The REAL Reason SPEED BOATS Went Out of Style!

[@craigpennington1251]

Pretty much everything has priced itself out of existence. Even the average family car is crazy expensive these days.

[@richierich2534]

I worked on powerboat row in the early 80s it was awesome seen some crazy shit go down on the night shift

[@JSB103]

What wasn't priced out of existence was regulated out of existence. Same difference.

[@prasad530]

Actually the price of an average family car has remained basically the same for over two decades if you account for inflation.

[@delphipascal]

That’s because debt is cheap

[@zaceryhammond1144]

@@prasad530 in the 70s u could get a new muscle car for 2500 brand new today it’s 70 grand so no

[@brianmorrison9066]

The economy. Remember in the 70s when your average papper mill worker would have a cesna 172 with floats, snowsled, a 2 homes(home and a camp), 1 or 2 new vehicles, a boat,a motorcycle zero debt and still devolved a drug habit. Now, your average worker has a house, car and half a million in debt.

[@whiggerhunter4268]

$150 cable + $120 cellphone $500 per month health insurance + $500 home/car insurance + $400 HOA + $150,000 college loan + 3,500 mortgage. Damn, who can afford to get high anymore ? . .

[@glennoropeza3545]

That was when when we had unions!

[@brianmorrison9066]

Youd have to have rocks in your head to buy a home in a hoa....

[@q4fire]

Do you think that he 1/2 m debt might be the result of all the previous? Just wondering.

[@brianmorrison9066]

Even in the 80s, in the town I am from, Millinocket, ME, people usually had 1 or 2 homes, airplane, cars, trucks, college fund for kids, savings, exc. Now, there are no toys. People work the same with less bennefits. They might have a house and a truck, both of which are nice but both are on loan. Forget about savings. My point is....look how far our country has fallen in the last 25 years!

[@myvalium1]

I was an avid “Cigarette” boat owner for 20 years - I was crushed when I sold my last one - a very fast 38 ZR Donzi a few years ago. I now cruise in a center console with twin Yamaha 150’s. I can run today for 7 hours on the same gas that I used to burn in an hour ... completely different experience. My observation is that the Cigarette boats took a tumble when the economy tanked back in ‘08. The banks were no longer willing to write leveraged loans on these boats - and this caused the struggle and ultimate demise of a good number of Cigarette boat builders - with several changing hands thru the years numerous times. As you pointed out - the outboard motor powered center consoles became attractive to buyers ... offering better reliability, and more economical performance and maintenance. In turn - the builders went into survival mode and smartly began building what the public was willing to buy. Some of the high end center consoles with big outboard power are absolutely beautiful ... but for me, nothing will ever get my heart pumping like the sound of big power under the hatch. I spent a lot of $$$ during those years and it was worth every penny. Lol glad I came to my senses because if I didn’t, I’d never be able to retire.

[@scottjones5221]

I'm still out there cruising a 1996 Baja Islander 27 running single IO Injected 454 Big Block 😁 just loving it 8 super comfortable 10 people no problem

[@mrd222]

I completely agree. For me at my age (46) it’s the maintenance. Rebuilding an inboard is so labor intensive. Now, I can take one or both off in my driveway. And the fuel consumption is such a difference.

[@skiingfast1]

Yes the economy, can grow or sink sales and companies.

[@MrThumper1440]

I completely understand with fuel economy too....now that I’m running my 7.5 hp Sears/Ted Williams, I’m saving so much fuel compared to my 20hp Mercury. The boat still gets a lot of attention and hot women want to go for rides, they even wait in line for it. We just go a little slower than before...gives me more time for love makin’ ;)

[@skiingfast1]

@@MrThumper1440 LOL!

[@boataxe4605]

Drug runners switched to submarines?

[@NickIggler1969]

Gay comment

[@Sky-dw3dw]

We still use boats

[@PeppersStarLine]

Yes, drug runners tuned to narco subs. I’m not even joking.

[@DelightfulHelmet-mc8su]

Sounds right to me.

[@DelightfulHelmet-mc8su]

I Kew a coast guard guy who told me those boats are extremely expensive and have a very big appetite for expensive parts and maintenance

[@VOLTxSTORM]

My dad owns the 39 ft criss craft stinger used in season 1 of Miami vice, he’s rebuilt the engines himself, you can probably see it in Erie for the poker run or the Niagara river in 2022 after he finishes restoring it

[@cravenmoorehead7099]

No way

[@dirtdiggler9293]

Nice

[@skullhart]

I like the look of the Stinger over the Scarab

[@larrylobster2306]

that's awesome

[@MrPypro]

Sick, we live in the region, we'll have to keep our eyes open

[@KMT15]

They haven’t gone out of style, they are just a headache to have run reliably compared to center consoles. I love my Donzi 43ZR but with triple 700’s, there is always something going wrong. Usually minor things, but they ruin the day nonetheless. My Nortech 390 CC has been 100% flawless for 400 hours now

[@Nikowalker007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6TdipyAiZxpd68 man, you’re so lucky , there’s nothing in the world like a good old classic Go Fast Donze

[@5571350M8]

Get rid of the NXT drives it came with and run the M6 or even the IMCO SCX4.

[@brockskochenski237]

Are you hiring? @KMT15

[@davidperry4013]

A bowrider with a Volvo Penta V6 engine is quite reliable only has a top speed of around 65 mph but they are still a lot of fun.

[@1bluensx]

As a doctor who is married to a lawyer, we still could not afford one of these speedboats, and keep it running and maintained and gassed up every weekend. Unless you are a business, and using these as a write off “business entertainment expenses”…they just make zero sense.

[@flat6fever680]

Truth

[@blackrifle6736]

*Doc said the quiet part out loud and gave the game away...*

[@worldtravel101]

Wife and I are dentists and totally with you!

[@randyfurness5588]

The speed boat hasn't gone out of style . They just evolved.

[@richierich2534]

The no wake zone hurt the business

[@FirstLast-uz6eq]

Into?

[@randyfurness5588]

@@FirstLast-uz6eq Bass boats. 200 hp outboard on a glorified johnboat . Or you can Google it >

[@Epck]

@@randyfurness5588 I have seen those go down the lake at at least 90...no joke

[@randyfurness5588]

@@Epck Yep . My Dad gave me a Tracker with a 200 hp mercury on it . It can hit at lest 50 mph . Haven't tried full out .

