Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I recently bought a really nice, original, 1976 28SS, with winter coming I'm trying to decide what projects to plan, do I...

Finish restoration of the original small blocks/TRS, electrics, and teak, etc....

Rip out the TRS's and replace with new engines and Bravo's, etc. basically making a "new" boat out of what is arguably a classic...

Which would be more desireable when I go to sell or trade?

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Restore it to original.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Put a set of Konrad drives on it and you will not have to replace the transom assembly and change out the windshield with an aluminum fairing. That's what I would do. If you still wanted to go Bravo, Stellings makes an extension box that converts from a TRS set up to a Bravo without any fiberglass modifications. Either way you will see an improvement in performance. I would think that the TRS drives would eventually hurt the resale sense Mercruiser is stopping production of replacement parts.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

How long will you keep it?
If you aren't worried about getting your money back, turn it into a "new" older boat, that would be great.

It will help the resale with newer driveline components, but not enough to recoup your cost. If that is not a concern, build it the way you want it and enjoy the hell out of it!
Those are sweet boats by the way!

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

do ya run that boat in lake travis? i remember seeing one like that when we went to go pick up our topgun. i would do all the modifications ya want but leave that paint job on it. i love those old ss

donz jr mike

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

It go for a new engine/drive package, either going to Konrads or B1 variety. Strip off the old school accesories like all that metal off the bow, and the teak platform. Go for a sleek flat bow, with flush hatches if possible, or maybe Bomar slim hatches. Install an aluminum swim platform. Rip out the old school shifters/throttles, and go for new school. Rip out the old school guages and go for new top of the line Gaffrigs.

It would be a radical old school ride with a new school update. Good luck.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I think its pretty hot looking as is.
Do the konrads, you wont have to move the engines back either.
Maybe upgrade the dash. Board member Sean knows how to do this, his old 28 he redid came out real nice.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

keep it original...

a drive/engine swap at this point will cost a bundle and you'll never get your money back out of it...trust me...I've been there and done that with my 28ss. I put a little over 60k into mine, doing much of the work myself...and sold the boat for half that...not a good investment.

btw, does that have the merctrans or borg warner geears?

do some minor cosmetics to update it. as metioned above, do a faring, get rid of the teak and cleats...put in pull-up cleats and leave it at that...you'll have a nice looking orginal boat...that looks updated and more modern.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Mike, yes, and I remember seeing your TG on the lake that day... ...I loved the sound of that thing going by!

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

If your not going to keep it original and spend all that money, why not just buy a newer boat to begin with? I still say all original.

Its like putting leather corvette seats in a 72 chevelle ss. buy a vette or restore a chevelle

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I'd leave it original , if it were mine. It's drop-dead gorgeous!

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I'd love a "new" boat (I can't stop staring at Tim G's Pantera) but that's a bit beyond my means. I love the original classic aspect of the boat and I think that's the direction I'll be going with it. Funny about how we've got different tastes though, I love the chrome hardware and teak on the boat. Compared to my last boat (sorry Jim) the hardware on this boat is all very top shelf.

How's this for a name OLD's COOL ???

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

How about "TOO OLD" :D

just kidding fred :drink:

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Original !!!!

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Leave her alone !! If you want to butcher one, find a project boat !!
They are perfect just the way they came !!! :D

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Leave it original as possible. Its a classic and a damn nice looking boat. The "hockey stick" paint scheme as they call it is my favorite.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Either way, you'll never recoup the money spent. Decide which on blows your skirt up more, original, or updated. Personally, I'd upgrade it. I absolutely hate teak on a boat. Maybe the best way is to upgrade it cosmetically, but leave the original drive train. Engines and drives are big money, not to mention any glass work you'd need done to change over.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I'm very familiar with the "hockey stick" paint job myself. I like it too.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

No sweat, John!

I agree. the "old school" boats like my 1970 Donzi and your Cig were built to be the most expensive boats (in their class) in the world. Not built to a price. The hardware on those old boats is just amazing. Built to last...

Jim

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

thank you very much :p

having had a old boat look new (seans) and a new old look (playboy)
id say 1 konrads 2 more hp 3 lavorsi 4 little things (cleats cupholders hatches)

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

ok, i lied...i got the motors for a steal...paid 15k for both of them...and 5k for the interior...made 10k on the boat :p :D :D how do you feel now? :D :D

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Sean, went back and reread your earlier post. MercII trans and they shift perfect (now that I've got the wiring straightened out).

All it really needs is some TLC right now, well, that and some more power...

