A Century of Century
Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, 2026
Or download the related registration form and email it to events@abm.org:
Boat, Motor and Amphicar Regsitration
To register, click here: 2026 Boat Show Exhibitor Registration, or download the registration form and email it to events@abm.org.
Helpful Reminders for the Event:
- Boat Safety: Under Brianna’s Law, New York State requires all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, to have a Boating Safety Certificate. ABM has partnered with the USCGA to offer classes held virtually and in-person over the next few months. For more information please visit, NYS Boater Safety Info. (If you hold a captain license, you do NOT need to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate.)
- Bring adequate lines and fenders. The River’s weather can be unpredictable, and your boat’s safety is your responsibility.
- Security: Once the day’s events are completed and the evening gates are secured, no one will be allowed on the museum grounds. Our facility is not set up for overnight lodging. In the case of severe weather, the professional guard service will allow only the owner access to the registered boats.
- For Sale Signs: Personal “For Sale” signs on boats are not allowed, but a communal board in the Haxall Building will be available for listings.
- Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly prohibited on museum grounds, including docks and buildings.
- Pets: Only service dogs are permitted on-site.
Marketplace Vendor Registration
Auction
The 2026 Boat Show Auction will take place at 1 pm on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Donate an Item for Auction
If you have a boat, engine, or other related boating object you are interested in donating for museum benefit, please contact Caitlin Playle, Curator and Collections Manager, at 315.686.4104 ext. 231 or caitlinplayle@abm.org.
Consigning an Item for Auction
If you have a boat, engine, or other related boating object you are interested in consigning to the 2026 auction, please contact Caitlin Playle, Curator and Collections Manager, at 315.686.4104 ext. 231 or caitlinplayle@abm.org.
Bidder Registration
Registration will open on July 1st.
TERMS OF SALE
Auction Rules & Terms of sale:
If pick up/delivery of a boat/item by a third party is required, it is the owner’s responsibility and expense to arrange that delivery and to notify ABM as to who will be picking up the boat/item and when.
No proxy bids (one person bidding on behalf of someone else), and no third-party payments allowed; only the owner can complete the registration/titling/payment.
No absentee bidding. At this time ABM does not have the staffing capacity or infrastructure to manage absentee bidding.
Each item for sale is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS. All sales are final. NO REFUNDS. Items in this auction are from various consignors or ABM deaccessions and/or boats for sale. Some have been pre-used and may contain defects. We have made every attempt to describe each item as accurately as possible. We are not responsible for errors or omissions in the descriptions. Before bidding, you should take appropriate steps to verify the accuracy of the listed item descriptions. You should also take appropriate steps to inspect or validate the condition of listed items prior to bidding on them. We will answer questions to the best of our ability and provide additional information if available for an item upon request during the pre-bidding and preview period.
A 15% Buyer’s Premium is applied to all purchases. The buyer is responsible for sales tax in their own state or jurisdiction at the time of DMV registration. Payment must be made in U.S. dollars. Payment options include cash, check or credit card. All credit card payments will have a 3% surcharge added. Complete payment is required after the conclusion of the auction. The Museum reserves the right to hold items or titles to items until funds clear. All winning bidders must arrange to remove items from the auction location at time of payment.
Payment must be made at the conclusion of the auction. Items that are not paid for and picked up or shipped/hauled within 3 days after auction will be deemed abandoned and those lots will be offered to the underbidder(s). Third-party shipping/hauling is available; buyers are responsible for coordinating payment and delivery arrangements with the shipper/hauler.
Buyer waives any claims for liability against either ABM or the donor/consigner of the property, and neither ABM nor the donor/consigner is responsible for any personal injuries or damages to the property that may result from the utilization of the property sold.
Bidders who abandon lots may receive a “bad bidder” rating that may affect their ability to bid in future auctions.
Pick up/Shipping: Boats/items must be removed from ABM’s grounds ASAP starting Sunday, August 2nd or NO LATER THAN 10 AM MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026 unless special arrangements have been made with ABM. Vehicles are not permitted on campus for the removal of boats until 9 AM SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2026. Any necessary movement and securing of items is at the sole risk and responsibility of the owner. The owner must present the item’s Bill of Sale when the item is removed.Boats/items left at ABM after 10am Monday, August 3rd, WILL BE MOVED AND STORED AT THE PURCHASER’S EXPENSE for a fee of $50 a day. If pick up/delivery of a boat/item by a third party is required, it is the owner’s responsibility and expense to arrange that delivery and to notify ABM as to who will be picking up the boat/item and when.
