Going Mobile

The first project prior to purchasing the Resorter was finding a suitable trailer to get it home.  A custom built trailer was too expensive, so a used trailer was needed.  After about a month of searching a 1972 Vanson trailer was located.

It was in rough shape with some rust, but it was the correct length and inexpensive.  The plan was to modify the trailer to be able to pickup the boat but it quickly became apparent the boat and trailer needed to be in the same place to make construction easier.  The Resorter on its cradle was purchased and using an auto trailer, joined the trailer at my mom and dad’s house and back yard workshop.

After studying the trailer construction chapter in Don Danenberg’s book “How To Restore Your Wooden Runabout Volume 2” we determined the location of the axle needed to be relocated, additional cross members added, propeller guard removed, and a winch tower added.  Also new electrical and paint would be required.  I did the metal fabrication, my brother did the TIG welding and my dad blasted and cleaned parts.  It was a team effort taking six weeks to complete.

Hanging by an engine hoist on the rear lifting eye and a chain hoist from the garage door header on the front lifting eye, the bunk brackets were adjusted to conform to the bottom.

Once all of the fabrication was complete, the trailer was blasted, primed and painted, and reassembled with a final few details left to complete.

A few more carpeted bunks, the bow support, and a final lift from the cradle and we are headed home.



A Little History

The previous owner purchased the boat from the original owner, indicating that late in life the original owner moved to California bringing the Resorter along.  Here is a picture of the boat taken by the original owner, location unknown.

Research of the boat’s history started with A&A Marine to see if they had the hull card in their archive, and they did.  Touristville Boat Company in Clear Lake, Iowa sold the boat Oct 30, 1950.

Both the hull card and identification plate under the engine box verify the Gray Marine 4-750 engine is the original.  The 5” Stewart Warner tachometer indicates 315 hours of use since new.

The hull number is deciphered as “HD” a Resorter Deluxe Utility, “51” the model year, and “55” the production sequence.  Century started the model year production sequence with “50” so this is the 6^th boat built in the 1951 model year.  The Century Boat Club indicates 117 produced in 1951.

1951 Century Resorter 16'

My wife and I purchased our 1951 Century Resorter 16' in April 2006.  The prior owner had spent a few years doing a cosmetic restoration, but the boat had not been in the water for about 10 years.

The boat was on a shipping cradle and did not have a trailer.  We spent about a month looking for a suitable trailer, purchased a used trailer and modified it to fit the Resorter.  After some final assembly, stuffing box adjustments, and swelling, our first outing on the lake was exciting.

Unfortunately, the swelling process each season was taking longer and the lower transom plank was pushing out of place, indicating a delaminated transom bow.  After 3 seasons of use and lots of research, a new bottom was in order.

Several house renovation projects later, the Resorter is just about to the top of the priority list.