My Monterey

Open Ocean Bow Rider Cruising in a Monterey

There was no other boat in sight. No land to see off in the distance. Nothing. I was alone on the Atlantic Ocean about 11 miles off the coast of South Florida, heading to Bimini in the Bahamas Islands chain. The boat’s sounder had stopped reading the water depth long ago. My cell telephone no longer had a signal. I had the VHF on channel 16 and heard other boaters, but they were beyond my horizon. I slowed to idle to take it all in. I spun the boat around a full 360 degrees and saw water in every direction. No land. No boats. No people. I was very, very happy.

The waves really were not bad at all. It was the a sea of broad spacing swells between the 5’ to 6’ high that allowed me a rather gentle cruise to an some what offshore island. The boat slowly would rise and fall on these Gulf Stream swells under my keel.

This little cruising adventure was a long-held dream of mine. I had been to the Bahamas several times, but always on other people’s boats. This time the good ship was mine. The Monterey bowrider that I had taken delivery of in Miami earlier in the month had been equipped. I’d also tested it for over 20 hours on short trips around the greater Miami area as I closely followed the weather forecast, waiting for the right day.

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.

Formula FX4 (boat one) 2011 boat in test tank

This is the 2011 Formula Powerboats 290 FX4, the first model of its new FX Series.

Formula FX4 performance, fully powered by Twin 377 MerCruiser® Bravo III engines, attains top speed at 57 mph along with all the stability and handling characteristics of Formula Sun Sport’s proven 22-degree deadrise design.

The revolutionary FX concept blends spectacular eye appeal inspired by Formula’s legendary FAS3TECH performance line together with their popular day boating design of Sun Sports and Super Sports. The series will include the Formula 290 FX4, 310 FX5 and 350 FX6.

Silver Diamond Metallic Imron covers the entire surface of the 290 FX4 above the water line, including the deck and full cockpit, so that sunlight plays over the varying angles and planes with uniquely fascinating results. The bold graphics in high gloss red and satin black emphasize the excitement and exhilaration of FX sport boating.

The FX4 retains all the plus factors of the 290 Sun Sport introduced by Formula in 2010. The spacious cockpit features an adjustable dual helm seat and port lounge forward along with an L-shaped lounge and table arrangement aft that, with filler cushions, becomes a large sunpad.

The striking difference in the FX4 cockpit is its unique décor.

In the cabin a lounge with lumbar sections offers comfortable relaxation. The high-gloss, Deep Cherry wood dinette table lowers to create a sleeping berth with filler cushions. There is a Deep Cherry entertainment center with Corian® counter and stainless cup holders, while the hanging locker offers ample storage. The molded head compartment is complete with a porcelain unit, molded vanity with sink and demand water system. The 22-gallon holding tank provides for dockside pumpout.

seabuddy takes some of these important message points as true.

…This may be the most important message you will read before buying a new boat: Count on the strength and stamina of Chaparral Boats. In today’s fast changing economic times, the name on the hullside is as important as the boat itself. The fact is you’re not just buying a boat, you’re buying a company. There’s power in the name Chaparral. Long lasting power. Innovative power. Our story started 44 years ago. A trophy case full of awards for Product Excellence and a globe full of satisfied customers prove our worth. And we’re not going anywhere but fast forward with a passion that grows year after year. Respected the world over, the same core management team has steered the ship since day one. Like you, they are onboard because boating isn’t just a business, it’s a way of life. Our balance sheet is strong, our dedication to new product development unwaivering. You simply can’t buy more confidence in a boat company than Chaparral. Chaparral for 2010…Strength And Stamina Now and For the Future….

“Respected the world over, the same core management team has steered the ship since day one. Like you, they are onboard because boating isn’t just a business, it’s a way of life. Our balance sheet is strong, our dedication to new product development unwaivering”

True words. 

Ask if your boat builder can say these same words.

Don Aronow driving his wood racer to a world record powered by a GM V-6 diesel souped up and marinized by Daytona Marine

an early Magnum Marine 27 still named Magnum - Donzi when mercruiser used ford engines

Magnum 35 race stripped down with direct shaft drive holman - moody, competition proven, ford engines

A famous ad for Magnum Marine once they moved up to building yachts

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. 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  Racer, etc.   

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). 

