.3

.4

And for last!

oupps!!! sorry Robert I might of walked in on your posting!

The engines were Merc 500 hp's

This was the start of really little to no maintainence engines.
They were again more efficient than the number III boat and were "only" sucking less than 80GPH at wide open. This boat had FlowScan fuel flow meters and the dash was still the original style with nothing on the passenger side, but the floscans. Also it still had the lighted rocker switches for all the various functions and lights and so forth.
It was neat, I went faster, burned less gas, and had less maintainence doing it. What more could a guy want....

Last one of Rice Hauler IV
BTW just in case anyone wants to know this and the last pic of RH IV were taken at TGI Friday's in the Radisson Basin at Lake Erie.
If you need a place to stay and want to dock the boat out back this is a perfect spot. And you can just walk around the boardwalk to TGI's.
Best
Rice Hauler

Dynamite boats Rice Hauler!

LS JR.

Well we come to Rice Hauler V

Well after you get low maintainence, fuel economy and a little speed. The only thing that a guy wants is just to go a little faster....
Rice Hauler V came originally with HP 500's and then Phil came up with the "Zul Dog" package
Zul 560's pushing 625hp apiece.
So after a year of cruising 70 and doing nearly 85 tops we repowered her with the Zul Dogs and away we went...
This was the first Twin Step designed by Michael Peters of Michael Peters Yacht Design. And it was a Home Run in my opinion.
The ride attitude got even flatter (nearly dead flat at cruise) and the rough water handling and ride were superb. This was a great experience in what more Torque and Horsepower can do for boat handling, speed and ride.
BTW this was the first boat that I came up with the paint theme and then worked with Harold to arrive at the final design....

One other item this and the other running shots were taken in the afternoon off the coast of Miami between the Biscayne Lighthouse and Government Cut. This was the series that ended up being used by Cigarette in thier print ads and the back cover of the Catalog. Jerry Wyszatcki of Avatar was the photographer and believe me it's not my driving that makes the shots to good it's the Photographer and the Helicopter Pilot.
Best,
Rice Hauler

Here is the Lincoln Commercial with Robert's boat.

http://www.llsoc.com/Videos/Cigarette.rm

Backtracking a little here's a pic of the 2000 Rice Hauler IV with the merc HP 500's.
The boat ran all day at 70-75 and could be coaxed to 80 on the GPS.
The things I learned about stuff like "Lab Finished" props and "Custom Dock Lines" and "GPS" and other cool stuff like that.
But the low/no maintainence thing was the best.
Just change the Oil and service the drives and you went boating everyday....
Best,
Rice Hauler

Here's a pic of the engines in Rice Hauler V
The Zul's were about 1/3 even more efficient than the HP 500's and put out gobs more torque and horsepower. Just as Maintainance free. (The Oil never got dirty)
To put this in some perspective. Coming back from Key West we could cruise 65-75 the whole way and still have 20-30 gallons left in the tank when we got back to spinnaker. The Merc 575's and hp 500's that followed would follow along had to fill at Gilberts to get back through Biscayne Bay.
More Horses, a lot faster and still no engine maintainance. that's boating. if you ask me.
Best
Rice Hauler

GLH,
Thanks for the extra pics and links. I'm such a neophyte at this posting thing that i'll take all the help I can get.
Yes, the number 5 boat seemed to get a lot of publicity but number 4 was just as well covered. I'll try and dig up some more pics of that one.
Also with each one I have had the chance to learn more and more. little things like the switch from Latham to Marine Machine throttles and also the upgrade from single to dual trim on the throttles.
Going to 5 blade props from 4 blades and trying Herings and Hydromotives. How The extra blades change the ride attitude and also the "traction" that you pick up with them. As they say "it's all good".
Best to all,
Rice Hauler

Great pics Rice Hauler! You are a lucky man to have enjoyed so many fine Ciggies!

Rice Hauler V has got to be the best looking Top Gun of all time. Sweeet looking and classy.Just beautiful !

Kurt :cool:

Rice Hauler,
You have had some awesome boats. I like number 5 the best though. But they all look good.

Rice - nice collection of cigs!

Taught I'd bring this back.

Done shopping.

:cool:

Great thread!!!!:cool: :cool:

2.........so far...:) :cool:

1st one.........

Just bought my first one now that I turned forty and am old and slowing down. In the last 23 years of boating I only owned CATS, so if Cigarette made a cat I would have owned one sooner. My first vee and I have owned it for 4 months and have not had it in the water yet. Waiting for the ice to melt here in WI. Hope I didn't make a mistake in buying a Tiger from the FL show. I have never been in a vee. I did give up 38 MPH, will let you know if I still own a vee next year.

My First

My Second

How fast?

My first

Sweet ride :cool: :cool:

LS JR.

First Cigarette - 2000 Top Gun 600SC XR drives

Second Cigarette - 1999 Tiger 900SC and #6 drives
More power = more air.

My first cigarette
 

2004 Gladiator lip ship edition w/800 zul racing motors

OSG .... thats a great pic !!!

How many hours so far ???

Keep us posted on drive life ..... I'm always "intrigued" with big power / bravo combinations !?!?!?!?

JM

Hey JM
I have about 30+ hrs on it.
I will keep up updated on the hrs & drives

Rick OSG

2nd CIG
 

1st Cafe
2nd Top Gun

Rob, you be the man! Only the factory has had more Cig boats than you!!!

Looks good Rick !!!!

JM:cool:

I have owned 2 Cigarettes
 

First was a 91 bullet with 550 blower motors. I had some problems with the older bravos and broke two cam shafts.:(
Second was a 01 Playboy with XR drives adn 500 EFI's.

The Bullet had great acceleration and would top out at 78. The Playboy was an incredible boat, The boat flew level and was an awesome rough water boat. The 500 EFI's never gave me any trouble. My next boat will either be a Gladiator or a Dragon!

91 bullet
 

Tres did all of the updates on this boat!

Dash
 

Dash

Bullet Cockpit

2001 Playboy
 

Playboy

Playboy

A little air
 

Air