[@tm8747]

i agree in the 70;s , 80;s they were on top of the speed, game. and yes its was very expensive to run. the fuel and the maintenance . i ran a cigarette , 34", with twin 572cu.in. motor with twin turbos, 2000 hp each there was a problem with the v-ee boats, the fuel tanks were on each side of each engine i removed them and in the middle of the boat between the front bulkhead of the engine to the dash, where the ski locker was i installed a large 300 gal, tank vee shaped . doing this made the boat plane faster and gave extra 15 knots of speed. . yes i was crazy and dumb, but i had the love for speed in the race boats of the 70;s, 80;s. i was easy for me when my father owned a shipyard, i had my own crew, and entered many races winner most, in my class. now im into a 36" v-ee haul twin turbines, aircraft motor, , but i run the run from zadar,croatia to ancona, italy for the tourist. and a big pay back.

[@davidbrennan5]

I always liked all kinds of boat racing but there is something about those offshore boats jumping waves at 120mph+ with outdrives coming out of the water that makes my heart start pumping. If I could afford it I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[@TheBeingReal]

Buy two extra kidneys too. lol

[@Nikowalker007]

There’s nothing in the world like a rumble of triple supercharged hot cammed V8s at WOT cutting through ocean waves like a hot knife through butter …

[@04NJCobra]

Good perspective brother ! And it’s true , you can’t knock these high powered center consoles that can run 80+ with room for 12 and then do a little fishing . They changed the game. The only thing they are missing is that wonderful sound of the big blocks at full tilt!

[@dannysdailys]

Yeah, but you can't run a big block at full tilt all day. You can a pair of 450r's.

[@Adierit]

@@dannysdailys I mean, a 450 is technically a big block.

[@charleslindsay3201]

yes it's not always the speed -but the sound of power

[@cgarciahfcu]

Let's be honest: it's all about the bikinis. A traditional go-fast boat has no room for babes to be twerking. If your boat has no room for babes, then why even have a boat? That's why the popularity died down. It's all about sex.

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

What bout the thrills???, plus you can still have a few bitches in a lot of 40’ +

[@scottleighton9149]

I cant stuff 500 kilos in the front of my center console.

[@Rlnthndr]

bingo. Why get one of these when you can get a quad outboard center console that looks just as flashy if you get the right brand (nor-tech, midnight express, MTI, etc) and have room for plenty of sunbathing women in bikinis

[@guardrailbiter]

I'm sorry. Could you repeat that? I couldn't hear you cuz I was motorboating these -bikinis.-

[@roadrunnergtx68]

You are wrong. You can fit a ton of women inside that cabin, all naked too. Go fast boats are better pussy magnets than center console. You got one of those, you got money. Lots of money. And chicks love bad boys with lots of money.

[@robertvanderbush737]

These boats were made expensive to operate for a reason, they knew their clients had the money to maintain them. "Rebuild at 50 hours", in any other machine that would be totally unacceptable.

[@shredder_mang3211]

Motocross bikes are similar 50 hour rebuild is the standard, the service manual says 15-20 on some

[@Kreege]

the first fighter jets had engines that could only last 5-10 hours before needing a rebuild

[@prootuning]

@@shredder_mang3211 I had to change my piston every 16 hours on my 125cc 2 stroke dirtbike. I did once 19 hours with a piston and it was full of cracks.

[@thunderhammer1937]

Top Fuel Dragsters burning Nitromethane are completely torn down and rebuilt after every pass.

[@huntergibson9359]

Mountain bike suspension has 40h service intervals. Tones of things have short service intervals.

[@erin6381]

Just bought a 35 ft. 1993 Cigarette Cafe Racer. The sound of those inboards revving blows my skirt up every time! #girlracer

[@rokguitarstar]

Call me Carol, I'd like to be there for that!

[@thebear6529]

Woooo-hooooo heck y'a !!

[@chetfedoriii6917]

"Nice" I always had a facination with speed boats since I was a child!!!!! One day I hope to buy my own or share one with the women I see!!!!

[@thebear6529]

@@chetfedoriii6917 yes and when you get divorced you can give it too her as well

[@drucilliadimiglio]

Pictures PLEASE!!!!

[@jay-sg8tv]

I own a 38 foot Top Gun cigarette with twin diesel engines. With a pair of arneson drives I cruise at 65 knots 70 wide open I go from Miami to the Bahamas Bimini with a full tank I come back I still have fuel it's the best setup ever the most fuel efficient way to cruise around

[@84jamesp]

How long does it take you to go from Miami to the islands?

[@j.thomas7128]

Great choice of power and drives. I'd love to see a 38' Cat Deck boat with diesels and arnesens. Arnesens become even more efficient when they don't have to provide lift for the boat.

[@aussieaussieaussieoioioi9135]

Lies.

[@donziperk]

@@aussieaussieaussieoioioi9135 asshat comment

[@karlg1535]

Diesel power baby! Dont own a boat but I've got a diesel truck & car, I'm sure the torque helps the props shred the water

[@grady.stu.8300]

Everyone just loves center consoles with 4 outboards on the back. Can't beat the sound a cigarette boat makes though.

[@davearonow65]

I agree. Check my last name.

[@infinitexity4754]

I got a 47 fountain

[@dizneym1]

No room, constantly unreliable. CC are just as fast but can hold 20+ people all being reliable and filled with creature comforts

[@bubbakushingtonIII]

Cigarette boats are awesome

[@jensjurgen313]

naah. v8 exhaust above waterline should be banned. so annoying inside the harbour.

[@saillaw2]

It’s simple - Shade - without shade people are only willing to stay on a boat for a few hours max. With shade they can stay all day. Make a speed boat with shade and it will be competitive with the center console outboards.

[@pancak355]

Agreed. Especially if you live somewhere with a hot climate like Florida or Texas. The second you stop moving the heat becomes unbearable and you need to get under some shade.

[@miketexas4549]

Yup. Shade is king out on the ocean.

[@18yearsoldnot]

I don't see anyone buying cockpit style boats either - I would... But unfortunately these boats need to have open space for parties or have sex appeal.

