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What used to be boat of choice for smugglers in the 70's/80's????

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What used to be boat of choice for smugglers in the 70's/80's????

Old 10-25-2007, 02:56 PM
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Default What used to be boat of choice for smugglers in the 70's/80's????

What were drug runners boats of choice back in the 70's and 80's?????? and what power/drives were they running back then???? I would say a 35 Mistress had to be a favorite.......
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Old 10-25-2007, 02:58 PM
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Old 10-25-2007, 03:04 PM
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The best is any center console with decent power but not appearing that you are running big power to go "fast". The best really is something like a Boston Whaler cuddy or Grady White. Then come in around 7:30 am to the launch ramp. So you look like you where out fishing before work. Evening before supper/dinner is another good time to arrive at launch ramp. Rent storage locker unit and unload there. Look like a fisherman!
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Old 10-25-2007, 04:40 PM
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I heard the 36' Mirage's were known for smuggling?
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Old 10-25-2007, 05:19 PM
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I would guess maybe a Tempest or Scorpion around 32ft with nice power and big hatches.
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Old 10-25-2007, 05:35 PM
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Where's el indio??
Doesn't his Apache have an oversized hatch???
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Old 10-25-2007, 06:07 PM
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Zudnic, you sound like a guy with experience.
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Old 10-25-2007, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Zudnic
The best is any center console with decent power but not appearing that you are running big power to go "fast". The best really is something like a Boston Whaler cuddy or Grady White. Then come in around 7:30 am to the launch ramp. So you look like you where out fishing before work. Evening before supper/dinner is another good time to arrive at launch ramp. Rent storage locker unit and unload there. Look like a fisherman!
This no longer works. About a year ago 2 guys pull in Jupiter in a Jupiter 31. The cop just asked a fishing question, in a panic one guy jumps overboard and tries to swim away. The cuddy held 500 lbs of dope, the cop finds they only had coolers of ice, no rods/ no bait. He was just asking a fishing question like were they biting tonight? Both were arrested, lost the boat, the F350 in forfeiture.

My money would be the big sportfishs/ yachts, rich like you don't have to smuggle. Back in 86-87 a Senator from NJ (John Ignagamort (spelling)) had a big house in Boca. Kid came home in a 55 Hatteras loaded with cocaine. Cops found it and the Senator almost lost his house in the proceedings. From the outside you would think they are just rich, no need to run drugs.
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Old 10-25-2007, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 302Sport
What were drug runners boats of choice back in the 70's and 80's?????? and what power/drives were they running back then???? I would say a 35 Mistress had to be a favorite.......
They were fast but those boats draw a lot of attention. I am sure quite a few loads came that way but the volume came in less conspicuous vessels.
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Old 10-25-2007, 07:09 PM
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Mistresses DO have huge amounts of "storage" space...so do Cafes and TGs, come to think of it....
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