Fast and sexy are two words often associated with offshore powerboats, but two lesser-used others are drugs and murder. On a sunny afternoon in February 1987, Don Aronow—the godfather of powerboats—was shot several times in his white Mercedes on North Miami Beach’s famed 188th Street, a quarter-mile coastal stretch better known as Thunderboat Row. In the decades before, Aronow had founded six of the world’s best-known powerboat manufacturers, many of which were located along that very street. Aronow’s boats set numerous world speed records and, with him at the helm, took several racing titles, including two world championships. But it was not all glamour and glory for Aronow, shown here manning a 1966 model from Donzi Marine.
His powerboats were regularly able to outrun the U.S. Coast Guard, and were thus ideal for smuggling drugs into the country from South America. In attempts to safeguard his reputation, Aronow began providing even faster boats to the U.S. Customs Service, an act that eventually helped spur a contractual battle between Aronow and industry rival Benjamin Kramer—who had a previous smuggling conviction and whom Aronow was scheduled to testify against just after his untimely death. A nearly 10–year investigation found that Kramer had ordered the hit on Aronow. While Kramer is currently serving a life sentence, Aronow’s name remains untarnished and his reputation legendary. In spite of the industry’s storied past, potential buyers today should not be deterred: The word most commonly associated with powerboats now is fun.
Cigarette Racing Team 50 Marauder
Because of Canada’s high taxation on tobacco, cigarette smuggling arose, sometimes using Aronow’s boats. Coincidentally, Aronow founded a company in 1969 that he named Cigarette Racing Team (after the shape of the boats)—a name now synonymous with V-hulled speedsters. With over 3,225 hp, Cigarette’s 50-foot
Marauder (top; custom orders average about $1 million) reaches over 120 mph.
Cigarette Racing Team, 305.931.4564, www.cigaretteracing.com
Outerlimits 41 Super Leggera
Powerboats from this Bristol, R.I., manufacturer deliver both speed and comfort. The engines lack nothing in power, and the cabins are lush with hand-stitched leather. The 2009 Super Leggera lineup (41-foot model shown, left; starting at $645,000) is an array of boats capable of speeds well beyond 100 mph.
Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats, 401.253.7300, www.outerlimitspowerboats.com
Fountain 42 Lightning
Like Aronow, Reggie Fountain has secured a place in the history of power-boat racing. He is credited with developing hull technology for offshore pleasure boating. The 42 Lightning has won more championships than any other V-bottom, though the 2009 model ($375,000 or $706,000) will blow back the hair of recreational users as well.
Fountain Powerboats, 252.975.2000, www.fountainpowerboats.com
Magnum Marine 80
Magnum Marine remains on Thunderboat Row, exactly where Aronow founded it in 1966 (although the area is now home to more high-end residences than it was then), and continues to build boats that would undoubtedly please the legend. Today, the company focuses on the recreational market; its new 80-footer ($8.95 million) is both a beauty and a beast.
Magnum Marine, 305.931.4292, www.magnummarine.com
Donzi Marine 35 ZR 009 Edition
In 1964, Aronow established Donzi Marine, creating models for powerboat-racing and recreational enthusiasts alike. President Lyndon Johnson was known to outrun Secret Service agents in his 16-foot Donzi. The company, now based in Sarasota, Fla., will deliver only 12 of its 35 ZR 009 Editions ($228,570).
Donzi Marine, 941.727.0622, www.donzimarine.com