Don Aronow and the birth of Cigarette Racing
The Cigarette story begins with Don Aronow, the former New Jersey real estate developer who moved to South Florida and became one of the most influential figures in offshore powerboat racing.
Aronow was already a wealthy businessman when he began experimenting with high-speed boats during the early 1960s. His interest quickly developed into an obsession with building faster, stronger and more competitive offshore racing machines.
He founded Formula Marine, Donzi and Magnum before establishing Cigarette Racing Team in 1969.
The company took its place along Northeast 188th Street in North Miami Beach, a corridor that became internationally famous as Thunderboat Row.
Aronow's early Cigarette designs combined narrow beams, deep-V bottoms and powerful gasoline engines. Their reputation was established through racing victories and the ability to operate at impressive speeds in difficult offshore conditions.
The original Cigarette boats were expensive, loud and unmistakably aggressive.
But they also appealed to customers who had no intention of entering professional competition.
Wealthy recreational owners wanted the same appearance and performance associated with championship-winning offshore racers.
The result was an entirely new luxury market built around high-performance boating.
By the 1970s, the Cigarette name had become so widely recognized that enthusiasts sometimes used the word generically to describe long, narrow offshore speedboats, even when they were built by competitors.
That brand recognition would become one of the foundations of the Top Gun's success.
1986: the Top Gun joins the lineup
Cigarette introduced the Top Gun line in 1986, giving the company a new model that would eventually become one of its most enduring designs.
The boat followed the established offshore formula: a long pointed bow, narrow hull, protected cockpit and a pair of large V8 marine engines.
Its low profile communicated speed even when it was tied to a dock.
But the Top Gun was more than a styling exercise.
The boat was designed to appeal to recreational owners who wanted serious offshore performance without purchasing a dedicated race boat.
The cockpit provided seating for the driver and passengers, while a small cabin beneath the forward deck offered shelter and limited cruising accommodations.
Early Top Guns reflected the design language of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including bold paint schemes and the distinctive windscreen arrangements associated with performance boats of the period.
Over the years, Cigarette revised the hull, deck, cockpit and propulsion packages.
Later versions incorporated stepped running surfaces, updated engine technology, digital electronics and more sophisticated interiors.
The silhouette, however, remained instantly recognizable.
For generations of offshore enthusiasts, the 38 Top Gun became one of the defining Cigarette models.
It offered a rare combination of racing heritage, recreational practicality and an appearance that never needed much explanation.
Why the deep-V hull matters
The traditional Cigarette running surface was developed around one basic challenge: maintaining speed and control in open-water conditions.
A long, narrow deep-V hull enters waves differently from a flatter-bottomed pleasure boat.
Its sharper forward sections help separate and redirect the water, while the V-shaped bottom provides a relatively progressive ride when encountering chop.
Later factory specifications for the 38 Top Gun list a 24-degree transom deadrise.
That is a notably deep V for a recreational performance boat.
The shape helps explain why the Top Gun developed such a strong reputation among offshore enthusiasts who regularly operate outside sheltered inland waterways.
However, the design also presents engineering challenges.
A narrow deep-V hull needs substantial power to achieve very high speeds, and its handling depends on correct trim, drive setup and loading.
Some later Top Guns used stepped bottoms intended to reduce drag and improve efficiency.
Stepped hulls introduce air beneath portions of the running surface, reducing wetted area under suitable conditions.
The technique can improve performance, but proper setup and experienced operation remain important.
The result is a boat that rewards knowledgeable handling rather than relying on engine power alone.
That relationship between hull design and driver skill is central to the appeal of traditional offshore performance boating.
Twin V8 Power: The Engines Behind the Top Gun
The Cigarette 38 Top Gun has been offered with numerous engine packages during its long production history.
Traditional installations use two high-performance gasoline V8 engines mounted beneath the rear engine hatch.
Power is transferred through sterndrives, allowing the propellers to operate behind the transom while keeping the engines inside the hull.