2026 Auction Items
Items are described as best as possible based on the information and images provided. Careful review of photos and items in person is strongly encouraged.
1950s Evinrude Lightwin
3HP engine that has been in storage for the past 30 years but was running when put away. All proceeds support the Museum.
Honda 4-stroke outboard
Long shaft model; in good visual condition, running status unknown. All proceeds support the Museum.
Universal Fisherman Engine
Single-cylinder inboard engine with built-in transmission. Needs restoration before running. All proceeds support the Museum
15’ 1939 Thompson
This nicely refinished outboard boat was built by Thompson. The lines and design are representative of its time. The motor is a restored 22 HP Johnson PO-39. When last tested, the motor turns over well with good compression and should need minor attention before running it. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
Photos coming soon
14′ Square Stern Dinghy
This square stern dinghy is of unknown origin and may have been used as a small yacht tender. It is carvel planked over oak frames, and canvassed on the outside. The canvas may have been added to stop leaks in the hull. It has four seats and two rowing stations. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
Model T Marine Conversion Engine
This marine conversion of a Ford Model T engine was done by St. Lawrence River Motor and Machine Co. of Clayton, NY in the 1920s. The conversion parts came from K.R. Wilson Co. of Buffalo, NY. It was restored in the late 1980s by SUNY Oswego students. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
1940s LeJay Electrol
If you bought a brand-new LeJay electric outboard, the company didn’t expect you to need another until the early 1960s. It claimed its outboards were “built to give satisfactory service for 25 years.”
In one of their early brochures, LeJay invited owners to drive to a “favorite lake or stream, take out the car battery and run the outboard as long as (they) wished. Then replace the battery in your car and recharge it as you drive.”
Running condition unknown. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
17′ 1935 Willits Brothers Canoe
This 1935 Willits Brothers canoe is an open style cruising canoe that was raced from 1935-2002. It was built with full length western cedar strips outside and full cedar planking inside instead of the usual ribs with planking outside. In 1972 the bottom planking was rebuilt with marine plywood glued in with glass and epoxy and the exterior was covered with Dynel and acrylic plastic died white. The sailing rig was designed by Thomas Zuk. He and his son Larry both raced this canoe and won American Canoe Association races in it.
Canoe is in rough shape due to years of racing and needs restoration. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
11′ Metal & Wood Dinghy
This dinghy may have been kept on the deck of a large sailing yacht or used as a yacht tender. The hull is of brass or copper and the only identifying mark is a large fleur de lis stamped in the forward floatation tank. Metal hulled boats were first introduced by companies like Mullins. It was originally powered by oars or an outboard motor. It is in poor condition with dents in the hull and rotten wood in several places. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
USS Constitution Model & Purported Fragment
This model of the USS Constitution was made by John H. Fowler in 1938. All 500+ pieces were handmade. The model was built on a one-tenth scale and measures 20 inches long. It won first prize at the Endicott Lions Club’s First Hobby & Craft Exhibition in March 1939. The 3.5” x 2” piece of wood is purported to have been given to a Mr. Porter in 1928 by a worker who worked on the 1927-1931 restoration of “Old Ironsides”. The worker’s name is unknown therefore the origins of the wood fragment cannot be verified. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
Slalom Kayak
This slalom training kayak was the first of six built from the same mold. It was built in 1954-55. Made of fiberglass it has sustained some damage over the years from use. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
15′ 1952 Lyman
The 15’ Lyman outboard runabout model was considered to be the workhorse boat of the Lyman line. The 1952 version was the most popular outboard runabout of all those offered by American boatbuilders. It displays Lyman’s characteristic construction of mahogany and Douglas fir marine plywood on steam-bent oak frames. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
Photos coming soon
1948 Atlas Royal
The Atlas Royal represents the post-World War II boom in the marine industry when every business equipped to handle boats and motors wanted to profit from consumer interest. Atlas Royal motors were marketed by Outboard Marine Corp. through store outlets such as Standard Oil’s Esso and Humble gas stations. Sears, Speigel, and Montgomery Ward were other companies that also sold motors at store outlets. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
Barber Bros. Engine
This 2-stroke Barber Bros. engine was found in the St. Lawrence River and is missing many pieces. It has removable heads which were probably nickel-plated originally and a large flywheel. Due to being found in the River, it is seized. From the Museum’s collection. All proceeds go to the direct care of the collection.
