Value of 28SS's
 

With Banana announcing plans to begin producing new 28SS's out of the original molds, what might that do to the value of an original 28SS?

Mine is 95% original, just the engines have been replaced, might these boats be more valuable 100% original, or fully modernized?

Value of 28SS's
 

I own two Banana Boats and was asking myself the same question.

Charlie McCarthy makes a very high quality product, so if anything, it will draw attention to the style.

Normally, it would drive the price down I would think, but in this case, since they will be built "old style" and will look more like a classic boat, than a modern day wave smasher, it should give a potential buyer a reason to buy a 20 or 30 year old boat, since they will look just like a new one? :D

Did I make any sense at all? :(

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

That Sucks, Only Cig should make a 28ss out of the old molds not the Banana Company. I think the value will remain high for the 28ss's. People will always want the original not the Imitation!!!

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Don helped develop the banana boats w/ Charlie McCarthey back in the 70s. He gave the molds and the layup schedule.
The original cig molds may have been destroyed, but Banana has their own molds for the 28 and others.

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Fellas -what are you smoking? As a 28 owner, the value can only go up! :D

Air Dog: Understand & agree with you 100%.

Seriously though -even based on new materials and engine packages, there will always be a value for the classic Cigs.

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

I see, thanks for the info.

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Fellow members:

I also am an owner of a Cigarette 28SS in addition to owning the banana boat co.

I also own a 35 Cigarette, the former Spirit / Benihana race boat, the number 6 boat out of the 35 mold.

Here are my thoughts on this topic for what they are worth.

First only Cigarette can make a Cigarette. There is a tremendous demand for this brand, not copies of this brand, but the actual boat itself made only by this company. Those who want the real thing can only get it from either the factory or the present owners.

My new 28SS will only be made as a single engine boat. Therefore all twins from the past will not be duplicated. Only you will have the original Cigarette twin.

We have already seen the values rise with the older banana boats. Someone told us he had a deal to buy an older banana boat at a certain price. All he had to do is sell his own boat.

When he sold his boat and went back to buy the banana boat, the owner said because of all the activity now, he wanted more money and refused to sell at the agreed price.

I see the same thing happening to the 28SS. The cost for a new 28 from me will be much higher than the used market is currently valuing older 28's. Plus I am only planning one boat per month production.

New buyers who like the look and the buzz in the marketplace but cannot afford new, or can't wait, will only have one place to go....to you, and you will be setting the new price levels. Supply and demand.

As far as original vs modern. I don't think we are in the same arena with automobile collectors that want very original cars. Boats are meant to be used and the boat that will have the highest resale will be the boat that is the most usable.

How many of you out there would want to have a 28 with the original Volvo outdrive set ups or any of the boats that had the 6 cyclinder twins? If you are keeping your boat in great shape anyway, the only way your value is going..... is up.

I couldn't get new 28SS and I really love mine, so that is one of the reasons I decided to do this. Mine is going on 30 years old. I've raced them, cruised them and used them for everything in between. It was just a fantastic design, I don't want to let it die.

The trend in the industry is bigger and bigger. I just happen to love these older designs. I love the classic look. I like a simple boat. I am not criticizing any of the other manufacturers, I just am going in a different direction.

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts and I hope this clears up some of the concerns.

Charlie Mccarthy

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Well said Charlie.
I look forward to seeing your product.

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Thanks for that insight Charlie. Makes me appreciate my 1976 SS just that much more.

Now, if I could find a pair of Bravo assemblies for a price I could afford...

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

charlie,

sounds like a great idea... best of luck in your endeavor.

what speeds are you looking to achieve with 496 power? what type of layup schedule, boat weight, etc? lastly, will the boat have a faring or windshield?

sean

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Sean, thanks.

If you look at a 70's brochure for the whole line, that is exactly what they will look like.

As far as weight and power and speeds, they are secondary issues with me.

The safety of the boat and the passengers are first. The ability of the boat to get home safely through some really big water with no damage will be just what I am looking for.

These boats are designed to be dependable. I know from personal experience about having the fastest most exotic boat and engines. I also can remember how I felt when they wern't working and my plans for a day on the water turned into working on motors or whatever, no fun at all.

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Is there a web site for banana boat co.?

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

Not yet.

If you look in the banana boat forum, you will get a lot of information.

Also look up posts by my son, Chatim Racing, and there is more info there too.

We hope to have a website operating by July.....stay tuned.

