Sunnyland Saves A Century

By Jeff Funk

Three years ago the non-profit Sunnyland Chapter Adult Mentoring Program for Youth (SCAMPY) began a new program for adults. After more than ten years mentoring young adults in the fine art of boat building, it was time to expand and incorporate more ‘senior’ members into the restoration world of saving our beloved classics. It was time. 

Our first project was a very tired 1962 17-foot Century Resorter. One of its main features was the original Cal-Connell Crusader, only seven boats came with that power. The Resorter had been restored once before, albeit incorrectly, many years earlier. Now it had a rotting plywood bottom, short planks, steel fasteners, and many other no-no’s when it comes to properly saving mahogany powerboats. A complete restoration was badly needed.

The first season was spent installing a new double-planked 5200 bottom. We began by pulling the Crusader motor, then stripping the boat in preparation for rolling the boat over. After tediously removing the thousands of fasteners, the bottom was removed. Frames were replaced, new battens were installed, and the inner 4m Okume sub-base was fitted and installed with 5200 after sealing with CPES. New planks had to be fabricated without patterns. Those were dry-fitted prior to sealing with CPES, then put down with 5200 and 316 Stainless Sharx fasteners. After a lot of fairing, the new bottom was sealed, primed, and painted. All was completed the first season. 

The second season’s objective was to fabricate all new hullside and transom planks. New covering boards were also fabricated. It was decided to ‘skin’ the hull and transom over new battens with 4m Okume, then glue and screw the new African mahogany with WEST to prevent plank movement. Hours were spent cutting and tapping in new mahogany plugs. Again, a lot of fairing and final sanding. The boat was then finished using the ‘Van Dam’ method using WEST clear after staining and sealing. Then four coats of varnish were applied. It turned out amazing. 

The last season saw our many volunteers installing the new interior, rebuilding the Crusader power, and re-assembling the boat. Fresh chrome, new flooring, new windshield panels, new fuel tank, and many other refreshed items were going into this happy Resorter. 

Finally, just weeks before the 2025 Sunnyland show, the Resorter was successfully water-tested and after three seasons of hard work, the boat was finished. 

She turned out fantastic, thanks to the professional restorers who taught the class, and the many selfless volunteers who dedicated countless hours to bring this beauty back to life. The Resorter was displayed at the 2025 Sunnyland Antique Boat Show and was awarded ‘Best Century’, which made all of us very proud. 

A special thanks goes to my fellow professional restorers Frank Miklos and Herb Hall who dedicated many hours to the project. The restoration was indeed a group e&ort with professionals and amateurs alike. Many friendships were made, and the camaraderie was infectious and all we hoped for. In a word, it was ‘fun’. 

The SCAMPY program was the brainchild of Lou Ronca, who for years has worked tirelessly to promote and build the program. Due to his efforts, the program has been a huge success and continues to grow. Lou has since turned the reigns over to me. 

With the help of the many talented mentors and volunteers, we plan to keep building on what Lou began. It started with Lou’s idea to help others. It has clearly done that, and much more.