Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Just thought some of you might like to see what happened all those years ago to the ex Bob Magoon Kiekhaefer Aeromarine cigarette. It became I Like It Too, see picture, driven by englishman Charles Gill. He won the 1976 Cowes Torquay COwes race, beating Ken Cassir (who a year later won the same event in the cougar cat Yellowdrama III) into second and Tom Gentry into third (35' cig American Eagle). I Like It Too later became Realite Charger, driven by Mike Bontoft (son of Alf, who was tragically killed in the same 1976 Cowes race when his enfield hull called Blitz went out of control, throwing the driver out). The same 36 cigarette was later sacrificed to the leisure market. No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These photo's are from Graham Steven's offshore library - see the multimedia page at www.boatmad.com. Great pics!!!

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Would that be the Kiekhafer Aeromarine III that was campaigned in 1973?

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Right on the money!

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

I was lucky enough to get a ride on that boat during a shakedown run for the Hennessy Grand Prix in Pt. Pleasant, NJ in 1973. I was 16 at the time and heavily involved in the OPC division of the APBA so this was quite a thrill. Bob Magoon was nice enough to introduce me to Karl Kiekhafer and Don Aronow before the race which he went on to win. I'll never forget that boat or that ride.

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Marc Berman from BAM Marine currently owns the Kiekhaefer Aeromarine I.

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Found another shot.

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Horrible end for the first 36'that never raced in 1970! :mad:

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Hello,
We are currently in the process of restoring the Aeromarine 3, ex I like it too ,ex Realite Charger. It is in Norway where it has been on land since 1984 bought from England. engines are missing, the rest is there. To my knowledge it is one of three wide body 36 ft sigarettes(9 ft wide).

Does any of you know how to get hold of some pics from the 72-73 period, or if Dr. Bob Magoon is still alive and can be reched by e-mail.

Any other information will be greatly appreciated, best regrds Joern Amundsen, Norway

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

36widebody - check out the Searace book by John Crouse or go to http://www.historicraceboats.com/ for more info. Top Banana will no doubt have some pics, as will 'blacktornado' on this and other forums. What are your plans - restoration to it's most famous livery - i.e. as the Magoon Kiekhaefer Aeromarine boat?? I sincerely hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's great to hear the boat is still out there. Got any photo's you can post?? Was the conversion to pleasure really as bad as some say it was??

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

[Thanks for the quick reply,
No the conversion was not really carried out, but several attempts to semi restore it has been done as you can see from the pics. The body has not been cut in.
Plans are to get as close to the Magoon Aeromarine 3, but with som other engines i assume.

New try with pics,

Best regards Joern

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Top Banana will have what you are looking for - check with him next week as he is out of town.

Yes - Bob Magoon is still alive and lives in Colorado. Hot Boat or Extreme Boats did an article on him about a year or so ago - maybe check with them for contact info.?? I think it is great that you are restoring this boat - looking forward to seeing the finished pictures...

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

I don't have anything to add, but I want to help keep the topic alive and TTT

I also think it is cool about the restoration project and the info and pictures on the old race boat. I also love the fact that we have such a International board. Welcome to you guys, please visit and post often, you class up the joint :D :D

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Hallo 36Widebody!
I have some pics of the Aeromarine III and when I come back in Vilnius I will post you.
Other pics you can find in the John Crouse photo library in Searace website. One is in the Graham Stevens library in Boatmad website. Others pics are in NJPPC website in the Patnaude Offshore Library(exp.one in the cover magazine link).
I love that you will restore one of the most famous 36' of the Cigarette History. That Karl Kiekhaefer(the real owner of that boat) give to Bob Magoon at the end of the triumphant APBA season of the "Doc".
Good Luck!

p.s. Please don't cut,lengten,shorten....the boat!
Left it remain a real,original,beautiful Cig 36'!

Aeromarine 3
 

Thanks to all for support and information so far!
Yes I found the pics on Stewens site and also one nice shot at HORBA, they are all super. I will look in the suggested web-sides for more info.What I am looking for is some good shots from the side and the dashboard in order to fabricate decals/emblems etc and also how to get hold of the paint-scheme,color codes etc.

No we will not cut/shorten/lengthen the body, which is in super shape not seeing water in more than 20 years.

Some other shots from the hull inside and from a cower magazine, we will keep you posted with newer pics during the winter,

My personal e-mail is: [email protected] if someone has high quality pictures or information of the boat.

regards Joern

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Wow this is turning into a very exciting thread! I will try and dig up some old shots and post them here. Long live the cig 36 wide body! The most beautiful boat ever designed - from any angle they are stunning.

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Charles Gill calls us every now and then, next time he calls I will ask if he has any pictures that I could scan, I think is will be about at Cowes over the race weekend.

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

I know it's not the Magoon livery, but you have to admit that as I Like It Too, it was a good looking boat..........this shot courtesy of Graham's Offshore Library (Non racing shots) over on Boatmad.

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

Yes I agree, I like It too is a beautiful piece, but restoring it as Aeromarine 3 would in my opinion be the right thing to do.

Cougar 46, if you do speak to Gill , ask if I can call him or e-mail him, I am missing some of the story from England as well along with some paperwork.

You guys are a true knowledge base, impressive !!

reg Joern

Re: Magoon Gill Bontoft
 

I Like It Too was very nice and winner of 1976's CTC,but before was the "Kiekhaefer Aeromarine III"!
Together Dry Martini was the two 36' most winning!

Aeromarine 3
 

The amazing story on Aeromarine 3 continue:
Just spoke to the guy who bought the original Kiekhaefer engines in 1984 from England.
He still have the engines with all accessories including fuel injection, front geardrives for the waterpump and generator , headers with extension, electric harness, crash-boxes etc in his garage only 50 km away from me in southern Norway. He is more than willing to sell the lot for this restoration project, and asap I will post pictures of them on this site.

Now I am only missing the original instrumentation (or gauges from the correct time-era) plus the engine covers with 4 scopes. Anybody out there who can help ?

And I am still searching desperately for pics of the dashboard layout and from the engine compartment. Have found some from Dry Martini,Fino etc but they are not sharp enough.

Best regards Joern

Bump. Any updates Joern further to the resto shots we have seen thus far?