Parking, Shuttle, and Visitor Docking
Parking is available at Lions Field, and any available village street parking. We ask you to be considerate of our neighbors when parking on the street and not block driveways and sidewalks. The ABM Community Parking Lot located at Riverside Dr and Jane St behind Watertown Savings Bank is open to current Friends of the Museum only from Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 4. Limited handicap parking is available in front of the Museum.
A FREE shuttle runs during Boat Show between ABM, Frink Park on Riverside Dr., the Lions Field parking lot (Webb St.), and the Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility (when open). The shuttle hours are 8:30am-5:30pm on Friday and Saturday and 8:30-1pm on Sunday.
Visiting the Show by boat? Visitor docking is not available at ABM’s docks during the Show. Limited docking is available at the Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina and the Village Docks. Learn more about the Municipal Marina here and the Village docks here. Both Village docks (Rotary Park Dock and Mary Street Dock) are available for visitors to dock at in 2024. All boaters must purchase Admission to the Show before proceeding into the Show unless they are only visiting the Marketplace which is free.
2025 Digital Program
Past Boat Show Digital Programs
2024 Digital Program
2023 Digital Program
2022 Digital Program
2021 Digital Program
Click the cover image to view the program.
In 1926, two brothers from Michigan, James and William Welch, took a bold leap into the world of recreational boating. Together, they launched the Century Boat Company, a small shop with big ambitions along the shores of Lake Michigan. Their goal was simple and audacious: build boats that were fast, beautiful, and unforgettable.
One hundred years later, their legacy still thrills us and this summer the Antique Boat Museum is honored to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Century Boats at the 62nd Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction, July 31 – August 2, 2026.
James and William Welch brought complementary strengths to their new venture: James, an engineering mind fascinated by performance, and William, a savvy businessman focused on growth. Together, they built a brand defined by bold ideas and remarkable craftsmanship.
Their very first production model, the Century Kid, debuted shortly after the company’s founding. It was a 14-foot, plank-hulled runabout with seating for three, capable of reaching 35 mph – a thrilling speed for its day. It didn’t just make a splash; it signaled what Century intended to stand for: innovation, style, and performance.
As the company grew, the Welches doubled down on speed. In 1931, Century produced five hulls that went on to set a series of official world speed records, cementing their reputation as one of the fastest names on the water. “The Thoroughbred of Boats” wasn’t just marketing – it was fact.
Through the 1930s and 40s, Century’s designs evolved into sleek, mahogany showstoppers whose chrome accents and polished finishes came to define the golden age of American runabouts. Models like the Sea Maid, Thunderbolt, and Viking radiated sophistication, making Century a status symbol on rivers, lakes, and coastlines across the country.
When the United States entered World War II, Century shifted its entire production to support the war effort. The company built over 3,600 boats under government contract, supplying the U.S. Army and Navy with craft essential to patrol, transport, and training missions.
Their exceptional workmanship and efficiency earned Century the prestigious Army-Navy “E” Award for Excellence in Production, an honor reserved for manufacturers whose output directly strengthened the nation’s wartime capabilities. This period not only showcased the company’s technical skill—it revealed the character and capability behind the Century name.
The 1000 Islands region has always had an affinity for power and polish, making it no surprise that Century boats became summertime fixtures here. Their quick acceleration and reliable handling suited the winding channels of the St. Lawrence, while their gleaming finishes looked right at home tied up at island docks.
Today, Century owners across the region share similar stories: chasing wakes behind a Sea Maid, hearing the growl of an inboard echo off granite cliffs, or stepping onto varnished decks warm from the midday sun. These boats weren’t just recreational vessels; they were part of family traditions.
The story of Century is the story of American ingenuity—from a 14-foot Kid that delighted early customers, to speed records that turned heads worldwide, to wartime production that supported a nation in crisis. Through every chapter, the thread has remained the same: bold design, honest craftsmanship, and a love of the water that the Welch brothers infused into every plank and every hull.
Today, Century boats captivate collectors not only because they’re beautiful, but because they carry stories—of summers, families, speed, and the timeless joy of a wooden boat carving across open water.
Boat Show Video by Cal Lewellyn of Franklin Hill Media
Posters of Previous Boat Shows:
Many of our past posters are available for purchase in the Museum Store in-person or online here.
