery and I was leaving!

pointofview · 08-07-2012, 09:54 AM

Could one of you guys post a picture of it? Never heard of this print and I have lots of Peter Ferber prints. I assume it was a limited edition and has run out?

songkrai · 08-07-2012, 10:13 AM

The story I remember.

My neighbor always had a newer Century. The last one I remember was a late 50's with the sliding roof.
The story at the time was that his Century had a special ordered engine. And that it was a Cadillac engine.
I have no way to verify this.
I do remember folks stating that this was the fastest (non-modified) boat on the lake at the time. That may have been a bit of an exageration but the boat was fast.

pointofview · 08-07-2012, 01:00 PM

The Cadillac engine was the most powerful. Speeds in excess of 50 mph for the Coronado, but nowhere near the fastest boat. Marriotts had a few boats that could break the "century" mark back in those days!

John A. Birdsall · 08-07-2012, 01:58 PM

There is one forsale in Alton Bay, At Rich Fiore's Boat shop just before the bay. I thought about it for a weekend, but I did not care for the roof. I think at the camp it would be tough to get into it. I actually thought gee maybe that hard roof could come off. (if it did it would probably go faster)

04-13-2012, 01:30 PM	#1
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	1958 Century Coronado When I was eight years old my Grandfather bought a brand new 1958 Century Coronado for himself (I put a couple of pictures of it in my "1958 Summer Vacation" album). It was truly "his baby"...and in an attempt to keep other family members from driving it (aka my Dad)...he bought a second boat with a small outboard motor for everyone else to use. He was only marginally successful with this strategy however for my Dad used to regularly take "the women" of the house (and myself) to Wolfeboro in it (from Melvin Village) on the guise of having to go food shopping. After my Grandfather passed away and when I turned 16 I was allowed to use the boat at will.....and the memories & stories I have about using that boat during the following eight years I could bore you all with for hours. Phenomenal opportunity & experiences that I'll never forget!! I'm not sure what the engine was that was in it. I know that it was a big block ... and I've been told that it might have been an early/prototype Ford 427 cuin motor but I don't know. I remember distinctly that it had dual 4 bbl carburetors and there was a sticker on each of the chrome valve covers that read "sodium cooled racing valves". Perhaps one of you might know the correct displacement and manufacturer of the block? Unfortunately the boat was sold in 1974 while I was in the Navy due to dry rot in the hull. Subsequently, and for many years the boat remained on the lake (I used to see it infrequently emerging from under the bridge leading from Wolfeboro's Back Bay)...but then I stopped seeing it all together. I sincerely believe that it might have been used as the "model" for Peter Ferber's early water color featuring a Century Coronado...only because it looked exactly like it (except that the painting had a chrome rear swim ladder in the rear..but that could have easily been added after the fact). In all of my years on the lake...I've never seen another one like it. Does anyone know whether the boat is still on the lake? I'd love to see it again....and reminisce!

04-13-2012, 02:29 PM	#2
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	1958 Century Coronado In 1958, the 21 foot Century Coronado had four V-8s available. There was a Gray Marine V-8 at 225 HP. There were two Chrysler V-8 options, one at 225HP and another at 275 HP. There also was a Cadilac V-8 at 275 HP and last, there was a Ford Interceptor V-8 at 215 HP. In 1959, the Coronado got a totally new hull and the max HP was upped to 325. NB (Ref: Speltz; Real Runaboats II) PS: The biggest V-8 I can remember in 1958 was the Chevy 348 ci (Truck engine) that was put in some Chevy Impalas. I'll stick my neck out and guess that 427s didn't come out until the mid sixties. Your boat may have been repowered in the sixties.

04-13-2012, 06:57 PM	#3
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,612 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 433 Times in 209 Posts	RGILFERT I loved your story and all of the photos you posted in the Gallery. If you have more photos post em! There was a 21' Century Coronado w/movable hard top in Alton Bay on Echo Point in the 50's and early 60's but the hull had more white in it. I loved seeing that boat and always wished my dad had one too. It was sure fast. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

04-13-2012, 10:59 PM	#4
mowtorman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 230 Thanks: 75 Thanked 142 Times in 79 Posts	58 coronado catalog pic Attached Images

04-14-2012, 11:20 AM	#8
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 819 Thanks: 246 Thanked 224 Times in 130 Posts	Peter Ferber print I bought the Peter Ferber print entitled "1957 Century Coronado" and it is hanging on the wall right behind my chair here in the den. I just checked and it says print 91 of 100. I love this picture! From the background it looks like the boathouse at which it is docked may be in Winter Harbor. There is a hardtop Coronado still resident in Alton Bay off 28A. The boathouse where it resides is across from Sandy Pt. and slightly north of the Point.

The Following User Says Thank You to rgilfert For This Useful Post:
Just Sold (04-13-2012)

04-14-2012, 10:35 AM	#7
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	Thanks, NoBozo! When I saw the picture I was saying to myself that it doesn't look anything like the one that we had...and that explains it!

