Cigarette ‘smokin’ at Fort Lauderdale

by Bob Wonders on 26 Oct 2011 Unless you have been keeping an extremely low profile (like living beneath a rock?), you’ll be well aware that one of the world’s premiere boat shows, the Fort Lauderdale International, opens its doors tomorrow (October 27).

This exhibition can only be termed ‘massive’ and is spread across six of the largest marina facilities in the Fort Lauderdale area.

For the recreational boating industry in the United States, the Fort Lauderdale show is one that no major boat builder can afford to miss.

All the heavyweights of the industry will be there, not only from the USA, by the way, but the top boat manufacturers from Europe, Asia and Australia.

With its headquarters and manufacturing plant being in the area, it should come as no surprise that legendary performance boat builder, the Cigarette Racing Team, will host a major display at Fort Lauderdale.

The company plans on unveiling what it terms its 'new generation' of performance, a range of desirable boats that will clearly demonstrate why the prestigious marque carrying the famous #1 graphic continues to be the icon of high performance boating.

Cigarette Racing Team claims it has dedicated itself to the pursuit of building 'the perfect powerboat', and this has culminated in the design and engineering of the new 39’ Top Gun Unlimited being released at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Essentially, there will be three new models based on one hull – the proven and superb 39’ (11.88-metres), comprising the previously-mentioned Top Gun Unlimited, the 39 Top Fish Cuddy and the 39 Top Fish Open.

The 39 Top Gun Unlimited allows Cigarette customers to 'kick up a notch' with this absolute stunner.

With staggered Mercury Racing 700hp engines and NXT drives, this is a true performer in every sense of the word.

Its Mercury Racing and Garmin instrumentation stand out thanks to its black, carbon fibre dashboard, while its superb paint design combines matt black, bright blue and lipstick red accents on a shimmering white pearl.

The sharp black and white Daytona-style interior shows Cigarette’s unrelenting attention to detail, with white on white double stitching and design accents in the cockpit are carried through to the smart interior.

An all-new engine hatch design is yet another Cigarette statement on performance; expanding the air intake and cooling of the higher horsepower engines inspired the new design.

The hatch includes two 3-D stainless steel panels framing a large sunpad with added stainless steel screens acting as an air induction system.

They certainly add a touch of 'bling' to the boat and provide a design addition ensuring the boat is as 'cool' as its owner, a must when you’re making a very cool 100mph (160km//hr).

Cigarette’s centre console fish boats have been worldwide winners for the Florida company and now the 39 Top Fish Cuddy can now allow all on board to take cover from the sun thanks to its fibreglass hard top.

There’s even air conditioning within the cuddy cabin for the more sensitive souls aboard.

With a sparkling all black hull and sporty red striping and three Mercury 300hp Verado outboard engines at its transom, the 39 Top Fish Cuddy boats true ‘eye appeal.’

The 39 Top Fish Open offers additional cockpit space around its beautifully-designed centre console and boats the same 'grunt' as the Top Fish Cuddy via a tripe Mercury Verado outboard installation.

This 2012 Cigarette line-up clearly shows the work, skill and dedication the company invests into each of its models.

It must be said that outstanding design, engineering, service and satisfaction rate as 'standard' when dealing with the Cigarette Racing Team.

I guess there’s another reason why the Cigarette Racing Team can look forward to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

For the second consecutive year, America’s Powerboat Magazine readers have anointed Cigarette as 'Favourite Vee Bottom Boat.'

Skip Braver, CEO of Cigarette, said the recognition was much appreciated.

'The whole Cigarette Racing Team is totally committed to the company’s reputation and we work extremely hard to raise the calibre of our boats in every model year,' he added.

'Only the best technology, materials are employed and skilled craftsmen and women strive to build each Cigarette.

'We are proud of our boats, proud of our crew of dedicated workers and most of all proud of our customers who enjoy the results,' he added.

For further information visit the website www.cigaretteracing.com