Re: What and Why?
What: 1980 Century Coronado 21, Mercruiser MIE 330, 454cid.
General specifications: Centerline length 21'10", Beam 7'11", Draft 26", Freeboard Fwd. 32 1/2", Freeboard Aft, 28", Gross Weight 3,400#, Center of Balance 96" forward of transom along keel.
Why: As a teenager in the 80's I spent many hours skiing on the largest natural lake in IN, Wawasee. Wawasee Boat Company was a Century dealer for years. When Dad would go to the dock to fuel up the 68 Starcraft, (I still have it), I would always run inside to look at the new Century's. They also had several old woodies sitting around too, that we would drool over. Having seen the Coronados and Resorters in the show room and on the lake, I always wanted an Inboard. We would ski behind the I/O until we couldn't go anymore, and we always had fun, but there was nothing like hearing the thunder of a big block inboard. We would always spend at least one week in a rental house on the lake each summer. I can still close my eyes and remember waking up to the distant rumble of a Century, running to the window to look out over the misty lake trying to get a glimpse of it. The Master Crafts, Nautiques,...etc, were great for skiing...but Century's were classy....and I could tell the difference just by listening. Everyone had Nautiques, and Master Crafts....but Century's were a little more distinct. They weren't a dime a dozen type boat, they were like the Cadillac of boats.
They are well built boats, that tend to hold their value.....and I've always wanted one. So last summer, 2010, I'm pulling the 68 Starcraft up to visit the folks on their 28' Bayliner at Main Channel Marina on Wawasee, and my dad knows I drool every time I see an old Coronado or Resorter. He says did ya see that boat when ya pulled in? In my mind I'm thinking he can't be talking about the Coronado, there wasn't a for sale sign on it. So I say, which one? He says...the Coronado...can't believe ya missed it. I said, it's for sale?
......Now....mind you this is 4th of July Weekend, my wife is at work, and we aren't even thinking about spending any money at this point. I can't resist....I go look at it, It's not a museum piece but it's original and in good shape, needs some cleaning cosmetically.....so I look at dad and say....how much? I'm thinking 14k and it's a no way with the wife. He doesn't know...so we get a sales guy....he says $7,995 on the 2001 tandem trailer, with a 1 yr old cover......I called the wife...she says are you kidding me...how serious are you....bottom line, I knew that boat was going to sell that weekend to someone and I needed to move on it....I took it for a drive...made them rebuild the trans. as a condition of the sale (was leaking) and now it's mine
My in-laws have a place on lake George (MI/IN boarder)....It stays on the lift up there during the summer, and the kids love tubing behind it.
Fun fact that I discovered....Century did not produce any Coronados after the 50th anniversary edition in 1976 thru 1980. Century did not "officially" make any model year 1980 Coronado's. They manufactured a few in 1980 as 1981 models, but somehow mine was titled as a 1980, and has a HIN that indicates it was built in June of 1980 and was only the second one built that year after the lull in production.
The day I found her
My girls in the back seat.
