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-   -   Old boat dilema, Build it or pass on it?? (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/385025-old-boat-dilema-build-pass.html)

tommymonza 03-27-2025 10:02 PM


Originally Posted by Mbam (Post 4923108)
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...34930ed878.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f7cac798f3.jpg


Back in the day all we had on the big lake were "small" boats. And somehow we managed to have fun that is probably not legal today. Weekends at the Indiana Dunes, trips to Michigan City, St Joe, Sagatuck or just a raft up in the play pen. I remember when the first "big" boat showed up, a 35 Cigarette. Then some 38 Scarabs.


I was making it all work with my little 18 footer running up and down the east coast from Grand Haven to Suckyouin SuckNTuck in the day.

Got smart in 84 and moved to Naples.

Great old pics. What’s this boat with the tall windshield and the one sitting to port of the 377 Scarab. Is that Scarab the Van Andels old Warp Factor ?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d8e296b06.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f5f36a344.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6742056c5.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...93c1530c6.jpeg

tommymonza 03-27-2025 10:21 PM

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...66f3ca4c6.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e32f07dee.jpeg

Wally 03-27-2025 11:13 PM

That tall windshield actually looks like a 28' cig! this one had a taller windshield and we swapped it out for the shorter SS style with another member here long time ago! :D

tommymonza 03-27-2025 11:21 PM

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a9d496b7c.jpeg

Originally Posted by Wally (Post 4923118)
That tall windshield actually looks like a 28' cig! this one had a taller windshield and we swapped it out for the shorter SS style with another member here long time ago! :D

Nah the freeboard is too high. I used to know what they were I’m rackin my brain but it’s rattling. I’m thinking an early 31 Imp.

Or an old Cary 32 ?

Mbam 03-28-2025 03:49 AM


Originally Posted by tommymonza (Post 4923116)
I was making it all work with my little 18 footer running up and down the east coast from Grand Haven to Suckyouin SuckNTuck in the day.

Got smart in 84 and moved to Naples.

Great old pics. What’s this boat with the tall windshield and the one sitting to port of the 377 Scarab. Is that Scarab the Van Andels old Warp Factor ?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d8e296b06.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f5f36a344.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6742056c5.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...93c1530c6.jpeg

If my memory is correct I think the boat to the port of the Scarab is a 24' Donzi


Mbam 03-28-2025 03:55 AM

I'm drawing a blank on the manufacturer. Nice boat, straight inboards. Maybe 10' beam. Owner was in the bar business. There were 2 of them in Chicago at the time. Geez I just cannot remember.

Bingo - found it, was a Maxim
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...98574bff38.jpg




tommymonza 03-28-2025 11:20 AM

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...12f487fe8.jpeg

Originally Posted by Mbam (Post 4923124)
If my memory is correct I think the boat to the port of the Scarab is a 24' Donzi

Nice color combo on the Spitfire.

tommymonza 03-28-2025 11:26 AM

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cb027714b.jpeg

Originally Posted by Mbam (Post 4923125)
I'm drawing a blank on the manufacturer. Nice boat, straight inboards. Maybe 10' beam. Owner was in the bar business. There were 2 of them in Chicago at the time. Geez I just cannot remember.

Bingo - found it, was a Maxim
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...98574bff38.jpg

Thats it, That was a cool boat, pretty sure I saw it in Saugatuk back in the day I take it those were a South Florida built boat .

I see what appears to be the name Windigo on it, odd name for a powerboat . There was an old 75’ wooden ketch docked at Jessics in Holland back the 70s
with that name.
Loved it when I would happen to run down to Saugetuck from GH and all the Chicago boats were in for the day.

TexomaPowerboater 03-28-2025 03:15 PM


Originally Posted by Wally (Post 4922983)
I hear what your saying....My "ideal" boat would be like a 28 or 31 sonic with twins and then maybe an Active thunder or Scarab in the 31' range...but this kinda fell into my lap so who am i to say no ;)

Those 31 Sonic's are easy to find and are huge, they offer so much more than the 28 cigarette. The bilge access alone is enough to buy one. The bilge access the way the back rest is attached to the hatch like my 28 Saber is awesome. I mean I can literally sit on my back seat and eat a dinner off the top of my engines there is that much room to work on them.

tommymonza 03-28-2025 05:02 PM


Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater (Post 4923155)
Those 31 Sonic's are easy to find and are huge, they offer so much more than the 28 cigarette. The bilge access alone is enough to buy one. The bilge access the way the back rest is attached to the hatch like my 28 Saber is awesome. I mean I can literally sit on my back seat and eat a dinner off the top of my engines there is that much room to work on them.

I met the Sabre brothers when they were putting together their first 28 and they were pretty innovative at the time I thought.

Every boat needs this hatch design or be modified. Recently my brother was in the market for a Chris Craft 27’ launch with twin small blocks so I looked at a few down here for him . It was stupid to even reach the batteries and the bulkhead was so tall and the motors so deep in the bilge it was nearly impossible to hang over it to even check the oil. And there was no room to crawl down around or in front of the motors, some of the worst access I’ve seen in a boat.


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