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

John,
You've got a sweet rig there. I love the Bravo set up on my 28. The TRS drives cause the boat to ride much flatter. You would never get your money out of a bravo conversion, but if you plan on keeping it for the long haul the peformance and handling improvement might be worth the investment/spend.

I hate to use the words boat and investment in the same sentence because the two just don't correlate. These 28s may be approaching 30 years old but they still turn a lot of heads. :)

My $.02. - - Nick

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

If your trying to recoup ANY money forget it. I completely (yes, completely) restored my 28 to new. I didn't care about the cost because thats what I wanted. If I had planned on getting the money back out of it, I never would have gone to the extent I did.

That is your main question you have to answer. :cool:

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Keep it original. Old School is Cool.

Mark

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Rebuild the small blocks and upgrade to Vortec heads, better cam, intake and carb. You'll pick up 100 HP per side and your Merc tranny's and TRS drives will still live. I did a customers 272 Formula last year and it turned out really nice.

I've got that orange 28 Cig at my shop for the winter. We're rebuilding the engines. Drop by and check it out if you get out my way.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

My thoughts exactly!!! Just changing the platform out would make a HUGE difference. The carbon fiber I am not so sure of, I like the white or the old style chrome but whiten or lighten the colors of the dash will make a big difference and make it look larger.

Jon

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

The 28 Cigs and 27 Magnums ride the best with the small blocks. I've been looking at one and have talked to a few people about this issue. The boat I'm looking at has 454's and TRS's. If I buy it the 454's will be pulled and good set of 350's will be installed. I trust my sources. They have owned 27's & 28's back in the 70's when they were new. Said to me was the big blocks have too much weight and it effects the ride and flight of the boat.

You've got a 28ft boat that rides like 35footer.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Love that name!

If you do have to replace gauges, go with something retro-style. When the original gauges in my Donzi died, I went with these gauges. Modern, but original-looking...

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

The gauges and dash definitely need to get overhauled. I've got some white SW's but their age and accuracy may be no better than the black ones that are in the boat now. Some white face Livorsi's would be perfect.

I like the teak platform though, it works well with the teak louvered companionway doors, plus I used to build teak platforms...

In summary, you guys (most of you at least) have helped with my decision. A few upgrades and keep it looking just as the "Don" intended it.

It's also got an interesting polished stainless steel plaque just in front of the companionway hatch that says "Cigarette 28SS Custom Built for the Lowry's". I wonder where the Lowry's are today?

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I went with the Platinum look. It really made a difference but did not take away from the classic look.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Just sell it and buy mine :drink:

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

In the end I guess it really depends on who you are trying to please and impress. I went through the same thing when I bought my '64 Vette.

You've got the "young" who weren't around when these were popular, so stock doesn't impress them, it'll just look like a crappy old boat no matter what you do, especially with all that "Wood?" and aluminum "windows?" !! Makes 'em think of the old alumn windows in grandpa's house. "Probably gonna have the same smell" they'll say...."Don who????"

Then you've got the "elders" who are nostalgic for the original look and craftsmanship, and classic timeless good looks, who will think changing any of it is "ruinning" it....."Don was a God".

Best thing to do is impress yourself, cause it's your boat! Which, my guess, is probably somewhere in between those two . Keep making small changes if you want till you can stand back and say "damn that looks sweet!"......Don't worry about the rest of us. Hell with worrying about resale. Do you really care how much it's next owner likes it?? This is your time, enjoy it!!

Thats whats so cool about the 28, it looks great at both extremes and everything in-between!.........................

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

No matter what you do, that boat will always be cool. Unless you put an OL paint job on it! :eek:

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Brandon, who ended up with your 28? That thing was really something special.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I say keep the small blocks, if the drives are still in good order I'd keep them too. If not, look into the Konrad drives.
As for changing to looks of the boat....DON'T!
A 70's vintage Cig is a real classic. I personally like the teak trim, I like the way it looks.
You say the gauges are shot? Try to stay with a similar style as the original. I think that any changes from originality could devalue the boat.

I like the way it looks now. If it were mine I'd be tickled just to own it.
Don Aronow used the best materials money could by, why change it?

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

here ya go

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

Nice, but I'd still have to loose the teak door in favor of either a fiberglass or plexiglass door. I detest teak. It's impossible to keep looking good.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

I'd keep the trs, your not gonna break em with small blocks. That boat is a killer reliable setup the way it is, so why change it. After spending time on thrillseekers boat I really love these 28 cigs.

Re: Cig 28SS - What to do?
 

"NickoTeen" here on the board owns it now. I get to see it all the time on the lake :( :D . He drives it every weekend. :cool: