Cigarette Top Gun 2011 Racing Boat

Don Aronow started Magnum Marine around 1966 after he sold Donzi Marine on 188^th Street in Miami, FL (Thunderboat Row), which he had brought to market after he sold Formula Marine in 1964. Cigarette came along as a business with a production boat in 1970.

Later, Don Aronow also started Cary Marine, Cigarette Racing Team, SquadronXII, and USA Racing Team. He also designed the first Apache powerboat. Finally he ran some experimental outboard powered racing boats, a Cat or two, an unconventional Unlimited Class Racer, and it goes on and on.

Back to Cigarette. Aronow built a 32 foot boat in late 1968 – early 1969, but a non-compete clause in his sales contract concerning his sale of Magnum Marine prevented him from saying it was his boat compnany. So, the first boat was built by a company run (or at least in name) by Don’s insurance agent, Elton Cary and Cary Marine. The individual boat, however, could be named without any conflict, and here Don showed his future plans as he called that first one “The Cigarette”.    

Get a copy of Michael Aronow’s book (ISBN 0-945903-22-7) to really follow Don Aronow’s life and boat racing / boat building career. Its now a rare book, but a copy surfaces once in a while.

Chris Brown / seabuddy got as far as taking a sea trial in a 27’ Magnum twin small block Mercruiser with Alpha Mercruiser sterndrives before he came to the conclusion that it just was not a fast enough boat for him (she did top speeds in the mid 50 mph range). 

This 38 Top Gun pictured Cigarette is the top speed and style leader in seabuddy’s/ chris brown’s book for 2011 boat models.

Nearly out-of-the-water ride attitude of the Formula Fas Tech 353

Formula offers both the 496 based engines from Mercruiser or at about $6,000 extra (built using the 502 tooling that Mercury Racing bought from Chevrolet) the “new” 502  Mercruiser 430 Hp engines. Why the price difference? The cost of the Catalytic converters in the marine exhaust manifold that the 502s require while the 496s via a quirk in the Emissions rules, do not need these in their marine exhaust manifold (except CA). The 496s are discontinued by Mercruiser and are no longer in production at Mercury Marine, so you may not have the choice as the 496 supply at Mercury Marine runs out of stock.

Note the two hull steps and the bottom notch at the transom

The 353 Formula Fas Tech high performance pleasure boat is a true full 24 degree deep v hull, with two steps that run athwartships across the running surface of the hull bottom. Properly designed and located hull steps add speed to a fast running boat. Figure on at least a 5% on increase in top speed compared to a non-stepped bottom.

Make sure that the limber hole (lower left) is encapsulated in fiberglass, not just thick paint

Note the bold paint colors and patterns that Fas Tech Formula boats offer at extra money. Also, at a minimum add-on a toilet, Corsa exhaust, trim tabs with trim indicators, covers and a bimini.

A 2010 Formula 353 Fas Tech 35’ 3” boat will show a retail price of about $285,000. Too much? Go with a shorter 29’ 2” model that is lighter by about a ton with Mercruiser 377 engines and the lower cost Bravo I drives to cut out about $90,000. But driving a small block Mercury Marine powered offshore boat is a far different experience than a 353 Formula. Try both in a sea trial for yourself but chris brown, seabuddy thinks that you will go the way of the longer, heavier boat with the big blocks.

The deck to hull joint is waterproofedwith mastic

Thur bolted cleats with a backing plate - the best

A Formula bow rider boat, boat trailer, and a Mercury Mercruiser V-8 for under $100,000 is available today. Some are way under. The boat options and the Merc engine and inboard outboard drive choices do much to drive your price.

Adding the biggest small block Mercury Mercruiser engine adds about $7,000 to a base, but nicely equipped and rather hi-tech, built boat. A Bimini is $1,385 and a cockpit and bow cover is $1,275. Now finish off the cockpit with some carpet at $555 and a head with dockside pumpout at $625. Pick a trailer and you are ready for getting on the water in a nice wakeboarding and other water sports bow rider boat. She makes an excellent ski boat.

SunDance Marine Authorized to Short Sale all Inventory!
• SunDance Marine to accept bids on all existing inventory below invoice cost.
• All Purchases must be cash or pre-approved financing.
• All engine and manufacturer warranties remain in effect.
• All 2007, 2008 and 2009 existing Inventory, as equipped.
• Manufacturers include Wellcraft (including Scarab models), Silverton, Regal, Formula, Ocean, Venture
• Program authorized for existing inventory only and will not be approved on new orders.
• Program covers all SunDance Marine, Inc. inventory as of July 1, 2009, and listed on SunDance Marine website:

www.sundancemarineusa.com