Now Magnum Marine is working on their biggest yacht yet. In 2012 Magnum Marine expects to have their trend setting 100’ yacht ready. That yacht is expected to run three engines totaling 7,800 in Hp through three Arneson Surface Drives reach light load speeds in the low 60 mph range. Magnum Marine and Arneson Surface Drives have made many boat and yacht marriages together. I have sea trialed that combo and its works exceptionally well. Currently, Magnum Marine gives out specs of LOA 95’, beam 20’ and a weight of 147,000 lbs for the 2012 Magnum Marine 100’.

drawing of the 100' Magnum Marine 2012 Yacht

note that the trim tabs control the boat at speed as the hull is barely in the water

She is a classic but not one of the very first models that Don Arronow brought to market when he started Donzi Marine in 1964

Its all business in this cockpit

She is still the Classic Rough Water go fast runabout. She has the two strake, 24 degree deep v that is the way to go fast but smooth when its choppy or when the seas are building up. Yes, a deep v takes more power than a flat bottom to run fast, but give the hull that power, and she can take that speed and keep going even when its rough. And the white caps are showing.

In calm water, most similar powered runabout boats will beat her in a race. So if its flat calm where you boat, do not consider this one.

You control this boat with the steering wheel and the trim tabs settings. Get the best steering choice possible and K-Planes brand trim tabs with a mechanical read –out panel on the dash.

here the trim tabs are pushing mor of the hull into contact with the water

Get the new 430 Hp Mercruiser 502 engine with a Mercruiser Bravo I x drive for speeds around 34 mph at only 2,500 rpm or almost 60 mph at 4,000 rpms. Top speed often comes with a 27” pitch prop and depending on load and the kind of weather day you will get 76-79 mph at over 5,200 rpms WOT. 80 mph is only seen on a speedometer, not on a GPS gauge, BTW.

hold on using the bar under your feet while the trim tabs are set for speed

Walk away from anyone that suggests the Mercruiser 377 package with a Bravo I.

Tabs can assist in a turn, too

LOA 22’ 6” beam 7’ 0” and around 3,400 lbs. Seats 5, and stows very little.

yup

take a look at the extended add-on swim platform and engine box cover

A Sea Ray bowrider boat is all about the interior cockpit and add-on swim platform. If that does not WOW you, then the boat fails as a consideration for your family.

It’s the smallest Sea Ray available with a power steering V-6 engine. That makes it a fine tow boat for a family and its water sports; like tubing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and water skiing. This is a Chevrolet based car engine marinized by Mercury Marine for Sea Ray using marine parts and adding a Mercruiser Alpha I model sterndrive to make up the power package. With this engine you automatically get power steering so every member of the family can steer the boat and the reliability and have the ease of a Mercruiser power package. Marine parts, like a marine exhaust manifold, are always easy to find with a Mercury Marine product.

storage under the bench seat in front of the engine room

This Sea Ray has an LOA of 19’ 8” including the add-on swim platform. A big percentage of that LOA is in that water access swim area and engine room. The water access is important to a Sea Ray owner of this boat, as is the feeling of the high grade of finish in the main cockpit.

With the V-6 top power added to this size boat featuring a medium vee running bottom shape and you will see speeds in the high 40s every day you take her out for a spin. This package is a low cost boat insurance and boat loan rig, too.

lots of engine access on the bucket seat cockpit option

She has been a Sea Ray brand, Best Selling Model for a number of years now.

Short comings? The lack of room and comfort for the folks seating up in front of the windshield. Its almost more fiberglass than vinyl cushions up there to Chris Brown or seabuddy’s eye.

needs more seat cushion area and less exposed fiberglass area to seabuddy's eye

This is the cheapest set-up that Bayliner boats and Mercury outboards offers. That is its reason for being. In Chris Brown (seabuddy) opinion that is not a good enough reason to buy it.

Perhaps a new – to – boating family are looking for a boat at a budget. This one should be in the $15,000 range once the family gets the 90 Hp Mercury Marine engine, Sun Top, and the bow and cockpit canvas covers that every boater needs.

That is perhaps a reason to look at it.

A family will want the 90 Hp Mercury Marine engine for all around use. There is no question about that. Figure on “kids only” water sports, not Mom or Dad with the standard engine. Also, you must keep any friends on the pier with the small standard engine. No satisfaction in either of these situations. Buy it, dislike the boating experience, and that’s it. Boats and boating is out of your life until the grandkids come along. Figure on a 18 – 20 mph cruising speed and very low fuel consumption. The standard engine will break 30 mph at WOT and the optional 90 Hp Mercury Marine out board engine will go much faster – she will break 40 mph easily and that’s with a family onboard.