[@Barty.Crowell]

A lot of those speedboats actually have a bed and small living space ahead of the cockpit

[@vic1sch]

It's called a bimini top. As much or as little shade as you want.

[@ThomasDuffyRE]

Great video and I like your 2 thoughts on the reasons you think were the decline of Go Fast boats. I live on the water in Southern California right by a huge marina and I love the sound of the big power boats as they exit the channel and hit the throttle over open water. The sound carries and it always puts a smile on my face and is music to my ears!

[@deanmacka4975]

Mate! You hit the nail on head , and the 3rd reason is insurance . If you get the boat wet im sure the insurance company won't pay lol great stuff mate. I love the old inboard speedboat, I'm not so keen on the fire that comes with them lol

[@bicyclist2]

I remember watching the power boat races up in northern Michigan. It was very exciting. I also used to watch races on TV occasionally in the late 80's and 90's. I hope to see a resurgence soon. Miami Vice also helped drive up prices for the Ferrari Testarossa. Power boat racing is better than Nascar or ball sports. Thank you.

[@dannyt9067]

Spot on... When the economy took a hit back in 2008 boats, especially performance boats got hit the hardest, when fuel prices skyrocketed in 2009/10 that didn’t help. Big performance boat builders like fountain went out of business. Around the same time Mercury came out with the 300 verado four stroke...(game changer btw). Boat builders like cigarette and Nortech started making 39 ft centers with triple Merc o/b’s and that was all she wrote.

[@chaddeans4549]

Yeah, they still make Fountains boats but its just a high priced name now. No more Reggie F

[@andrewfarrell4312]

Chad deans they still use the original molds that Reggie used when he still owned fountain. Fountain powerboats is alive and well,just owned by a larger company. They still build them exactly the same. I live 10 min from the factory,and hear them doing sea trials all the time. But if you order a new fountain,the interior,engines are modernized,but the design and hull are still the same

[@tomseadon9965]

One of the reasons why these beautiful boats aren’t used for smuggling is satellite surveillance, coastguard got faster, plus Homeland Security! He’s definitely right about the maintenance and the cost of the upkeep vs. the new outboards out there! Great video BTW! I still LOVE THESE BOATS!

[@zk9058]

Well done bro. And i think ur right. It’s also crazy how many outboards u can stick on these things. I remember when it was unheard of to have 3 engines on a boat. But now it’s not uncommon to see boats with 5 outboard motors......or even 6. It’s crazy man! And these center consoles are light, fast and practical. I must admit tho....they don’t have the same look or appeal as an old school cigarette or donzi, but still......they are tough to beat for the price......especially when you factor in the speed and practicality.

[@jasonhumphries8463]

One Sunny Day while in North Bay Village overlooking the Biscayne Bay in Miami,FL i observed at least 20-25 boats go by center consoles, yachts, and then a 43 foot scarab came rumbling through with Triple Big Blocks making such a visceral and mind bending sounds.... The sight & sound of such a beauty immediately erased my recollection of all the previous vessels i had seen that day. Something truly special indeed.

[@maxmann8607]

I think you’re 100% correct. I also think this is the reason center console boats are so expensive. This consumer (the former go-fast customer) is used to spending so much money. I believe the market is pushing the center console prices way higher than what is actually going into them.

[@charlieodom9107]

To the people buying these huge ass center consoles, money doesn't matter. These type of people can't handle an equivalent go-fast boat, as the speeds would be insane and they want a party boat, not a go-fast boat. A go-fast boat is designed for a purpose. A center console has a different purpose. The people who have go-fast boats will never switch to a center console to do the same thing, because it can't. I have a 29' go-fast that will do over 80mph and burns less fuel than ANY equally sized center console designed for offshore! I also have AC, Generator, Enclosed Head, Kitchenette, V-Birth, etc! You WON'T find that on a 30' Center Console!

[@j.thomas7128]

Nah man. Center console hulls aren't that much more than they used to be. They cost more when you start hanging 3, 4, or 5 Merc 400s on the back at $32,500 each!

[@sentry9834]

Sounds alot like what's happened to pickup trucks. I'm old enough to remember when nobody wanted to drive pickups and they were dirt cheap. The cheapest thing to buy brand new was a pickup truck. They were cheaper than the family sedan. Now they regularly sell for close to $100,000 after finance charges are included.

[@sentry9834]

@@j.thomas7128 Why are the off board engines so expensive? $32,000 can buy a whole car. Car engines are no where near as expensive.

[@BTRCHICAGO]

@@charlieodom9107 Exactly. Plus try to use open bow center console in the rough seas. I live in Chicago and boat on Lake Michigan. This lake is always brutal. Waves are usually 2-3 and are coming from every direction. Hi side board and closed bow is the only way to be safe and do 80 plus mph runs in those conditions. Open bow party bow just doesn't make sense here. And nothing can beat rumble of the twin V8 engines. I will stick with my go fast addiction !

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Not everybody is rich. Especially these days. I feel lucky to own a small rib. Quick enough for me, carries the whole family and cheap to run...for a boat. They are also good when the weather is rough, so i feel safe and so do the passengers.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

@Jimmy Scott wow. Never had a boat that could do 60 plus. Usually requires ridiculous horsepower. I've long thought that small boats can be big fun. Just as well cos I can't afford a big one!

[@mrd222]

I completely agree with this whole video but there’s one thing a outboard will never be able to do sound like a big motor exhausting into the water you cannot tell me you ever heard an outboard sound like a big motor in board the sound is just undeniable

[@mrd222]

@chris ryan Totally agree Chris. I wouldn’t go with I/O ever again.

[@douglaselliott8298]

In what few maritime experiences I've had with 'speed boats' all I really recall was the pounding headache from all the pounding by the waves. Wouldn't a hydrofoil design prove far less exhausting as well as fuel efficient?

[@dannysdailys]

No, rough sea is rough sea.

[@patrickshaw8595]

Just buy an airplane and learn how to fly very low.

[@jimj2683]

Yes, check out the new Candela C8 hydrofoil.

[@BIGBADWOOD]

Fountain Powerboats files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again Stick a fork in him Reggie Fountain he be done ! The company listed more than $53 million in liabilities and less than $50,000 in assets, according to court documents. A total of $53,605,987.16 is owed to First Capital

[@anthonysiegel4685]

Yes I'm still ol school. I love the V Bottom.. cool vid

[@YourAubsome]

Awesome! I'm gonna try a really fast boat soon. I drove the Shadow Six Typhoon recently and it was amazing!!

[@Abandoned_Brane]

I had a 34 scarab. It was fast but kinda junky as it had been raced hard. I mostly used it to pick up chicks when waterfront bars were a big thing in Cleveland.

[@jackoff1826]

The good ol days of The Flats

[@supernova255Jv]

Hahahah Cleveland here as well. Still got my little 454 nova!

[@invisiblerevolution]

Cleveland????? I thought Cleveland was landlocked?

[@jackoff1826]

@@invisiblerevolution not so, on a Great Lake, beaches and all.

[@invisiblerevolution]

@@jackoff1826 Oh wow! I'm from Philadelphia.... didn't even know, Cleveland Ohio was right next to water. You guys are kind of like Chicago.... livin right on a great lake.

[@boatman2628]

Pretty much spot on, I would add one more factor. I owned a power boat dealership in the 90's and early 2000's. After 911 there seemed to be a shift away from the big, loud and obnoxious toys, at least in my market. Unfortunately for me I had gone away from ski and wakeboard boats and was out of business a few years later. I agree that the outboard is much easier to live with and center console style lets you bring all your friends with!

[@LifenSantaBarbara]

There's nothing like the beautiful sound of twin big blocks roaring across the water at 75+ mph, that's something that center consoles with outboards can't ever duplicate. And for that reason I will never change over

[@Barefoot-Bob]

I'm still doing 70 with a single 502 motor . I Don't want to center consoled fishing boat.

[@Bass_attack7755]

Lol obviously OP hasn't heard of bullet or Alison's

[@Eluderatnight]

@@Bass_attack7755 seven, or merc 600s.

[@Eluderatnight]

@@Barefoot-Bob there are centerconsoles that cruise at 70.

[@BaldKiwi117]

@@Eluderatnight yeah I've seen a midnight express with a 6 engine setup and it was beautiful.

[@Blackcuda]

Yes its true modern outboards have changed the game, but the transition to center console boats started in the mid eighties , between 26 to 37 foot with double and triple outboards. These boats became more popular with drug smuggles, they were much cheaper, more reliable, quieter, used less fuel and were much easier to load and unload. The big loud go fast boats, were usually the toys of the smugglers, and raced them or just showed off with them with some exceptions . They still draw a lot of attention when ever you see or hear them.

[@mmanut]

IVE OWNED A FEW SCREAMERS IN MY PAST, STARTED WITH A 27 ft Avanti, then a 39 ft Formula and a few more. You hit the nail on the head, the new outboard motors along with the center console did a number on them. Nothing beats the twin IO With huge HP. LOVE IT‼️👍👍 Vinny 🇺🇸

[@acbalance]

Cool vid. I remember a quote in NZ Powerboat magazine in the late 80s about American Offshore Speedboats. "Your average run of the millionaire can afford to buy one. He just can't afford to run one."

[@jgatkinson744]

Yep Miami Vice did make fountain and scarabs very famous it was the TV show that played up the fanciest clothes the biggest diamond rings diamond studded Rolex watches Ferraris and Lamborghinis and white Miami homes with a brown roof mansions huge huge swimming pools and Palm trees they really know how to dress and throw a party and the 80s

[@johnisaacs2774]

Go fast boats are ok here in Michigan. Pontoons are definitely the new water party time vessel. Boaters are clickish and stay with their own kind

[@williamvosburg2553]

A former power quest boat owner I can still a lot powerquest boats around from 20 to 30 years ago, the horsepower is not insane like a cigarette, so the engines last longer, can’t beat the drone of a big block V-8 on the water. It’s about gas prices nobody feels good dropping a 1000 dollars filling up there 38 foot offshore boat no matter how rich you are!

[@powerboatguy2308]

They are all considered "Go Fast" boats, the center console has gained popularity due to it having more utility as it can be a huge family hauler, fishing cruiser and can move pretty quick. But if you are looking to go 100 m.p.h and beyond, these boats will not be for you. I'm noticing larger high performance outboard cats now since the outboards are hitting 450 h.p, that can perform with just twins., I don't think Go Fast are dead, but I do think the power configurations will be different, some people will move away from the supercharged big blocks and go for the reliability of the outboards. .

[@djscott9207]

As costs, including fuel, continue to escalate and downtime becomes a thing of the past, soon outboards will replace I/O entirely -- except in the most expensive machinery.

[@andrewfarrell4312]

Fountain powerboats has started using turbos on their powerboats. The 38 lightning could barely hit 90 ,if that ,20 years ago. Now they are running over 120 on race gas. But they have also made huge advancements with their center consoles. The new v12 verado 600 hp is gonna change everything. That being said,I grew up on the pamlico river,only about 20 some miles down from fountain powerboats headquarters. Nothing will ever be as cool as watching them do sea trials at dawn or dusk when it's flat calm,or just a little chop,and watching them go by at 100+ mph! You could hear them for a couple min before they came into your sight,and you could hear them for 5 or 10 after they passed. Good memories! #Fountainpowerboats #APBA #PAMLICO RIVER

[@active3332]

Quite a few of these boats have had the most popular Mercury motor ever produced which is the 525 EFI. Also the 525 block is used in the SCI series of engines produced. Top end jobs are roughly 6 to 7K for twins around 250 to 300hrs and full rebuilds at 500 to 600hrs at 25 to 30k for twins. That's quite a few years of boating to reach those run time hours. Also the V bottom inboard motor market has made a big come back this year. Used boat prices are through the roof right now. I wouldn't say they have went out of style just yet.

[@ssoffshore5111]

But how many POS Bravo $7k drives popped between between engine rebuilds??? (SSM 6 owner, lol)

[@active3332]

@@ssoffshore5111 Many are from people not controlling the throttles correctly. Also spend the extra money and go with a drive guardian instead of the stock coupler if you are running bravo drives.

