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Team Hula Girl
09-05-2003, 12:00 AM
I happen to run into this boat the other day and was talking to the owner. He told me some of the history of the boat. It was very interesting to hear. Rumor has it that this is the oldest 233 still in existence. If anyone is interested I will tell more of his story. here are a few pictures of the hull during restoration.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/pict0096.jpg
www.donzi.net/photos/pict0097.jpg (http://www.donzi.net/photos/pict0097.jpg)
www.donzi.net/photos/pict0098.jpg (http://www.donzi.net/photos/pict0098.jpg)
www.donzi.net/photos/pict0099.jpg (http://www.donzi.net/photos/pict0099.jpg)


John

Cuda
09-05-2003, 07:10 AM
MadPoodle:
Killer hull, one of my favorits. I am looking for a CC version of one to restore.

Tell us a bor about this one..

Scott B

Trivia question: How many versions of this hull did Formula build?


Trivia question 2: How many clones of this hull were built (Brands)? Answer to number 2, in my opinion, that is the boat on which all performance v hulls in existence was based on,

Greg Maier
09-05-2003, 11:11 AM
Here is a Formula 233 that is sitting in my parents back yard. My brother found it at the dump. Some guy bought it to restore and decided not to continue, so he dropped it off at the dump. It was sitting on its side in a marshy part of the dump. The guy told us that if we can get it out of there, we can have it, title and all. After 4 hours of work with some house jacks, we finally got it onto the 22 Classic trailer. The interior has been completely stripped out. My brother wants to put an outboard on her when she is done, which would not be my choice, but it is his boat. He is pretty sure that it is a 1965 model.

Picture 1 (http://www.donzi.net/photos/gmaierform1.jpg) Picture 2 (http://www.donzi.net/photos/gmaierform2.jpg) Picture 3 (http://www.donzi.net/photos/gmaierform3.jpg)

Team Hula Girl
09-05-2003, 11:20 AM
according to the owner, this boats name was "cigarette". The name was placed above the motor on the transom. This is where Don got the name "cigarette" This was the boat that won the miami to key west race in the early sixties. (1963??) I think he said the number on the side of the boat was "16" ? (can be seen in THUNDERBOAT ROW). I don't have a copy for reference.

Apparently hull one and two were destroyed from use. This hull being the third one that was built would be the oldest Aronow formula?

The owner had the motor block also, a 4 or 6 cylinder that was a monster.

Interested in hearing others input and maybe some input from anyone that was around during that time. How would you indentify the hull with no hull id #'s present? anybody remember any distinctive markings?

This boat is going through a complete restore and should be ready early next year. He said the boat was going to be as original as possible.

John

I can probably take some more pics if needed.

Formula 233
09-14-2003, 05:37 PM
JOHN AND BEA GREAT FIND ONE OF THE BEST 23 FOOTERS EVER MADE I HAVE 73 233 MYSELF I THINK THE MADE 4 MODELS CUDDY LONG DECK SHORT DECK 233LS AND CENTER CONSOLE CANT BEAT THE RIDE

Bigbroadjumper
09-14-2003, 10:57 PM
Allan Brown would have some info on that boat. I think he raced a 23' Formula named Challenger. And the name Cigarette was taken from an old "Rum Runner boat from the '20s.

Team Hula Girl
09-15-2003, 09:38 AM
The current owner was just telling me that the boat had the "cigarette" sticker/painted letters on the transom. Apparently the letters were small compared to todays standards. Maybe this was just the first time he used the word cigarette on a boat? Did they really put 4/6 cylinders in these boats back then? I don't know that much about the history of Aronow/Wynne from back then and I would imagine a lot of this era was undocumented. I am sure that the majority of the stories that you hear have been passed along and told differently. I would love to hear Brownies take or anyone that was around during this time. :confused:

Which Formula model was the first one built?
Who raced these boats during this time? Who were the other builders other than Bertram that were involved in racing? Was it just a hobby for most and they were building boats just for the races? How many Formulas were made prior to Donzi?

John

Always eager to learn more about boating history and folklore.

HyperDonzi
09-15-2003, 05:32 PM
greg maier-would your brother be looking to sell by any chance?

Greg Maier
09-15-2003, 05:43 PM
Hyper,

I will ask him. I'll get back to you.

Greg Maier
09-16-2003, 12:18 PM
Hyper,

You have mail

HyperDonzi
09-16-2003, 05:54 PM
Where at? My hotmail acct? not there?

Greg Maier
09-16-2003, 06:06 PM
Hyper,

I sent it to

mailto:HyperBaja17@hotmail.com yesterday. I just sent another email to the same account. Let me know if you get it.

HyperDonzi
09-16-2003, 06:08 PM
Dont have it. Try this one: HyperBaja17@att.net

Thanks,
Tommy

Greg Maier
09-16-2003, 06:15 PM
I sent another email to HyperBaja17@att.net

steplift58
08-24-2007, 06:48 PM
the blackfin 25 was based off of this hull. karanda marine built it as a 24

HallJ
08-31-2007, 06:56 PM
Read up,

Maybe you guys have already seen this?

http://www.historicraceboats.com/articles/Extreme-2007-08.pdf

And here

http://www.historicraceboats.com/pdf-mo-pokerruns-v9n5.pdf


Jeff

vonkamp
09-01-2007, 07:40 AM
Read up,
Maybe you guys have already seen this?
http://www.historicraceboats.com/articles/Extreme-2007-08.pdf
And here
http://www.historicraceboats.com/pdf-mo-pokerruns-v9n5.pdf
Jeff


So, is this the finished restoration from the hull pictured here?

empirical
09-02-2007, 02:29 PM
I appreciate the interest in our boat. My name is Bob Jr. and yes, that is our boat pictured at the beginning of this thread. Interestingly enough, that picture was taken at my cousin's boat shop in Tampa several years ago. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to restore George Peroni's old race boat named Empirical, formally, Don Aronow's The Cigarette. This long four year restoration could not have taken place without the help of Innovation Marine (restoration of the factory 409 kiekhaefer engine), Michael Aronow (his personal pictures of The Cigarette), George Peroni and his family, and many others. The intent of the restoration was to restore the boat back to original as possible and maintain a reliable boat. That we believe we have accomplished. Would we do it again? Maybe after a bottle of Cabo Wabo!!

Bob Jr.

vonkamp
09-03-2007, 08:36 AM
Welcome to the boards here empirical.
Sure is a beautiful boat you have there. A truly priceless piece of Aronow history. Would it be possible to post some nice hi res pictures here, I would love to have a good puter background pic of it.
Cheers,
Barry

cutwater
09-03-2007, 09:56 AM
Bob -

Welcome to the board. Your boat is beautiful, and I'm sure there are several of us who would love to see some more pictures!

John

empirical
09-04-2007, 06:52 AM
Hey Guys,

Thanks for the compliments. I am attaching some pictures of the boat. The first one was shot at Tierra Verde Marina in St. Pete. last November. The second is a picture of the engine. The last one is a picture of George Peroni and his sons taking the boat into Government Cut in Miami. That was the first time George had been at the helm of his old race boat in 30+ years. At 81 years old, he is still as solid as a rock, a very special day. Definitely an old school guy and old school boat.

Thanks again for your interest.

Bob Jr

Mercrewser
09-04-2007, 05:27 PM
I love this boat. The original looking engine is a great touch, I love the old school merCruiser valve covers!

vonkamp
09-04-2007, 06:17 PM
Awesome!! Thanks for the pics & my new computer background. :yes:
Do you take it out much? Most of my family lives in the Sarasota Anna Maria area and I keep my flats boat over there. I hope I will see you on the water some time.
Cheers,
Barry

empirical
09-05-2007, 07:20 AM
Barry,

Glad you like the pics. My brother and I try to take the boat out every other weekend. We like to run out to Egmont Key, shell island, or Clearwater. The next time you are in the area, let me know. Maybe we can get out on the water.

Bob

JimG
09-19-2007, 06:35 AM
Wow! I love that boat. It's the one that started it all. Great job guys!

I formerly owned a Blackfin 24 (Karanda/Cary). Best hull I've ever driven, bar none! Direct splash.

JimG

Morgan's Cloud
09-19-2007, 07:12 AM
At the '93 Miami Boat show I overheard an unknown (but seemingly knowledgeable) guy claim that the F233 hull was the best riding hull that Don had ever made . Considering that it was'nt his biggest and was basically the first I thought it very interesting.
Would'nt mind having a 233 centre console myself !

Tank
09-20-2007, 12:36 PM
Hi all
I always felt mine was under powered with a 188 hp merc!!:yes:
Now I know Y !!!:wink:
I must say I do miss that boat road like it was on rails.
And no fear of rough water had it on lake Wallanpapack in PA
One stormy day we never got wet I think it was a two foot chop.
No rain just wennndddyyyy.
It also needed a bigger trailer!
PS NICE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek!:

Craig S
09-21-2007, 12:35 PM
I happen to run into this boat the other day and was talking to the owner. He told me some of the history of the boat. It was very interesting to hear. Rumor has it that this is the oldest 233 still in existence. If anyone is interested I will tell more of his story. here are a few pictures of the hull during restoration.


John

Nice...I'll be glad when my project is at that stage!

daniel1576
03-07-2013, 10:47 PM
according to the owner, this boats name was "cigarette". The name was placed above the motor on the transom. This is where Don got the name "cigarette" This was the boat that won the miami to key west race in the early sixties. (1963??) I think he said the number on the side of the boat was "16" ? (can be seen in THUNDERBOAT ROW). I don't have a copy for reference.

Apparently hull one and two were destroyed from use. This hull being the third one that was built would be the oldest Aronow formula?

The owner had the motor block also, a 4 or 6 cylinder that was a monster.

Interested in hearing others input and maybe some input from anyone that was around during that time. How would you indentify the hull with no hull id #'s present? anybody remember any distinctive markings?

This boat is going through a complete restore and should be ready early next year. He said the boat was going to be as original as possible.

John

I can probably take some more pics if needed.
hi i believe i have jim wynnes boat the first 233s or cc