Mercury Racing became one of the most important engine suppliers for the model.
Popular packages have included the Mercury Racing 500EFI, HP525EFI, 565 and supercharged 600 SCi.
Different combinations of horsepower, gear ratios, propellers and drive systems can produce substantially different performance.
One particularly well-documented test took place in 2004, when a Top Gun equipped with twin Mercury Racing HP525EFI engines was evaluated during performance trials in Fort Myers, Florida.
The two engines were connected to Bravo One drives with shortened Sport Master lower units.
On radar, the boat reached 86.4 mph.
That was an impressive result for a substantial deep-V offshore boat with approximately 1,050 combined rated engine horsepower.
At 4,000 rpm, the test crew recorded approximately 64 mph.
At 4,500 rpm, the boat reached 76 mph.
The results demonstrated the capabilities of the hull and propulsion package without requiring the extreme horsepower ratings found in some later offshore racing boats.
The Top Gun's development did not stop with the familiar 500- and 525-horsepower engines.
Later versions offered additional Mercury Racing power, including engines rated at 565 and 600 horsepower each.
Cigarette's published modern configuration lists a maximum combined output of 1,200 horsepower.
That rating corresponds to twin Mercury Racing 600 SCi engines.
Other boats have been modified with larger engines, superchargers, upgraded drives and specialized fuel systems.
These changes can produce greater performance, but they also introduce additional mechanical demands.
A 38 Top Gun with a highly modified engine package is not directly comparable with one retaining its original factory power.
Engine hours, overhaul records, cooling-system condition and drive maintenance are therefore essential when evaluating an individual boat.
The engine note remains one of the Top Gun's defining characteristics.
Twin large-displacement marine V8s produce a deep exhaust sound that is immediately familiar to offshore enthusiasts.
With suitable exhaust systems, the sound can be heard well before the boat enters a marina.
That mechanical presence is part of the traditional Cigarette experience.
It also demands responsible operation: engine and exhaust noise, local speed restrictions, sea conditions and passenger safety all matter.
Performance reference: 2004 Top Gun performance test and Cigarette Racing's published 38 Top Gun specifications.
Cigarette 38 Top Gun Technical Specifications
Specifications changed during the Top Gun's long production history. The following comparison distinguishes a boat independently tested in 2004 from Cigarette Racing's later published model configuration.
| Specification | 2004 Tested Boat | Later Factory-Published Model |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Cigarette 38 Top Gun | Cigarette 38 Top Gun |
| Hull type | Stepped deep-V monohull | Refined deep-V monohull |
| Length | 37'8" measured specification | 37'6" published specification |
| Beam | 8' | 8' |
| Transom deadrise | 22° reported for test hull | 24° factory listing |
| Construction | Reinforced fiberglass | Advanced fiber-reinforced composite construction |
| Weight | 9,175 lb stated hull weight | Approximately 9,900 lb in selected later specifications |
| Engines | Twin Mercury Racing HP525EFI | Twin Mercury Racing 565 or 600 SCi |
| Combined rated horsepower | 1,050 hp | 1,130–1,200 hp |
| Drives | Bravo One with Sport Master lower units | Bravo XR |
| Fuel capacity | 240 U.S. gallons | 238 U.S. gallons, factory listing |
| Recorded maximum speed | 86.4 mph on radar | Varies by engine package and setup |
| Recorded cruising performance | 64 mph at 4,000 rpm | Varies by engine and hull configuration |
| Measured fuel economy | Approximately 1.3 mpg at 64 mph | Varies by load and propulsion package |
| Original price reference | $389,000 base; $400,000 as tested | Individually quoted based on equipment and customization |
Different production years and test methods explain the variation in hull length, deadrise, weight and fuel capacity. Engine ratings are not measured top speeds. Buyers should confirm the specifications of an individual boat using its hull identification number, original documentation and a marine survey.
Thunderboat Row: the street that made Miami famous
The Cigarette name is inseparable from North Miami Beach's legendary Thunderboat Row.
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Northeast 188th Street attracted some of the most ambitious performance-boat builders in America.
Don Aronow's companies helped establish the area as an international center of offshore racing technology.
The street became a gathering place for racing drivers, marine engineers, boat owners and wealthy customers.
There were powerful engines being tested, custom hulls under construction and boats arriving from racing events throughout the United States.
The atmosphere also reflected the changing character of South Florida during the period.
Miami's waterfront economy was expanding, and the city's international reputation was growing.
Offshore performance boats attracted legitimate recreational buyers and professional racers, but their speed also drew interest from criminal smuggling organizations.
That association became part of the broader history of Miami's cocaine-trafficking era.
Aronow himself was murdered on February 3, 1987, along the same corridor where he had built his powerboat businesses.
His death became one of South Florida's most notorious criminal cases.
The original industrial landscape of Thunderboat Row has changed substantially, but the companies established there helped shape American performance boating for decades.
Cigarette Racing remains one of the most recognizable names to emerge from that era.
The Miami Vice connection: an important distinction
The Cigarette 38 Top Gun looks as though it belongs in an episode of Miami Vice.
Its elongated hull, powerful engines and vivid custom graphics capture the atmosphere of the show almost perfectly.
But the boat most closely associated with Sonny Crockett was not the Cigarette Top Gun.
During the earlier episodes, the series featured a Chris-Craft Stinger.
Later seasons made the Wellcraft Scarab 38 KV famous, with its distinctive dark-blue and turquoise color scheme.
The Cigarette Top Gun belongs to the same South Florida performance-boat culture, rather than being the principal on-screen boat used by Crockett.
That distinction matters to collectors seeking historically accurate examples of the era.
The show's success nevertheless increased international awareness of long, narrow offshore powerboats.
Even people who knew little about marine engineering began associating the silhouette with Miami, waterfront wealth and high-speed adventure.
For a generation, a long offshore powerboat with a pair of roaring V8s became as recognizable a South Florida symbol as an exotic sports car.
The Top Gun benefited from the attention and helped carry that image into the following decades.
From Miami to the Lake of the Ozarks
Although Cigarette was born in South Florida, the Top Gun developed an enthusiastic following far beyond the Atlantic coast.
One of the most important markets became Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks.
The lake's extensive shoreline, waterfront restaurants and established performance-boating community made it a natural destination for high-powered V-bottom boats.
Poker runs and owner gatherings helped establish the region as one of America's most active recreational performance-boating centers.
A Cigarette Top Gun could be used for a weekend gathering, a waterfront restaurant visit or a carefully organized performance run.
Unlike a dedicated offshore race boat, a recreational Top Gun offered seating and a forward cabin, making it suitable for a wider range of activities.
Owners also became enthusiastic about upgrading older boats.
New electronics, upholstery, engine packages and custom graphics allowed the classic hull to remain appealing long after the original build date.
The result was a strong secondhand market and an unusually active restoration community.
Today, Top Guns can be found in Florida, Missouri, New England and overseas boating destinations.
Notable Cigarette 38 Top Guns and the People Behind Them
Unlike Ferrari or Lamborghini, offshore powerboats are not commonly documented through famous celebrity chassis records. The Top Gun's most interesting ownership stories often involve racing teams, marine-industry personalities and enthusiasts who have extensively customized their boats.
Skip Braver and the Caveman Top Gun
Businessman Skip Braver acquired Cigarette Racing in 2002 and guided the company through a period of substantial modernization.
One particularly memorable boat from his era was a 38 Top Gun known as Caveman.
In 2010, Cigarette partnered with the offshore racing team associated with Miss GEICO, one of the most recognizable names in American powerboat racing.
The Caveman Top Gun received distinctive Miss GEICO-inspired blue graphics and served as a VIP and pace boat at selected offshore racing events.
Powered by twin Mercury Racing engines producing approximately 1,050 combined horsepower, it was described as capable of speeds in the region of 90 mph.