[@ronh8126]

Apparently my local tax assessor agrees with you.

[@j.thomas7128]

Who said high performance went out of style? Nah man. Just opposite. It got so big that they started to make all boats into performance boats. 100mph pontoon boats. 90mph center consoles. 80mph RHIBs. 70mph ski boats. 60mph rowboats. Even stock jetskis are blowing past 70mph. I love a deck boat that can hold 14 people with a porta potty, fridge, and grill, but can still do 130mph in a 3' chop when the load is light. Why does it have to look like a 40 year old Miami vice boat???

[@paulnorman8274]

"Why does it have to look like a 40 year old Miami vice boat???" For the same reason Aronow, and others who evolved the "Miami Vice boats," chose not to race

[@j.thomas7128]

@@paulnorman8274 Right! There was more money in smuggling drugs than only in selling boats! Just ask Aronow... oh wait, ya can't. Rata-tatta tattared and all the smugglers splattered.

[@bingobongo143]

I’ve always loved the sound of a powerboat ever since I was a kid. I’d love to own one but they’re so expensive and not worth the investment unless you truly can afford it. A guy can dream though

[@TUBELSLIDER]

You hit the nail on the head. 100% accurate regarding the downfall of traditional go-fast boats. The third nail in the coffin has been the advance of Cats (catamaran boats). Power for power, they are faster than V bottoms and have more room in the cockpits. With the advancement of outboard power-plants and the extra room attained in the cockpit due to the motors being mounted outside the transom, many manufacturers have moved in the direction of outboard motor installations and have shied away from I/O powerplants.

[@angrydragonslayer]

This here, i spent a year on a modified (way bigger motors and some hull reinforcement) electric 55-footer that could comfortably house 6 people at sea for months at a time and still get up to ~55 knots (highest i got was 45, motors could go further but i chickened out) for maybe an hour or two if you wanted it to.

[@Royalties500]

Too funny cause it relates. When I was 25 I bought my first semi "go fast" boat a 29ft baja. Much as I loved dropping the bolster seats down and hammering the throttles. Most people who I invited or entertained were not fans of going "fast" girls getting their hair messed up. Everything inside flying out -towels - hats - bags and more. Then let's talk about the creature comforts you give up.... A bimini - a narrow beam boat with less room.. Planing speed for water activities too high.. The seating is limited and the room for gear to take along is more limited. Pros and cons. If your goal is to "go fast yes.... If your goal is to entertain people it's rather limited.

[@charlieodom9107]

The 29' outlaw is a HUGE boat! It is heavy and takes a LOT of power to get it going. A pair of 525s in that thing barely gets it to 70! Compare that to a Velocity 322 with a pair of 525s! It will do 90+!!!! I still love the ride of a Baja compared to a lot of other boats though.

[@j.thomas7128]

Dude, check out a Magic 28' Deck Boat. You can party with 9 of your friends and have built in coolers, grill, and even porta potty. When it's a light load, the large single can run in high 70s low 80s. The 30' with twins can party with 14 people or rocket through a 3' chop at 100+. Best of both worlds

[@Royalties500]

@@charlieodom9107 Oh trust me when I say "literally thought I was Don Johnson himself" lol. At the time I absolutely loved it, least for the first couple years. Moved on to a new enclosed hardtop and having air conditioning and a generator is beyond anything I ever anticipated.

[@cleverusernamecl5532]

@@j.thomas7128 28 foot deck boat with 14 people 100 mph plus? Is that for real?

[@j.thomas7128]

@@cleverusernamecl5532 Hey man. Reread my original post. Typically, the 28' cat deck boats with a single have a 9 or ten person capacity and when the load is light (not with ten souls onboard) it can run high 70s low 80s. The 30' cat-hull deck boats with twin screws have generally up to a 14 or 15 person capacity, but when the load is light (not fully loaded. (Not 15 people)), they can run 100+ in a 3' chop. But yeah, check out Magic Boats, Eliminator, Domin8r, Nordic, Skater, World Cat, and others for their "cat-hull deck boats". You'll be amazed how performance and party can go together.

[@JacobAAllen]

I agree with your reasons. You can get everything from a go fast in a center console and dual console. Plus they not family friendly boats.

[@DrummerJohn]

And now Mercury has the 600 HP v-12 outboard with 2 speed transmissions. Power heads are stationary while the gearbox and props steer. Badass!

[@joshlewis5065]

Crazy world we live in

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

The weight is what? I saw a Pantera 36 CC with a 600 outboard, but they didn't like it because of the weight.

[@drewmorg.]

As a Californian, thanks for the perspective man! I have been watching so many Miami Boat culture videos this summer and man, what a life! I love the Haulover inlet channels and just seeing all the high performance, low performance, yachts etc. So cool. The cost of fuel BLEW MY MIND when I realized these boats were burning $5000 to go a few hundred miles. I've never heard of such a waste of money in my life lol but it's still cool to watch other people burn it

[@GlowingFernSlowedAndReverb]

The haulover marina is unfortunately succumbing to corporate control due to new management and a company taking over. Not to mention the workers and staff are all feeling it as well. It's a hard job with little pay and above all horrible management.

[@biotribe123]

It's not about miles per gallon. It's about smiles per gallon🥂

[@AfricaGeo]

I remember seeing boat races when I was a kid in Miami .. We would go to Bayside and watch these awesome boats 🚣‍♀️.... good memories

[@harrisn3693]

You had a childhood that most guys of my generation dream about.

[@imnobody8725]

I grew up with 18',19' jet boats with big blocks in the 1970's like Kona, Horizon, Spectra, Tahiti..., still love them as they were fast, fun, safer than a typical prop boat. Sucked when you sucked up the ski rope but easily cut out from the inspection cover on top of the pump. Always enjoyed running at a good speed and throwing it in to reverse to bury the bow in the water and stop the boat. Great brakes. Good times!

[@commanderrussels2612]

I think there will always be a place for traditional high performance boats, but a much smaller segment. You made a lot of good points, but another one is just that the demographic (boomers) that bought those boats are now a lot older. The generation below them is much less likely to be interested in that type of boating, so they go for the higher performance center consoles that give good performance while still allowing for entertaining.