Set your budget at $25,000 and get a Bayliner boat and Mercury inboard outboard, sterndrive V-6 engine with standard power steering and the Mercury Marine Mercruiser Alpha I sterndrive in a Bayliner 185 and the family has a good starter boat package and one that will bring years of exploring, cruising, and everyone gets to do ALL the water sports for years to come. Lots of family fun and go boating is a joy.

 BTW, marine exhaust manifolds and other marine parts are widely available for all these Mercury Marine engines.

note the optional sun top shown

185 Bayliner with sterndrive offers more seating

Seabuddy boat test of the new Mercruiser Mercury Marine engine from seabuddy. First on-the-water boat test.

Mercruiser now owns the tooling to make the former Chevrolet 502 engine. They use this engine in their Mercury Racing division for Mercury Marine Mercruiser Racing engines from 525 Hp, 600 Hp, 662 Hp, and 700 Hp.

Now they (Mercury Marine Mercruiser) have discontinued their two versions of the, made by Chevrolet, 496 engine and offer this Mercruiser Mercury Marine 502 engine in family boat, sport boat power outputs of 380 Hp and 430 Hp.

Thus, Mercury Marine has invented a new family boat engine for 2010. Any 496 Mercury Marine Mercruiser powered boat has a now discontinued engine powering it. There is inventory out there at boat dealers, but that is about it. Seabuddy has not heard of a program to offer extra discounts on the discontinued Mercury Marine 496 inventory yet.

Volvo, still uses their on-hand inventory of Chevrolet made 496 engines at 375 Hp and 420 Hp for 2010 and the foreseeable future. They bought all the on-hand inventory from Chevrolet to keep Volvo in stock on engines. Volvo will have to make a change in the future once their on-hand inventory of 496 engines runs out. But that future change in a boat model year down-the-road is not yet public information.

All new family and sport versions of the 502 Mercury Marine Mercruiser engine require two Catalytic Converters, but  any 496 engine is exempt from needing Catalytic Converters for 2010 except for CA boats. The 525 Hp, 600 Hp, 662 Hp, and 700 Hp Mercury Racing engines do not need catalytic converters as they are over the Hp ceiling (500Hp) that federal law requires Catalytic Converters be used under.

How does she run?

Better, faster,  acceleration from about 2,700 rpms on up. A huge amount of torque that is the reason for continuously pushing speed numbers forward FAST on up to 4,200 rpm for the 380 Hp Mercury Marine Mercruiser and to just over 4,700 rpms on the 430 Hp version with its different, upgraded  internal parts like the camshaft. She is a Smoothy, too, some how the balance of Mercury Marine Mercruiser engine with the Mercury Marine Mercruiser Bravo III x drive and Mercury Marine Mercruiser prop set marry with the 7,500 lb big Cobalt boat and deliver a new level of smoothness to seabuddy.  Not that much else is different by seabuddy seat-of-the-pants.

Yes, she holds her grip on very solid water bite to the props in more violent turns. A big improvement really, but how often does a family boater whip a 30 foot plus boat around a slalom cross type turns? Boat testers do, as we want to see what is either a strong or weak point in a rig under test conditions. Here, it’s the Mercury Marine Mercruiser prop set and the ideal, precise  way the boat builder has dialed in this package.

And the Mercury Marine Mercruiser is quiet. That feature should be attributed to the new Exhaust system using the two catalytic converters. Get a switch able exhaust and the sound gives off that level of sound that  is music to a performance boat owner’s ear.

Top speed was 50 mph in a quick, short run this day, but there should be another mile an hour or two available if you take the time for a longer run on a higher hour Mercury Marine Mercruiser package (say about 50 hours on the engine hour meter). We were three aboard with and some fuel on this day. Add another 12 mph to the 50 – 52 mph in this boat if you buy a twin Mercury Marine Mercruiser package.

Our boat test was a 296 Cobalt bow rider boat that measures 30 feet 2 inches with a 9 foot 5 inch beam for a generous 8’ 8” interior beam in the cockpit. She was a big, roomy bow rider, quick in the water for the helmsman and a luxury soft ride for the passengers.