Decision made, Active Thunder/Cigarette
 

Several weeks ago, I started a thread asking for thoughts about the two boats I was considering purchasing: 38’ Cigarette, and 37’ Active Thunder. I received a lot of helpful input, and many of you wanted me to keep you abreast of the decision I had made.

During the last few weeks, I have been on many demo rides. The first of which was on 37’ Active Thunder. This was an outstanding ride, complete with 4’-6’ seas. My next ride was on a Cigarette 38’ Top Gun twin step, followed by a Cigarette 36’ Gladiator. To my surprise, I felt the Active Thunders had a better ride, and handling.

I thought, “MY GOD MAN, HOW COULD THIS BE?!” After all, this was the legendary Cigarette. I have owned both Cigarette, and classic Donzis. I was so surprised by this that I began to doubt my previous conclusion about the Active Thunder, and requested another ride from Active Thunder.

I have been boating nearly my whole life. I have delivered sail and motor boats up and down the East Coast for many years. I hold a Coast Guards Masters license. I am not an expert, but I do feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of what type of ride I can expect from various sea conditions. I have no doubt that the Active Thunder will prove outstanding in any seas I care to venture into with a vessel of this size.

Many of you have commented that the rigging, fit and finish not being as quality as Cigarette; however, I have found just the opposite. The older models, in my opinion, were rigged with average equipment at best. A lot of plastic hardware was used, as well as a very basic cabin and cockpit design. The new models (2002) are quite different. The hardware has been upgraded, as well as the cabin and cockpit design. The rigging is top of the line. One of my original requirements was to have a cabin with amenities. Some comments were made that I either wanted an off shore boat, or I didn’t, and that perhaps a Sea Ray would be better. Cigarette appears to be the only company NOT offering such amenities. Outerlimits, Fountain, Powerplay, etc… all offer boats with cabin amenities. This is in no way a dig against Cigarette; they just don’t seem to cater to my needs, as well as others who have the same desires.

Some of you have mentioned that you had purchased an Active Thunder because it was the best boat for the value. Value was not an issue for me. I gladly would have purchased a Cigarette had it filled all my requirements; however, it did not. Those being a 37’-38’ step hull with 500EFI, that would run in the mid to high 80’s, have a great ride, have a cabin with all the amenities, top of the line rigging, and an outstanding fit and finish. Active Thunder met all my requirements.

Thank you all for your input. It was very much appreciated, and critical in my decision. The fact that Pat and Steve paid for breast implants for my girlfriend had absolutely nothing to do with my decision, but that’s another thread.

I look forward to seeing all of you out there. I’ll be the one with the redhead with double D’s.

And the name of the new boat will be????

Everyone remember, that will be SkyPirate who has the redhead with the double D's, not H20 Warrior!:D Redheads rule!:cool:

Congrats on your decesion. I went through the exact same process, with the exact same boats and casme up with the exact same result. Great boat, and welcome to the Active Thunder family. Have you thought of a name yet? When is your boat going to be done. I hope you can make it on the Thunder run in October if not I am sure we can make room for your girlfriend and I guess you:p ;) ;) on the Thunderstorm if it is not ready. Again, wise choice and look forward to seeing some pictures of your graphics as well as meeting you.

ThunderDan, I read where you said you stopped at AT this past week to take a look at your boat. I know you made some last minute changes but is the boat further along than the pictures on AT's website show? I will be visiting AT on 4/23 and really want to see a boat with the new interior complete.

rough,

It was jassman that was at the factory this past week. And yes, my boat is much further along than the pictures. If you are at the factory on the 23 I am pretty sure my boat will be done. I will also be there that evening to check her out, hopefully demo and play, so you will be able to see the cabin in it's complete stage. That is if it is still there and not on its way to New Jersey. I do have one rule though, just ask Troutly, NO ****IN SHOES IN MY BOAT. :p :D :D :D ;)

So I got you and Jassman mixed up! I got it NO SHOES ON THE BOAT! I won't break the Head in for you either. Anyway, I have been planning on going down on 4/23 for about a month now and was hoping to hit it right to see your boat complete. Steve has already got my deposit but just wanted to see the new interior in person! I also have to talk to Steve and Pat about how were going to fit the 900sc motors in under the hatch.

Sweet, have you started to work on the graphics yet. When is your boat going to be done. The shoes thing was more of a bust on troutly, but then again I am awful anal about my boat. What motors are you putting in the boat? ;) Man, there are gonna be a boat load of 37 runnin around, cool:cool: :cool:

I was just ****'n about the 900sc motors! I know you and Jassman are putting some big power in your boats so I was just seeing if I would get your attention. Graphics, just tossed a few things around with Steve. When will it be done? Not sure yet we are in no hurry since were having a baby in July so that pretty much takes care of boating this summer! I just want it to be done for next year. Motors? 496 HO's I like the durability and the dependability I think this package will provide. Not to say others don't. But when I started looing for boat I wanted something in the 38' range that did 75-80MPH. I was shocked to find out I could hit that speed with 496 HO's in a 37 AVH. I like speed but I will also have two kids aboard. Steve has us posted in the AT web-sit, our boat name is FAST FORWARD!