[@djscott9207]

Nope. I think within 10 years the industry will be dead because of so many negatives facing it, especially the PC social pressure, say nothing of fuel and maintenance costs with hyperinflation taking root. This was a rich man's game. In the near future it will only be a uber wealthy billionaire man's game, and there won't be enough of them to keep the traditional high performance boating industry alive.

[@djscott9207]

If it does survive 2030, it will be an extremely niche market, much more so than it is already. Nothing like we once had in the 80's and 90's is ever coming back. Not in our lifetime, anyway. Like others have said, what isn't priced out of existence will be regulated out of existence. I wish I was wrong.

[@commanderrussels2612]

@@djscott9207 I think the regulation will take a bit because it's so small, but yeah my guess is in another ten years you'll have some really elaborate ones being made more as art pieces and the rest being just trash and unwanted.

[@pacificdragon1]

I got a chance to ride a 30ft. Baja Outlaw. It is a lot of fun to go 70MPH on the water!👍

[@xeviuus]

Straight to the point. Thanks for the succinct and informative video. Nowadays KZbin videos are getting too long with a lot of fluff in between actual content.

[@richarddebeer9081]

WELL DONE AND WELL SAID. I'm 77 years old and been a person with "Two FootItis" for my whole life. My dad and I built an eight foot hydroplane for me when I was 12 years old with a 10 horse Mercury, and I've never looked back. After about 10 different boats, I really don't know what I would buy next even if I had the $. I do know I'd buy another one just as soon as I can sell my current one!

[@WattsnRoll]

Did i miss it or did you, how about Fountain (Reggie)? Thanks for sharing.

[@vannigiovannigio8861]

This video is accurate. Thank you for keeping this video sort and sweet and no bs commercial for your channel.

[@stevereagor1859]

Not everybody can afford the new 100k boats, at the Marina, we get just as many looks with my 1982 Wellcraft Nova 23 bought in 85' and still as new solid as a rock

[@nathanjenkins8284]

Most people don't even know what that is. Wellcraft Nova, that was a household name around my house I grew up on a 25 ft 1977 model. We were on that boat every weekend from the time I was 6 months old till we sold it when I was 15.

[@dude7838]

Same sentiment here. We have an 88 Glastron Carlson CV-X 23 and draw total attention wherever we go! Paid for cash money. Gas and maintenance are our only costs of operating.

[@autoshotty]

Agreed...I've been flipping older (+30 years) smaller ( around 20 ft.) boats for some years now. When I'm finished with them they are "head turners" plus I keep the one I like most. I found these to be the most fun, profitable and practical to own.

[@CHEVYSORCROWNS]

Center console boats have blown up on the popularity side big time!

[@alabamasmokeywilson6818]

I loved Miami Vice when I was young. Even dressed like Don Johnson 😆. But I will have to agree with you the upkeep on these engines would be mega $ .Love your channel

[@dieseldog00]

Mercury outboards are very reliable, even the 450s. It's the price that hurts. The Seven motors are just outRAGEOUSLY expensive in every way; ridiculous prices to buy, high maintenance costs and terrible fuel economy, all based on the supercharged GM 6.2L V8.

[@abbottsplace8080]

I like the video. It's all so true. Gas consumption is a factor for sure! I bought a 26' cuddy cabin with twin 350 magnums and it can burn it's tank in 3-4 hours without any problem. That tank of gas is approaching $3000.00!!! My friend who owned it when gas was reasonable, used to use 3-4 tanks in a weekend and that wasn't running all out! Good luck with your channel!

[@lubricantrc3244]

Its not just center console. More the new 4 stroke outboard motors. I see the 4 stroke outboards mounted on 50' full cabin boats too. The convivence of swapping motoes in minutes over days. no more cables . all is fly by wire. Plug and play. boat manufactures have taken advantage of it and designed their boats around outboards. Times are a changing but nothing like the sound of 2, V-8 , 600 CI . super charged motors.

[@koejoe]

Awesome vid for 4.5 min, direct and too the point. Looking forward to seeing all your vids now.

[@rotorr22]

I agree with your assessment. The high HP outboards combined with DTS controls have changed everything. I've owned both outboard and stern drive powered performance hulls and find the outboard far easier to rig and maintain. One factor you did not mention is the fact outboards are self draining. When you live in the northern climates, you always have to be vigilant in draining the blocks and manifolds on the sterndrive when the boat is not in use. One unexpected cold snap and you could have a cracked block, head or manifold. In salt, the exposure to corrosion is also less with the outboard. Having said that, nothing beats the looks of the classic I/O powered offshore performance hull. The center console, to me, still has its roots as a fishing boat. No matter how fancy the paint or how many engines it has, I still see the fishing boat heritage. That is not meant to throw shade on the performance being achieved by these boats, they will just never appeal to me personally vs. a traditional performance V or cat. Then again, I grew up under a different paradigm of what constitutes a "performance boat".

[@miguelrage6810]

4, 5 and 6 engines strapped on your 40 footer just looks awesome and you can have more guests and activities on board.

[@davidryder3374]

I spent the latter part of the 80's installing satellite communications tracking systems in Scarabs and Cigarettes owned by the DEA and US Customs down in the Keys. It was quite an experience for a 24 year old kid just out of the army.

[@smittys19daytona]

Friend just bought 26 DCB with twins 280's tunnels are the way to go for sure and outboards are totally the way to go they do drink the gas as well 1/2 a mile per gallon 300 in fuel like nothing boats have never been an inexpensive game

[@AdventureIsOutThere500]

I am watching this knowing nothing about go fast boats and it was very interesting even for a non-boatguy pov. Thanks!

[@afterdark6822]

Definitely right about center consoles. The Tirranna was a game changer. I'm still stuck in the Scarab/Chris Craft era.

[@scottrais3391]

There will always be go fast people. My friend Dave has (at this time) has two. A DCB 36 AND DCB44 with twin 1500 Mercs. The 36 has hit 164MPH at the lake of the Ozarks run.

[@elvispresley6392]

Not to mention these guys . . ✌😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4ake4WsZ5ylY5I

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

A feeling you can't buy anywhere else.

[@eBaum96]

Bro, I do not comment or sub too often, but your energy and way of speaking got me hooked. Keep on the grind man! Hope to see new content soon!