Its purpose was not to compete directly with the much faster Miss GEICO catamaran.
Instead, it demonstrated how a performance-oriented recreational Cigarette could participate in the atmosphere of professional offshore racing.
The Lip-Ship Edition: a sought-after variation
Among enthusiasts of classic Cigarette powerboats, the Lip-Ship Edition carries particular recognition.
These boats are associated with Miami performance-boat specialist Phil Lipschutz and the customization culture surrounding Cigarette Racing.
Individual Lip-Ship boats may feature specialized construction, graphics, engine installations or other owner-selected details.
A particularly interesting example is a 2000 Cigarette 38 Top Gun Lipship Edition TS that was advertised during 2026.
The boat was described as a Miami two-step boat-show example and equipped with twin naturally aspirated 572-cubic-inch engines rated at approximately 685 horsepower each.
Its listing quoted approximately 90 mph, although that was a seller-reported figure rather than an independent contemporary test.
The boat demonstrates how extensively individual Top Guns can differ from standard factory configurations.
For collectors, documented construction details and original ownership records are especially valuable.
Casey Hackenkamp's restored 2002 Top Gun
A 2002 Cigarette 38 Top Gun owned by Nebraska enthusiast Casey Hackenkamp became a notable restoration project during 2014 and 2015.
The boat was extensively customized by Waves and Wheels in Missouri.
The project included a redesigned interior, custom upholstery, advanced lighting and a major entertainment-system installation.
The cabin received additional equipment, including a television and upgraded audio system.
The cockpit was redesigned with new seating, electronics and controls.
Hackenkamp planned to bring the completed boat to South Florida for a Miami Boat Show Poker Run organized by the Florida Powerboat Club.
The project demonstrated how an older Top Gun could be transformed into a highly personalized modern performance boat while retaining its original hull.
The modern Mercury Racing Top Gun
The Top Gun survived several changes in the Cigarette Racing business while continuing to receive mechanical and cosmetic improvements.
Later factory offerings incorporated twin Mercury Racing 565 engines or optional 600 SCi packages.
The cockpit became more sophisticated, with upgraded Garmin displays, digital engine instrumentation and improved seating.
Advanced composite construction helped Cigarette refine the hull while preserving the traditional deep-V design.
Custom paintwork remained a defining characteristic.
Rather than treating the model as a historical design that had to remain unchanged, Cigarette continued adapting it to modern recreational boating.
Its longevity is particularly unusual in a business where performance-boat models often disappear after only a few years.
Custom Paint, Interiors and the Cigarette Lifestyle
No ordinary factory color chart
Unlike an automobile manufacturer that offers a relatively fixed exterior paint palette, Cigarette Racing has long emphasized individual graphics and custom paintwork.
A Top Gun may wear traditional racing stripes, geometric shapes, colorful fades or intricate airbrushed designs.
Some owners prefer classic white hulls with contrasting blue or red accents.
Others select bright yellow, orange, purple or metallic colors that make the boat recognizable from a considerable distance.
Multi-layer graphics are particularly associated with the performance-boating culture of the 1990s and early 2000s.
A carefully executed custom paint scheme can be a significant part of a Top Gun's identity.
However, not every dramatic color scheme was applied when the boat was new.
Many older Cigarettes have been repainted during restorations or engine upgrades.
For collectors interested in originality, photographs from the original delivery and early ownership records can help establish the boat's first appearance.
For owners interested primarily in recreation, a custom repaint offers the opportunity to create something entirely individual.
A cockpit built around speed
The traditional Top Gun cockpit emphasizes keeping the driver and passengers secure during high-speed operation.
Bolster seats allow occupants to stand with their knees partially bent, helping absorb some of the motion encountered in offshore conditions.
The driver has access to the steering wheel, throttle controls, drive-trim indicators and other instruments used to manage the boat's performance.
Later models introduced modern GPS displays, digital engine management and upgraded electronics.
