Fino boat history?

[lars]

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...34&slim=quick&

With the rain turning our ocean running speedboats here on the California Coast into freshwater boats it's an even playfield to trade up or down at the moment. I've been trying to gather info on these Fino boats that show up occationally for sale and they seem to be well built crafts. I posted a link to one here and was hoping for some history and feedback from You Fellow forum readers on these crafts.
Thanks in advance and a "Viking Skål" to "Another Glorious Year In Memory Of Don Aronow", may his legacy and boats not be forgotten!

[olredalert]

Lars,

--------I believe that this Fino came out of Minnesota one or two owners ago. It is the only one I have seen with 440s. If the 440s have six-pack carburetor set-ups it is definetly the same boat. Never saw the boat in person, but it appeared nice. These boats have a tremendous amount of equipment on them and as a rule the first owners were rich and spoiled and didnt take care of them. It depends how far down hill they have gotten weather they are good boats or not by this time. I looked at one in Ft.Lauderdale a year ago and all the wood was badly compromised. Belonged to a well known Captain and had been band-aided together enough to try and fool some one. My appraiser spotted dead termites and soft wood in the stringers right away. If you think of a restoration on a similarly compromised DONZI 18 difficult, you cant even imagine doing one of these boats over. Just buy a new one. I think they are better built today anyway.
-------Hope this helps............Bill S

[lars]

I new I could rely on You guys for some good advice. Bill I guess the same Fino You had checked out is still for sale on boattrader for $30K. I eagerly await some more history about these boats and on top of it I got a call from a long lost buddie that saw my post, isn't that what this forum is all about! Thanks again.

[olredalert]

-------One of the Florida guys will correct me if Im wrong but I think the Finos were the brainchild of Bobby Rautbord. He had a sister named "Sugar". Didnt his dad (Apeco) buy Magnum from Don A? I think thats where the Finos were all built back in the day. Bobby wanted an American "Riva" that could be used in big water if necessary, and went all out to get it.
-------Maybe if Brownie is back in town and spots this he can tell us how far off I am.............Bill S


--------Oh yah, all but two of the Finos were propshaft driven. The other two had outdrives!

[lakesidevu]

I've ownwd a Fino for 11 years and I'm in the middle of restoring it.I have various article regarding the boatYes ,Bobby Rautbord aand a guy name Stratton was involved ,along with the designer Jim Wynne.

I have the original book on how to build a FINO that came with the boat.

The equipment in my bought was purchased by Magnum,these being the Walther v- drives.

There's nothing like this boat when you come into port,forget the fountains,skaters and the like.
This is strictly comfort and style and yes this boat was dubbed as the "America's answer to the Riva" and it started out at $35500 in 1970

-------One of the Florida guys will correct me if Im wrong but I think the Finos were the brainchild of Bobby Rautbord. He had a sister named "Sugar". Didnt his dad (Apeco) buy Magnum from Don A? I think thats where the Finos were all built back in the day. Bobby wanted an American "Riva" that could be used in big water if necessary, and went all out to get it.
-------Maybe if Brownie is back in town and spots this he can tell us how far off I am.............Bill S


--------Oh yah, all but two of the Finos were propshaft driven. The other two had outdrives!

[tom rockstroh]

I had a 1973 Fino which was in the NYC boat show in early 73' .T-427 ,325 hp mercs ,Ac ,Gen , Twin v-drive ,(Walter). 50 mph tops.I was told a total of 30 boats were built between mid 1970 and 1973 and that mine was one of the last.Workmanship was perfect for the times and the boat was built like a tank .Finos were only available in white (mine) Red or powder blue . These boats were super expensive, Mine was $29,650.00 in 73' ! I did see one with twin stern drives,staggered 454s,with TRS drives,This one had a different transom (FLAT) setup,but it took away from the classic looks of the boat. Parts for the boat were all custom made and I was always afraid the windsheild would get broken or cracked. You were right about the boats origins and that they were produced at the magnum plant,with offices and some assembly in Dania . I still see the boat here on the Chesapeke,I owned the boat 1980 -84. Currently I own a 1975 35' Cigarette Awesome and a 1972 Bertram 28,I guess I'M stuck in the 70's

[lakesidevu]

Tom,did you sell your boat to Lenny ,the tile and marble guy who lives around Severna Park area?

I had a 1973 Fino which was in the NYC boat show in early 73' .T-427 ,325 hp mercs ,Ac ,Gen , Twin v-drive ,(Walter). 50 mph tops.I was told a total of 30 boats were built between mid 1970 and 1973 and that mine was one of the last.Workmanship was perfect for the times and the boat was built like a tank .Finos were only available in white (mine) Red or powder blue . These boats were super expensive, Mine was $29,650.00 in 73' ! I did see one with twin stern drives,staggered 454s,with TRS drives,This one had a different transom (FLAT) setup,but it took away from the classic looks of the boat. Parts for the boat were all custom made and I was always afraid the windsheild would get broken or cracked. You were right about the boats origins and that they were produced at the magnum plant,with offices and some assembly in Dania . I still see the boat here on the Chesapeke,I owned the boat 1980 -84. Currently I own a 1975 35' Cigarette Awesome and a 1972 Bertram 28,I guess I'M stuck in the 70's