by Mitch Berg member of ACBS
In 1962 my brother and I were trying to talk our Dad into buying a used 61 Coronado Gull Wing. Dad said NO MORE USED BOATS! In the spring of 1963, much to our surprise, our Dad purchased a brand new 1963 Coronado Hardtop. We picked it up in Manistee and towed her back to New Buffalo MI, sitting on her cradle on a flat bed trailer, attached to a bumper hitch on a 57 Dodge Sedan! To say that was a scary trip would be putting it mildly. In 1968 I went away to college, after graduating, getting married and life getting in the way, boating was just not in the cards.
Fast forward to 1995, My Girl was purchased upside down and gutted, her 390 ci 325 HP Dual Quad Caddy sitting on a cradle. I was in love knowing what was waiting for me once she was completed! I commissioned the seller for her restoration. Unfortunately the 22 month process was filled with broken promises, deception, lies, skyrocketing costs and later some sketchy workmanship became apparent. Over the next couple of years, thanks to Macatawa Bay Boat Works the sins of the builder were corrected!
Her maiden voyage on Lake Michigan, the day I had been waiting so long for, was an amazing thrill! What a summer that was. As we all know, the best feeling in the world is cruising on the lake on a calm day. Imagine my delight, during her visit to the Thoroughbred Roundup in Manistee that fall, she was honored with the Skippers Choice award!
I have to say even in the off season, every time I open the storage building I smile from ear to ear. When pulling her on the trailer or when we’re underway in the harbor or on the lake, the reactions from everyone that sees her never gets old! Oh Baby, I’ve gotta a sweeter song than the birds in the trees! What can make me feel this way? My Girl, talken bout, talken bout, My Girl.
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I think you just gave your girl a Valentine!
Wow…. What a story. Thanks for posting a boat I had never heard of,,,
David Munson
Manchester MO
My absolute favorite year Coronado….beautiful boat and story…thanks for sharing it!
SWEET – you lucky dog!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gorgeous boat and a wonderful story. Wishing you many years of enjoyment
Dear Mitch:
Congratulations on your restoration of My Girl. She looks fantastic and I am sure she runs as good as she looks.
Jon Reus, the owner of Macatawa Bay Boat Works, is a concours quality restorer and a very fine gentleman. He has played significant roles in the restoration of two of my Chris-Crafts – one of them took a silver cup award at Keels & Wheels.
I hope to see you and My Girl at an ACBS event soon.
Very truly yours,
Gary Cunningham
Your boat is beautiful, When I was in collage at the University of Michigan, the winter of my senior year in 196I my fraternity brothers and I went thru Manistee on our way to Boyne Mountain and I saw the Century factory and a lot of new Century inboards covered up in the factory yard. I wondered what it would be like to own one.
Your Century adventures stoke the hope, memories that spring will soon bring. Unless one has experienced that “calm water” classic moment it is impossible to convey, imagine what it feels like. My newly acquired 57 Century Resorter will be introduced to Lake Minnetonka this spring. A place that I cruised in my 51 Chris Riviera many years ago.
Beautiful!!