Cigarette also refined the seating, dashboard and upholstery to provide greater comfort.
The forward cabin offers a place to escape the weather, store equipment or relax during a stop.
It is not intended to compete with a conventional luxury motor yacht.
The Top Gun's appeal comes from its speed, appearance and driving experience, with the cabin providing useful but secondary accommodations.
That balance helps explain why the model has remained popular with enthusiasts who want a genuine offshore performance boat rather than a conventional cruiser.
What Does a Cigarette 38 Top Gun Cost in 2026?
The used market for the Cigarette 38 Top Gun varies considerably according to model year, engine package, mechanical condition and customization.
Unlike rare collector cars sold at major public auctions, most Top Guns are offered privately or through marine brokerages. Asking prices therefore provide a more readily available market reference than verified completed sale prices.
The following examples were advertised during the October 2026 market review.
| Model Year | Advertised Price | Location | Market Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 Top Gun | $89,980 | Illinois | Older 38-foot example listed through Boat Trader. |
| 2000 Top Gun TS | $120,000 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Twin-step example advertised by Rick Obey Yacht Sales. |
| 2000 Top Gun | $149,900 | Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri | Lipship Edition with modified twin-engine installation. |
| 2002 Top Gun | $169,900 | Massachusetts | 38-foot model offered through Boston Yacht Sales. |
| 2003 Top Gun | $239,900 | Missouri | Twin-engine example with significant engine and drive work described. |
These listings indicate that older Top Guns can be advertised for less than $100,000, while highly maintained or upgraded examples may be offered for $200,000 or more.
The range does not mean that every boat within a particular model year has the same value.
A vessel with freshly rebuilt engines, recently serviced drives, sound fiberglass construction and extensive documentation may deserve a substantial premium over a similar boat requiring expensive mechanical work.
Conversely, a boat with attractive custom paint but aging engines, corroded components or structural problems can require considerable additional investment.
The original 2004 performance-test boat had a base retail price of approximately $389,000, with its tested equipment bringing the price to $400,000.
That historical new-boat price helps explain why well-maintained older Cigarettes remain expensive relative to ordinary recreational boats.
The Top Gun was built as a premium performance product rather than an inexpensive weekend runabout.
Market references: Boat Trader listings, YachtWorld listings and 2004 original retail pricing.
Pricing note: These are advertised prices observed in October 2026, not completed sale prices or appraisals. Listings can change or disappear. A professional marine survey, engine inspection and comparable completed transactions are important when determining the value of a particular boat.
Buying a Used Cigarette 38 Top Gun: What Matters Most
Engines and sterndrives
The propulsion system is one of the most expensive parts of a performance boat to repair or replace.
A prospective buyer should confirm engine model numbers, actual operating hours, rebuild history and the age of major mechanical components.
Compression and leak-down testing may help establish engine condition, while oil analysis and examination of maintenance records provide additional information.
Sterndrives should be inspected for gear wear, corrosion, water intrusion and evidence of previous impact damage.
Owners who have substantially increased horsepower should be able to explain whether the drives, steering and other components were upgraded to accommodate the additional load.
A boat advertised as having rebuilt engines should be accompanied by invoices showing who performed the work and what was replaced.
Without that documentation, an engine rebuild claim should be treated cautiously.
Hull construction and structural integrity
The Top Gun's reinforced fiberglass hull is designed for demanding marine conditions, but years of high-speed use can place considerable loads on the structure.
A qualified marine surveyor should inspect the bottom, stringers, bulkheads, transom and engine-mounting areas.
Evidence of cracking, previous repairs, water intrusion or improperly installed hardware deserves careful attention.
The condition of the stepped running surfaces is especially important on boats equipped with stepped hulls.
Incorrect repairs can affect the way a performance hull behaves at speed.
Buyers should also examine the steering system, trim tabs, fuel tanks and electrical equipment.
Because these boats can operate at substantial speeds, repairs and modifications should be carried out by qualified performance-marine specialists.