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

As an owner of a single engine 27 Cig, the Banana 28 sounds like a great idea, ESPECIALLY in keeping with the classic look. I really hope it comes to be....................But with the size of that boat combined with a single engine I would be worried about speed. I love the classic design of my boat and the 28's, but if I had to pay new boat prices I would expect new boat efficiency and speeds. Of course that means using the "evil" step bottom. I have come to this conclusion after seeing boats larger and heavier than mine, that handle better in the rouph, that have the same power, and are 10 -20 mph faster !!! I have seen guys bang thier head against the wall trying to make the single engine 28' Pantera run fast - classic straight deep vee.

Easy examples are the factory 1 29' Warlocks and 32' Sunsations. They are race layups, and do not have cabins, but my boat is also Don's "racing layup" with no cabin. In my area, a 29 Warlock w/ only 75 more hp runs 92 to my 77. The 32' sunsation with half a cabin and single 600hp (same as me) also runs over 90mph with high x-demension and 5 blade prop. Both of these boats can outrun me in rouph water because of length and weight, even though thier "Vees" are not as deep.

Now, I don't expect everyone to want these speeds, but it speaks volumes to the efficiency of the designs, which translates to better cruise speeds on stock power. Deep vees in this size range cruise much smoother at 60 than they do at 45.

Also, don't discount Reggie's success. Not everyone bought a really fast Fountain, but he sure sold all he could ever build just off the reputation of speed............

I know re-engineering the bottom would add considerably to start up costs, but I just wanted to bring it up in hopes that it is seriously considered (before its shot down:D)

Re: Value of 28SS's
 

I also agree that the value of classic boats will not reach the frenzy it has with classic cars. People just don't drag boats to shows and parking lots on cruise nights, or buy them just leave them in the garage just so they can say they own one - it's just not the same, although I wish it was. My other passion is classic cars, and believe me, I wish old boats were as well appreciated......................

I am restoring a 1973 28ss cigarette boat. does anyone know where I can find pics of the 28ss for paint.

Thanks

This will be cool. My opinion is you should make the boats as modern as possible mechanically, and structurally.

Classic cars are tough to compare. They can still be driven safely, and somewhat reliably, with their old/classic parts. They are also spending their time primarily in the Sonic parking lots, or garages, instead of the highways/city roads getting pounded on. The boats still have to hold up to water conditions and stress from general use, so a lot of that classic equipment hurts the durability of the boat.

If you can vaccuum bag the hulls, that would make a huge difference in performance. Then do whatever "classic" look to the appearance you want. A single engine 28 with a 525 or more would be a FUN ride! :ernaehrung004:

You could swerve off the beat'n path and buy a new 28 Apache, single or twin, bonded with kevlar :party-smiley-004:

Well obviously we have come a long way since this thread first started....first we do have a web site now.... www.bananaboatco.com

Next we started with the 24 foot size to see what would happen with the new lighter layups.....so far we have a 24 with a single 250 HP outboard on a bracket at 67MPH and we have a 28 (30 with bracket) with twin 225 HP outboards at 76 MPH.

All of the above is without touching the original bottom design.

HOWEVER....we are using no wood anywhere and the layup is much different than the original mat and roving.....saves a lot of weight.

SECOND HOWEVER....is the new Statement boat. It runs 128 MPH with 5 people on board with a full tank of gas and a stepped bottom......we are considering some bottom design changes for our boats.

Also we are now focusing on our 39 as the next boat we are going to develop.

I disagree
 

I have to disagree with you neighbor. Charlie is a class guy and will build a great product. Don't forget, MANY of our favorite boats were splashes of other boats; so much of this topic has been discussed in other threads, I won't rehash it.

I have a 28 Cig myself and think it is great news that Charlie is doing an updated Banana.

Barry

there is 1 on ebay right now. I know of a hull in n.ftmyers, that is original and clean on a trailer for sale.

the mi 80a 28SS on Ebay looks very nice, never knew they cam w twin BBCs only thought 350s.
Would you need to pull a motor to change the spark plugs?

They are very tight. I've had both and the small block boats are better balanced.

You will need to change the blood in your brain, after changing the plugs in that boat. That's what it felt like, when I did it. That boat has had twin big blocks in it, since at least 1990. The previous owner said that it came from the factory with them in '86 and they looked like it. It was my old roommate's boat until last year. He didn't winterize it properly and cracked both blocks. He sold it to the current owner and that gentleman put it two fresh engines. It needed them, anyway.