1955 Century Coronado 20'

The Restoration and history of a 1955 Century Coronado 20'
Original restoration 1968 and current restoration 2001-2004
Hull # M55132

This boat was bought new at Reinimans Marine on Conneaut Lake, in north-western Pennsylvania. It was picked up from the Century factory on Good Friday of 1955 by Chuck Solk the owner of Reinimans and our dad Chuck Miklos. This was dad's first trip of many to the Century Boat Company. The boat was bought new by Bud Augustine, then the boat was sold to a family named Daniels. The boat then was sold to Madaline Jones, who owned it when it caught on fire in storage. Dad bought it damaged rebuilt it and sold it to Dave Stewart. Dave used the boat until June of 1972 when Hurricane Agnes (tropical storm by the time it hit Western PA) caused flooding. When pulling the boat out of the water the shaft was damaged and didn't get back in the water that year. It ended up sitting outside uncovered until 1974. In 1974 dad bought it back and it has been inside ever since.

1968 photo after the boat was damaged by a fire. The transom and several other planks were replaced at this time.

1969 After initial restoration.

In 1969 making ready for the water.

1969 in use with a folding softtop, the dock lights have been airbrushed out of this photo.

In 1978 behind another boat being restored.

Mid 1980s in storage. The hardtop and 250hp Cadillac engine were installed in 1970. The boat was used until minor damage loading it on a trailer during a flood in June of 1972. The boat then was set outside for a few years. The boat was reaquired in 1974 and was placed in storage where it remained until the restoration was started.

The restoration actually started in 1985 when the boat was stripped. Then it was moved around a few times for storage reasons.

In the mid 1990s it was decided to just refinish the boat with a few new planks. But in 1995 it was decided to remove the dock lights were removed the four planks were replaced. The boat aslo had new decks installed , stained and sealed. The boat is being perpared for rolling over. The fact that this is a personal boat means it was put on the back burner several times.

In 1999 it was decided to have a completely trouble free bottom. The bottom would be re-set in 3M 5200. The bottom would be traditional Century bottom but with 5200.

Removing the bottom. This is the best way to remove the bottom planking. It takes about 8 hrs but you have great patterns. Many shops cut the bottoms off in pieces, we feel that methood is unprofessional. It also destroys any patterns. Shops that do this usually redesign the bottom.

. The bottom removed, now framing can be replaced on at a time.

The new frames are installed, next the battens are reinstalled.

The planking installed.

The bottom sealed with C.P.E.S.

The bottom with primer.

The bottom planks are all reinstalled and painted with hard racing copper bronze bottom paint.

Rolling the boat back upright July 9, 2003

Perparing to paint the white feature. This is a very important step in restoring a Coronado. This step is where many Coronado restorers screw-up!

Using paper templates taken before stripping to reestablish the correct line location.

More line work.

The boat with many coats of varnish and the first coat of white. September 30, 2003. The water line is established with a laser.

Now with two coats of white over the varnish.

We tried to match as close as possible to the original interior samples. Above you can see what we picked.

This and the next four photographs are the boat on display at the 2004 Pittsburgh Boat Show. The boat was assembeled the week before just for display purposes.