Roughstuff,

Cool, those 496ho in that 37 surprised the hell out of me as well. I love the reliability and the way they pushed the boat I was amazed. I hear ya about the kids, I have two as well, 7 and 5. My little one always says faster, daddy faster. I doubt they will ever see much over 80 mph when they are aboard. I am real careful when I have that kind of precious cargo on board. Congrats on your new boating Pal. That cabin will surely make it nice for you and your family. What drives are you getting. If you ever want more power you can always whipple em down the road. I will check out the graphics.:D

Skypirate, we told you so!!!! But nooo you had to find out for yourself. Great choice! Welcome to the AT family.:) :D

Thunderdan, if you checked AT's website you probably found our name FAST FORWARD posted but no graphics yet. I'm just tossing a few things around with Steve at this point. What drives? Bravo XZ! So you have two little ones too! That's one of the reason I like the AT so well. Great freeboard for kid safety. We are getting the center fill cushsion to convert the settes into a "playpen" for the kids. Basically we wanted the comforts of a cruiser and the speed of a performace boat and I thought AT had the best combination. We had a 28' Sunsation when my daughter was born and just didn't have enough room so we bought a cruiser. I loved the amenties and the room in the cruiser but it was way to S L O W, we even called it
S L O W M O T I O N. The lack of speed and the ride drove me nuts. Thus, the decision to go to a larger performance boat. Hopefully, we got it right this time.

Good choice Skypirate....I know first hand that you will be very very pleased with your desicion.

(I sure hope PAt put a little extra zing in those rebuilt motors for me so I can stay with all you new big dogs
;) :D )

Todd

Congrats SKYPIRATE, I too looked at PP, Sonic, OL, Donzi, and Cig, and after 9mos of reserch, obviously you know which way I went. It has been a great experience working with a bunch of class acts, and the fricken boat speaks for itself. Its great to have Heritage, Better to have quality, AND better knowing you have the best money can buy and the individual service and warranty to back it up, NO OTHER BOAT MANUFACTURER does it better than these guys, see ya on the water, and hopefully at the THUNDER RUN:D ----Jeff Jassby

roughstuff,

That is one of the great attrributes of the Thunder, that high freeboard. When I bought my 25 that was one of the reasons. I brought my son with me, who was 4.5 years old, and he was in the boat up to his shoulders. Made me feel that they were all safe. I am also getting the center fill cushions to turn it into a bed, so you should be able to check it out when you go down to AT.

Todd,

I did hear that those motors now have a little extra juice in them. Are you still trying to sell Best Revenge?

skypirate, MOST Excellent. Can't wait to see you in that new AT at the Thnuder Run.

I agree with Tbikini, Red Heads Rule:D Appears from your post you think so as well:rolleyes:

Congrats SkyPirate!
 

And welcome to the Active Thunder Gang. You've chosen a great boat.
Please keep us "abreast" of her progress, and feel free to post pics. ;)

Skypirate,
Great choice.

Roughstuff,
Looking forward to seeing your graphics.

Todd, I will be going to AT on 4/23 and hopefully play around with some graphics idea's with Steve. I'm looking forward to seeing a complete boat with the new interior. I'm expecting the new interior to be top notch. Dan already warned me about the shoes. The list of new 37's to be built is starting to get longer and longer. I see Sky Pirate hit the AT web-site so well be keeping an eye for his graphics also.

Hey RoughStuff, I talked with Dan, its ok, you can wear your shoes, you wont hurt his pirelli flooring:p talk to ya later:D

Keep it up JJ, remember I will be down on 4/23 as my boat leaves, yours will be there all alone, all suseptible to my whims, lol. Oh and that pirelli floor is protected by some nice plush cockpit carpet...:D :D

AND NO SHOES ALLOWED ON THE THUNDERSTORM:( :( ;) :D

Thunderdan, boat shoes are meant to be worn on boats...think i'll drive down there and ask to walk all around your boat, inside and out, and all over the deck!

Screamin,

You must be very brave. :D Boat shoes are meant to be worn on blow boats, not real boats. Steve has promised to honor my requests about no shoes on my boat, he also promised me that he would"take care of anyone" who attempts this. So if you want to tempt him, go ahead....:D :D

Dan, sounds like I will probably see you at AT on 4/12. My flight gets in at 10:00 am and back out again at 7:10 pm. Oh, I'll bring my BOAT shoes!