Originality, restoration and paperwork
Not every Top Gun buyer wants a factory-original boat.
Some enthusiasts prefer modernized engines, updated navigation electronics and completely redesigned interiors.
Others appreciate the original appearance and mechanical configuration of an early model.
Both approaches can be legitimate, but documentation is important.
The hull identification number should agree with the vessel's title and registration records.
Original build information, engine serial numbers, repair invoices and historic photographs can help establish the boat's identity.
A comprehensive restoration history may be particularly valuable when the vessel has undergone extensive custom work.
A knowledgeable broker or surveyor familiar with high-performance offshore boats can help distinguish a properly maintained classic from an expensive restoration project.
Cigarette 38 Top Gun: Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is a Cigarette 38 Top Gun?
Speed depends on engine power, hull configuration, loading and water conditions. A 2004 boat with twin Mercury Racing HP525EFI engines reached 86.4 mph during an independent test. Some modified examples are reported to exceed 90 mph, but individual claims should be verified.
How much horsepower does a 38 Top Gun have?
There is no single horsepower rating for every Top Gun. Engine installations vary considerably across production years. Cigarette's later factory-published model offered twin Mercury Racing 565 or 600 SCi engines, with up to 1,200 combined horsepower.
Who founded Cigarette Racing?
Don Aronow established Cigarette Racing Team in 1969 after previously founding Formula, Donzi and Magnum. His companies helped make Northeast 188th Street in North Miami Beach famous as Thunderboat Row.
Was the Cigarette Top Gun the boat in Miami Vice?
No. The main high-performance boats associated with Sonny Crockett were the Chris-Craft Stinger and the Wellcraft Scarab 38 KV. The Cigarette Top Gun became part of the same offshore-boating culture and shares the style associated with that era.
How much does a used Cigarette Top Gun cost?
Advertised prices in October 2026 included examples from approximately $90,000 to $240,000. Condition, engines, structural integrity, upgrades and documentation can produce substantial differences. Asking prices are not necessarily final sale prices.
Is a Cigarette 38 Top Gun good for rough water?
The model's deep-V hull was developed with offshore conditions in mind. However, rough-water capability does not make high-speed operation safe in all sea states. Performance depends on conditions, loading, maintenance and operator experience.
Why the Cigarette 38 Top Gun Remains an Offshore Legend
Few recreational powerboats have maintained the recognition of the Cigarette 38 Top Gun.
Its success is partly the result of a silhouette that has remained recognizable for decades.
The long pointed bow, narrow beam, low cockpit and powerful twin-engine layout represent an approach to performance boating that began long before modern center-console boats became popular.
The Top Gun also carries the heritage of one of America's most influential boatbuilding companies.
Don Aronow's contributions to offshore racing helped establish Cigarette as a recognizable name far beyond the marine industry.
Later owners and engineers continued that tradition, refining the Top Gun's construction and mechanical systems while preserving its essential character.
The result is a boat that represents different things to different generations.
For some enthusiasts, it recalls the Miami offshore racing scene of the 1980s.
For others, it represents poker runs, customized performance boats and waterfront gatherings at destinations such as the Lake of the Ozarks.
Collectors may appreciate the history of particular boats, while experienced recreational owners value the performance and unmistakable engine sound.
Its continuing appeal is especially impressive because the offshore boating market has changed substantially since the original Top Gun was introduced.
Modern catamarans can achieve extraordinary speeds, and large performance center consoles combine extensive passenger accommodations with considerable horsepower.
But the classic Cigarette-style deep-V remains a category of its own.
There is something distinctive about a long, narrow monohull running across open water with twin V8 engines behind the cockpit.
The experience combines mechanical performance, boat-handling skill and a powerful connection to South Florida's boating history.
The Cigarette 38 Top Gun helped establish that tradition and carried it into the modern era.
For enthusiasts of American go-fast boats, it remains one of the most important names in offshore performance boating.