Imperial Boats - what's the story on these?
 

I saw this ad for a 27' Imperial with a single engine big block in it (says 600 hp) for sale.

It looks like a really nice flat-deck boat...but I can't find any info on them.

Link: http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...PRESS-93295066

owned a 1985 and a 1987

JUNK

I believe it is a copy of the Cigarette Squadron

otis...what about them was "JUNK"? That's very broad.

The boats literaly fell apart. I was young and hard on the equipment.. but they were junk. Broken seats,stringers you name it

I saw the ad for that boat also.

It caught my eye. I thought it looked like a Squadron 12 knockoff.

Imperial was a brand I saw years ago that made Bow riders etc.

The hulls had a unique transom style.

This boat doesn't look like its from the same co.

I heard the hull is from Cig. But it was still produced by Imperial the "butter boat"" king. ALL the other hulls had the pattened Omni Hull design instead of the squared off back transoms. Ill say it again STAY AWAY

I don't plan to buy it - but it sure does (to a VERY amateur eye) look like a clean, classic race boat hull.

And THAT is one thing I will say places like this are absolutely invaluable for guys like me.

The Imperial boat that I owned 25 years ago was built in Markle Indiana ( southeast of Ft. Wayne ) The company was owned by a HOLDING company calle ASI aka All Seson Industries. The Boat was JUNK!!!! But I am talking about 1984 quality.

I owned a 1986 23' walk-around cutty. The hull was called "Omni" I believe. The part where the outdrive was mounted stuck out from the rest of the transom. Bought it about a year old and the fiberglass on the cabin was already pitted from exposure to the sun. It had a Mercury 470 which struggled to get it to 30 mph. Totalled in a fire in a Hi and Dri
facility. Overall I couldn't say it was junk but there are better boats around. They were produced again for a short time in the late 90's I think. At least the Imperial name was used.

After looking at the ad I can say that's not the "Omni" hull typical of most Imperials. Also I don't remember anything like that in their catalogue. Check out the VIN to make sure it's an Imperial.

110% sure that that is an Imperial. They bought the hull in 1986 or 1987

I was wondering when you were going to say "butter Boat".

Brings back some memories. I think I still have the picture of the bolsters on the dock after you tried to hod them up with the cooler. LOL.

ahhhh the good old days my friend !!

I remember throwing the bolster seat overboard trying to get one more mile and hour out of her trying to pass you !!

The truth about the 27 Imperial / 27 Cigarette Squadron
 

The 27 Imperial was made in South Florida by Don Aronow for Imperial. (Due to all the non competes at the time.) Only 20 were produced making them EXTREMELY RARE. You can tell how solid the hulls are just by seeing the depth of the transom alone. Also you will never see one of these with any stress cracks. Basically these boats have nothing to do with the company Imperial other then they are titled as an Imperial. They are almost identical to the 27 Cigarette Squadron except for two things. The helm is on the Starboard side and the cabin has a nice interiors so you have some privacy. If you can find one these rare examples you'll be very lucky to own a true Don Aronow boat.

The 27 Imperial from 1986 has nothing to do with any other Imperial's. The 27 Imperial Offshore was produced by Don Aronow for Imperial in South Florida.