Dont worry Rough Stuff, Steve aint that much of a tough guy:p

Roughstuff, how are you gonna meet TD at AT in the 12th when its already the 13th:confused: Just curious :D

Hey, you bought one of those AT's didn't you? Are you sure you know what you're doing ? All those detractors out there who have not ridden in a 37 AVH, seen the new cabin or hardware are obviously making totally educated comments. How could you possibly have put you're money down on one of those things.

I bet its for some of the same reason I, TD, JJ, SkyPirate and others have. The boat is truly incredible and Pat and Steve are great to work with.

I just had to say something. Those guy's really get to me sometimes

They have been fooled, we have ridden in their boats, very nice, but none of them in ours. If A.T. didnt ride as good as the Cigarette or Sonic I would have bought one of those boats. A.T. won hands down, along with the new cabins, trick stuff, lifetime warranty, cool owners that give you the ability to get exactly what I wanted. Heritage is nice, but not over performance, and knowing you having an exclusive boat with great resale:D They will find out later on this year:p

chevrolet had heritage before lexas didn't they? now whos in the limelight?

H2O, This is how it works, when you fly from MI to FL you actually go through a time warp and arrive at a time that has already past. You mean you didn't know that. Actually, I obviously fat fingered the date. I'm actually going down to AT on 4/23. I visited AT once already on 2/26, and went for a ride. I worked a deal out with Steve, but wanted to visit again to see the new interior. I have read some things on this thread and a few other threads knocking AT. However, I have read alot more positive comments than negative. I have always been the type that buys what makes me happy and don't worry about what others think. The bottom line is I'm happy and confident in my decision and I don't need to convince anybody else. There are a number of great boats out there and it sure would be a boaring if everybody had the same boat.

Thought: what is better, the Lincoln or the Cadillac?

Depends what were talking about, cars, trucks, SUV's?

The GENERAL's got my vote:D

I think in trucks and SUVs Ford has the General hands down. Look at the sales numbers Ford generates with one brand name versus the General with two.

If you got rid of the two choices, Chevy and Gmc and had one, they would go over to one side of the gm brand. Last year Chevy and Gmc combined sold more pick ups than Ford.. Suburban and Tahoe, outsold Expedition and Excursion, we have all 4 in the yard, and I truely like them all, we just have had less problems with Gm, and they seem to tow better, more power. Ford looks tougher, but rides and handles for crap. I still like the powerstroke, but the new Duramax is like knight and day, smoother, much quietier, 95 more hp, slight more useable torque, and the smoothest, powerfull Alison tranny that I love. This is why I have switched over to GM vs Ford, both have their good points, but for us less maintence, and ease of hauling 7-12,000 pounds.:D

Jassman, you are absolutely correct on you figures Chevy, GMC vs. Ford. GM has made up alot of ground in the passed two or three years in trucks and SUV's.

RoughStuff, we have them all, and I do feel Ford makes a macho kinda rough n tuff looking truck, but when comparing 3/4 tons, the Ford is lacking in power, ride, interior size, the heighth of the tailgate is 11'' higher, harder to get stuff in as well as stepping into the cab. The pumkins on the 4x4 sits 2" lower, I just dont care for their suspensions. They have been the benchmark for many years and well deserved, Gm just has stepped up to the plate within the last 5 years and I feel is now making a better vehicle across the board. We also have 2000 excursion and expedition, both fine vehicles, but does not compare to our Gmc Yukon XL Denali, in refinement, power, the only diff. is the Excursion is larger but the interior use of space is not all cracked up by the amount of usable cargo and passenger space, the gm is more usable. Again these are my obsorvations, we buy new vehicles personally and for the corp. on a yearly basis, I am not brand loyal and when Ford or Dodge steps up to the plate I will switch over, but right now, to us GM is the clear winner, and has been for a few years.:cool:

If you take a look at the type of trucks that Ford is selling compared to GM to achieve these sale numbers it will surprise you.

Ford pads their sales numbers with low priced, stipped down F-150s. Our locals Ford dealers have lots full of these trucks with nothing more then an Auto, V6, Air and Cassette. That's it, zero. It just goes w/ out saying if your moving trucks for $13,900 that more people with little money are going to buy them.

GM sells a lot more trucks that are equipped. I see this in my accessory business every day.

I say this in reference to the half ton trucks.

Buck
#183

Jassman, I'm very pleased to hear you are happy with our GM products. Hopefully, we will continue to exceed our customer expectations. Lots of good product in the pipline to be launched in the near future.

Great, I will be looking for a 4 wheel steering 3/4 ton , 4dr in either the 8.1 or Duramax, with Allison, towards end of year. I will be getting rid of probably the 2000 Z-71 and the Ford Expedition and Excursion. What do you do ROUGHSTUFF in the exciting world of Automobiles:D

There is no way I am wading in any deeper on this one:D