CIGARETTES ARE CIGARETTES

QUESTION: I have been a boater my entire life. I was raised on the shores of Lake Erie and have owned several boats, but always wanted a performance boat. Unfortunately I will never be able to afford a new performance boat unless I win the lottery. So I have turned to the used boat market to find my first performance boat.

After looking, I’ve stumbled on a 2000 Cigarette 35' Playboy TS with Mercury Racing HP525EFI engines. I know Cigarette changed ownership a few years ago and I’m concerned about this boat’s performance and reliability. Besides a survey, I am curious to know more about this boat.

I remember reading that this boat did not sell that well for Cigarette—was this because of the boat’s performance and/or reliability? Is this model a close cousin of the 38 Top Gun? I cannot find much information on this boat online, so I am asking the expert. I subscribe to Powerboat magazine and always value your opinion.

ANSWER: One thing that you can’t take away from a Cigarette is that it is unmistakably a Cigarette. If you like the timeless traditional styling that Cigarette has to offer, it is hard to go wrong with one that has desirable power. It won’t be the fastest boat on the planet, but it will do anything that any 35-footer can do with exceptional rough-water abilities. The 38 Top Guns are popular because they are a little bigger. On the other hand, a 38 will cost you more equally equipped. In today’s market, if you get a good deal on the 35, you will probably be able to use it for a few years and have the boat maintain its value.

Relative to Cigarette’s current ownership and management, I don’t think the company has ever been in better hands. I think Don Aronow would be proud of where Cigarette is today.

—Need some guidance from Bob Teague, Powerboat's lead test driver and owner of Teague Custom Marine? To send him an email click here.

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