[@kemicalx17]

Good video and you make great points. I don’t really understand the 4 + engine outboard boat setups.. that’s 4 water pumps, 4 oil changes, 4 lower unit services and so on.. not to mention fuel for each engine. What’s the cost compared to 2 big blocks? I’ll always favor a I/o setup over outboard but each has its own purpose. I do miss true offshore racing. When you needed 3 crew members and the races would stretch for many miles.. now they just have a oval or triangle shaped corse right off the beach.

[@littlejackalo5326]

They probably changed it because straight line races aren't conducive to spectators. You set up and watch them go by for 35 second, then they're out of sight. Boring.

[@jonasstahl9826]

The reason are simple, the maximum speed of the piston is limited do to the lubrication capacity of the oil, means bigger engine less rpm. Means you need more pistons, than the engine gets longer/taller and center of gravity becomes a problem. Also economy of scale, the development cost of a 500hp and a 1000hp engine are the same, but the 1000hp will be pretty rare a 500hp is more or less a normal size.

[@adamwilson7590]

"Be a sponge and learn" : For someone walking into Marine Sport and coming from Motorsport Racing, this video gives great insight on the differences between then and now. Thank-You, Cheers.

[@guardrailbiter]

Hrmmm. The last time someone told me to "be a sponge," he meant I should "suck it up, buttercup."

[@adamwilson7590]

@@guardrailbiter I can see the interpretation of that! I meant it in the manner of absorbing as much information as I possible can on the topic. :)

[@mmfic98]

I agree with the assessment, but there is NOTHING like the sound of an offshore racing boat.

[@erin6381]

Amen to that!!!

[@repetitivemotion]

Good points. I was in boating 40 years ago when the offshore hobby boats wet taking off. I got out of the sport and only recently started watching boats on KZbin (wavy boats, boat zone). Right away I noticed and saw for the first time outboard driven Center Consoles and I wondered where that came from. It makes sense now.

[@coronapack]

The hell there's a downfall. Hasn't changed in popularity. In fact, like in supercars, the biggest and fastest and rarest speed boats are what the rich are competing with on the water.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Thank you for a well thought out post. All of us secretly dreamed of owning one, but never could afford one or even fuel for a long weekend. Like they say: 'Talk is cheap... it takes money to buy whiskey'. Couldn't afford stocking the bar on one either.

[@stephenw5647]

This is an Awesome video!!! DonJ at the helm sportin popped collar and dripping cool. Baddest boats!!

[@pezzonovante888]

I think you're absolutely right. I get the attraction to center consoles, but they have nothing on the cool factor of the traditional v-bottom go-fast.

[@boromirofmiddleearth557]

Great video! Center consoles are more versatile and more open like you said! The tech of outboards has gotten so good as well. Crazy to see 4 or 6 on the stern of a boat! I think go fast boats and center consoles is like comparing a Cessna twin engine plane to a small passenger jet. Great video! Keep at it!

[@justaguy6100]

I remember back when Miss Bardhal was a dominating champion in the unlimited hydroplane racing circuit. Yep, the 60's. I was just a kid, but it inspired me and many of my schoolmates a few years later to make smooth bottom boats in shop. A 10hp outboard and these things were crazy fast... and not that stable. We did get a trip to the Skeeter factory out of it though to learn how to add fiberglass. These little boats where shaped like the original hydroplane boats a la Miss Bardhal, only about 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. You sat on the bottom of it, we'd put something like a stadium seat with a back in there, and very simple control mechanisms (some guys didn't even include a throttle and steering wheel, opting for the outboard motors with a stalk control on them), plywood bonded in fiberglass matting, real light real fast and would skid across the water like a flat rock.

[@rokguitarstar]

It was always amazing to me that Don Johnson on a detectives salary could own and operate a scarab!

[@Cougar1212]

Confiscated from the bad guys. Same with the car.

[@scarab944]

The premise of Miami Vice was that Sonny's a cop posing as an undercover drug dealer, thus how he affords the Scarab, Ferrari, clothes, etc. Not going to catch any kingpins making deals if you look like a broke-ass.

[@lesliehorwinkle]

Chris Craft

[@psygnale]

@@lesliehorwinkle Funny how the Stinger was Sonny's boat in the pilot and all of season one...and in the intro for the entire run of the show...but everybody remembers that Scarab 38KV.

[@chrishenniker5944]

@@scarab944 Did you know that the Miami Vice look started in south London jumble sales?

[@rayjames6096]

I have a Pelican with a trolling motor, it sits two comfortably and get us across a mile wide lake in 10 minutes.

[@edwardcalleja695]

Powerboats remain synonymous for top speed, sleekness, fantastic styling, superb hulls that top marques that emerged from Don's creations brought about that render him an immortal pioneer in powerboat racing history. He had the vision, nose, drive, guts and driving ability to raise to stardom what he created. It is such a pride for those who own one and live the legend's dream.

[@m.bernard7017]

Sure the King of the obnoxious and loud owners

[@cjb8993]

interesting review here. As someone that used to own a Formula 382 Fastech, I can concur that I won't buy another "cigarette" style boat, but rather a catamaran because they're super fast, light, efficient and outboards have made for a virtually maintenance free experience.

[@smallblocksadventures6008]

Great Channel man just subscribed love it.. and yes I've been a big fan of the V bottom go fast boats since the 80s... cigarette Apache Fountain Scarab.. all the bad boy classics

[@erin6381]

Let’s hear it for the bad boys!! 🚤

[@paulc858]

That’s a good point. You made a lot of good observations. It’s like a sedan vs SUV. Power boats isn’t gone but people’s wants and needs are changing hence more power center console are in demand.