04-14-2012, 11:39 AM	#9
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	Try Google Here's one I found on Google. If you like projects and are feeling ambitious.... Scroll down through ALL the pictures of this restoration. I just plugged in 1958 21' Century Coronado. There are quite a few to choose from. If you know the serial number of the original boat..you might find it by Googling "Century Boat Club" . NB http://www.centuryclassicpowerboat.c...5866/m5866.htm EDIT: Here it is: (A GOLD Mine of Info including engines and engine displacements. http://centuryboatclub.com/cbcindex02.htm

04-14-2012, 02:01 PM	#10
mowtorman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 230 Thanks: 75 Thanked 142 Times in 79 Posts	58 coronado from Trading Dock, couldn't read fine print on Fiberglassics pic, I like them all Attached Images

04-14-2012, 02:53 PM	#11
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	GHfromaltonbay: I have the same print as well...I bought it many years ago in Wolfeboro. I'm not sure what my print number is...it's on Rattlesnake and my boat (like a dope) isn't in the water yet. Perhaps the boat that my Grandfather bought in 1958 was really a leftover from '57 (I guess I'll never know) because they certainly look and are painted the same. I wish that I had the print in front of me because my recollection was that the print didn't have an air scoop on top of the engine compartment and our boat did (see photo): Attached Images

04-14-2012, 08:01 PM	#14
Alton Bay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 73 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	The owner of the Coronado in Alton Bay is active with the Antique Boat Museum. The museum folks might be helpful resources in finding information about the boat.

The Following User Says Thank You to Alton Bay For This Useful Post:
rgilfert (04-15-2012)

04-15-2012, 07:20 AM	#15
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	NoBozo: The "Fashion Plate" wearing the sunglasses is my Mom...and you guessed it...I'm the kid at her side pointing at something. My Grandfather is at the wheel...and if I'm not mistaken...I can just see a piece of my Grandma's hat next to him in the front seat. If that is her....this would be one of only a VERY few trips that she ever took in the boat. She couldn't swim and hated to be out in boats!

04-15-2012, 08:40 AM	#16
Fargo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Winni Posts: 215 Thanks: 36 Thanked 130 Times in 38 Posts	Century Hey rgilfert you and I are the same age. I started working at Channel Marine when I turned 14 and stayed thru college. I'm sure I changed the oil on that boat at some time. Great memories.

04-15-2012, 09:08 AM	#17
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	Fargo: The similarities continue....I was the gas boy at what is now Trexler's Marina under the Long Island Bridge (I believe however that it was still Prince Marina at the time) the summer of 1968 (just prior to my freshman year in college). Other summers (1969 & 70) I worked as a stock boy at a general store in Melvin Village. You're right...Outstanding memories!!

04-17-2012, 09:27 AM	#19
chillininnh Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 54 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	I have had the pleasure of being around wood boats my whole life. My brother has a 1957 Century Coronado that Scott Hayes at Hi-Gloss Boat Restoration restored to absolute perfection. Cruising the lake in these beauties really does take you back in time, I love it.

The Following User Says Thank You to chillininnh For This Useful Post:
winnisummergal (04-17-2012)

04-19-2012, 08:18 PM	#20
Matty67 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newburyport ma Posts: 14 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 1 Post	Alton Bay Coronado's The 59 Coronado belonged to my dad -(Cascades) mostly white like mentioned ,Don Purdy had the 57 Coro without a roof (50 Special) and Gordon Oickle had a 57 with the roof (Bonnie Lee) all great boats in the eary time in Alton Bay! Attached Images

The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Matty67 For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (05-03-2012), ghfromaltonbay (04-20-2012), Just Sold (04-23-2012), mowtorman (04-22-2012), Mr Cooke's Crew (04-23-2012), NHBUOY (04-23-2012), Tallyho (04-23-2012), Webbsatwinni (04-19-2012)

04-22-2012, 07:23 PM	#21
coronado Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	coronado's It's nice to see the interest/info gathered about these classic boats. I think that seeing and hearing these beauties on the lake is priceless. But what also makes me cherrish these boats are the memories created on the lake years ago that still are carried on to this day. Who raced who, who had what for power etc. Who, while leaving the town docks (after one too many cocktails) backed into a large cruiser, causing a scene. It's all too funny and one of the reasons that folks who were lucky enough to grow up on the lake should never take it for granted. All that being said... I have a 58 in my garage. It has the 354 Hemi motor which has a yellow cautionary decal on the valve cover that states it has sodium filled valves. Hope this helps.....

04-14-2012, 02:55 PM	#23
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	Coronado Registry Buried on the Century Boat Club site I found a list of 522 Coronados registered with the club. The boats are listed by Owner, State, or Year...and in some cases by boat name. Just click the button. NB

The Following User Says Thank You to NoBozo For This Useful Post:
rgilfert (04-14-2012)

04-14-2012, 05:40 PM	#24
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,534 Thanks: 1,575 Thanked 1,610 Times in 824 Posts	There is a newer Coronado for sale at Goodhue Hawkins on 25 Moultonborouh. It is brown and needs a good buffing! I love Coronados

08-07-2012, 09:54 AM	#26
pointofview Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gilford and Tuftonboro Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Could one of you guys post a picture of it? Never heard of this print and I have lots of Peter Ferber prints. I assume it was a limited edition and has run out?

08-07-2012, 10:13 AM	#27
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 726 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	The story I remember. My neighbor always had a newer Century. The last one I remember was a late 50's with the sliding roof. The story at the time was that his Century had a special ordered engine. And that it was a Cadillac engine. I have no way to verify this. I do remember folks stating that this was the fastest (non-modified) boat on the lake at the time. That may have been a bit of an exageration but the boat was fast.

08-07-2012, 01:00 PM	#28
pointofview Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gilford and Tuftonboro Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The Cadillac engine was the most powerful. Speeds in excess of 50 mph for the Coronado, but nowhere near the fastest boat. Marriotts had a few boats that could break the "century" mark back in those days!

08-07-2012, 01:58 PM	#29
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	century There is one forsale in Alton Bay, At Rich Fiore's Boat shop just before the bay. I thought about it for a weekend, but I did not care for the roof. I think at the camp it would be tough to get into it. I actually thought gee maybe that hard roof could come off. (if it did it would probably go faster)