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| Founded | 1926 |
|---|---|
| Founder | James and William Welch |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products | Fiberglass boats |
| Website | www |
The Century Boat Company (commonly known as Century Boats) is an American boatbuilding manufacturer founded in 1926 by brothers James and William Welch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two years later, the company relocated to Manistee, Michigan, where it remained for more than six decades.
In the 1930s, Century produced its Hurricane model, which set the world outboard speedboat record at 50.93 mph. By 1937 the company offered 28 different models. During the 1940s, in World War II, the company delivered 3,600 vessels under a government contract and earned the U.S. Army‑Navy “E” Award for production excellence.
Over subsequent decades, Century transitioned from wooden plank hulls to fiberglass construction, starting in 1967. In the 1970s the company introduced motor yachts, jet-propelled boats, and launched its popular Coronado model. Century relocated from Michigan to a new plant in Florida in 1983.
In 1995, Yamaha Motor Corporation acquired Century (which had merged with Cobia Boats under the name C&C Manufacturing) and produced boats through the late 2000s.
Yamaha struggled domestically during the global recession of 2009 and put Century up for sale. In 2012 Century was sold to All Craft Marine, LLC, who revived the brand with a full line of saltwater fishing and family boats ranging from 17 to 32 feet.
After 12 years of the success the company began to experience financial distress in 2024. The business filed Chapter 11 in early 2025. As a result, All Craft Marine’s assets—including Century Boats—were sold via court-approved bankruptcy proceedings to American Nautical Holdings, a Florida-based maritime investment and manufacturing group. The new ownership team is experienced in consumer facing business development and longterm corporate growth strategies.
American Nautical Holdings now operates Century Boats from its headquarters in Zephyrhills Florida, expanded its production facility and announced plans for several new models of what they call Modern Sport Classic boats. These new models include sizes ranging from 19ft to 52ft.