[@nicholasfrancis6517]

Great video. Some pointers 90% of go fasts don’t need 50hr engine re build. The Big Mercury 1350 QC4V twin turbos are 200 hour re builds. Most are 300 hr top end and 500-600hr full rebuild. Rec 90 /91 is what most run on. Big supercharged motors are 93 or higher octane (few run race gas except who trailer theirs) Glad there’s still a cult. I grew up on a 382 Fastech. Nothing more I love then big blocks

[@Nikowalker007]

Yeah , the narrator made a typo , most Racing Mercs can easily last 500 hrs between rebuilds, sometimes it’s only high lobe camshafts that needs to be replaced and many can last up to 1000 hrs if you babysit them a bit and don’t run them at wot all the time…

[@shatangatang]

Great video!!! I love that someone has enough passion to make a channel like this

[@gmogfx2632]

In my opinion I would have a speed boat over a fishing boat

[@jbuckets3927]

Ya never know when you might need to zoom on outta dere

[@willraefpv]

Hell no. High performance center consoles are sick. They might be expensive but it’s a boat...

[@ReelJoyy]

I would have both. First fishing second hammer down boat.

[@dakotaautosales9673]

I love the fact that my 38' Fountain only has Room for 5 people I don't want no more than that in my boat anyways

[@bingbang3318]

@@dakotaautosales9673 currently own a 38 fountain staggered 600sc Mercs could not agree more if you have more than 6 people on a boat less than 40 ft I get off even it means swimming

[@robertjohnson4784]

Hey Brother awesome video I used to live in South Florida in Aventura back in 2000 next to Thunder Alley where cigarette and Apache got their start back in the 70s I could remember hearing those Big Blocks firing up it was music to my ears when they would go out of the channel you could literally hear them miles away.

[@jshrawder49]

I did a lot of digging and found that Don was approached by the government and he made boats about 5 MPH faster than the drug smugglers were using. The smugglers ultimately found out and the next thing you know Don was dead. Its a shame as he was a great guy form what everybody said about him.

[@MDRM68]

Just about everybody who was in Law enforcement at the time knew this was the case, but as it was the columbians who whacked him and our Gov was trying to win the "hearts and minds", they let it slide...

[@cubby2605]

Spot on man. I know the new Mercury 1550 is like a 54,000 rebuild after 200 hours. I will always love my go fasts. Too much fun !

[@maxjohnson1758]

Because go fast boats are great. For a few minutes. Then you realize driving nowhere in a boat gets old quick. No room, no fishing, no overnighting, no tubing/skiing, etc., just loud driving and getting pounded while having 70 mile an hour wind ripping your face off.

[@Rileymanification]

My bass boat does well over 70, lower to the water, feels like 170! And then, after all the hauling ass, you get to fish. I still don't understand "pleasure boats" "yeah let's go drive around for a while" and do what? There's no point! Most of them are big turds that can't get out of their own way, just so their owners can drive around.

[@jamesstack7827]

LOL!! So well said.

[@markdulmage2152]

I live near big water.... ya the bass boat will do 75 mph but how does it handle an average day with 4 ft swells..... it won’t , that’s where the derp v shines

[@Rileymanification]

@@markdulmage2152 Sure. I have run in 4 footers. It sucks. I don't make a habit of it, and it doesn't matter what boat you have, fishing in that kinda water, on a lake, sucks. But any other time, I'll take my bass boat ;)

[@farrdawgjoker7087]

I've got a 36 foot baja and I love when people say they will buy gas because it will cost around a thousand dollars to run for 1 day if you keep throttle up the whole time and that changes their minds very quickly!

[@brocluno01]

Nice vid. I was in the boat business when Formula and Donzi were the big names. The excitement was because they were going off shore as fast as course racers were on inland waters. Same time frame as the rise of Jet boats (Tahiti, etc). Family boats were hitting crazy numbers (for those days). Big blocks of any stripe were just coming into their own. So it was all new, every day. The buzz was phenomenal. And you could buy in for less than house money. Maybe just nice car money ... Plus the races went somewhere - Miami to Nassau, or Long Beach to Catalina, or San Francisco to Monterey, etc. Not like that any more ...

[@BTRCHICAGO]

it is sad but most of the young guys have no or too small balls to do that kind of boating. They want to vape and chill on the center console !

[@NailsofNorway]

Do you know where the original Mami boat is now? For about 25 years ago it got imported into a small city in the south of Norway called Langesund(long straits). It was pretty shabby back then but they restored it back to the original look and cruised around for some years. It is still around, I see it every summer but sadly it has lost a lot of it's glory again😔

[@marcin7154]

I'm pretty sure that was more than one. 4 or 6 accually. Some if them are still around.

[@JRGio]

My dad had three Fountains he raced offshore when I was a kid- a 29 ft lightning, which he traded for a 35, and then finally a 42'. I was hardly old enough to appreciate them but they were amazing craft. With twin 1100 horsepower engines it topped out at ~115mph. I can definitely see the appeal of the center console now though with the advancements in technology and design. But I will always miss that 42 Lightning

[@chrisduc1]

I really love my Brig 6,7 with 225Horses outboard meanwhile !!! After Having a 32 foot powerboat with750 hp from 2004 to 2017. it is a total other experience but we prefer it a lot now !! Rib or center consol!!!!👍👍

[@blainesnider9089]

Not everyone wants a buch of drunk people on their boat

[@ajflyingatyomouth2831]

You must be drunk right now to spell "their" incorrectly 😁😁

[@blainesnider9089]

@@ajflyingatyomouth2831 Thank you for the commentary

[@ajflyingatyomouth2831]

@@blainesnider9089 Anytime, buddy

[@blainesnider9089]

I go to havasu i just stay clear of morons

[@simes2002]

@@ajflyingatyomouth2831 In that sentence the spelling of 'their' is correct, if following established rules of English, but 'buch' ?

[@mkp3824]

it was pretty obvious what the reasons were. But that's because I follow boating, too. In the 80's, when I lived on a medium sized lake, my neighbor, for example, had a 24 foot, cabin boat, that looked the shape of a go fast. It had a 454 and a stern drive. It was the coolest boat of its day. By today's standards, it's slow, only going maybe 50 mph. Drinks gasoline like an alcoholic drinks booze. Today, a center console with an outboard motor would destroy it in performance and fuel economy. Soon, only the largest of cruiser boats will be inboard or IPS driven. Even the MJM 53z express cruiser is an outboard. Good video. Good to see the old days.

[@ap8275]

Someone needs to tell him they never go out of style

[@MegaLuigi1961]

Right on the spot 👍 by the way I woder why Volvo stop production of Seve Marine engines. I hope others does not follow their steps.