Decision made, Active Thunder/Cigarette
04-06-2002, 05:19 PM
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Decision made, Active Thunder/Cigarette
Several weeks ago, I started a thread asking for thoughts about the two boats I was considering purchasing: 38’ Cigarette, and 37’ Active Thunder. I received a lot of helpful input, and many of you wanted me to keep you abreast of the decision I had made.
During the last few weeks, I have been on many demo rides. The first of which was on 37’ Active Thunder. This was an outstanding ride, complete with 4’-6’ seas. My next ride was on a Cigarette 38’ Top Gun twin step, followed by a Cigarette 36’ Gladiator. To my surprise, I felt the Active Thunders had a better ride, and handling.
I thought, “MY GOD MAN, HOW COULD THIS BE?!” After all, this was the legendary Cigarette. I have owned both Cigarette, and classic Donzis. I was so surprised by this that I began to doubt my previous conclusion about the Active Thunder, and requested another ride from Active Thunder.
I have been boating nearly my whole life. I have delivered sail and motor boats up and down the East Coast for many years. I hold a Coast Guards Masters license. I am not an expert, but I do feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of what type of ride I can expect from various sea conditions. I have no doubt that the Active Thunder will prove outstanding in any seas I care to venture into with a vessel of this size.
Many of you have commented that the rigging, fit and finish not being as quality as Cigarette; however, I have found just the opposite. The older models, in my opinion, were rigged with average equipment at best. A lot of plastic hardware was used, as well as a very basic cabin and cockpit design. The new models (2002) are quite different. The hardware has been upgraded, as well as the cabin and cockpit design. The rigging is top of the line. One of my original requirements was to have a cabin with amenities. Some comments were made that I either wanted an off shore boat, or I didn’t, and that perhaps a Sea Ray would be better. Cigarette appears to be the only company NOT offering such amenities. Outerlimits, Fountain, Powerplay, etc… all offer boats with cabin amenities. This is in no way a dig against Cigarette; they just don’t seem to cater to my needs, as well as others who have the same desires.
Some of you have mentioned that you had purchased an Active Thunder because it was the best boat for the value. Value was not an issue for me. I gladly would have purchased a Cigarette had it filled all my requirements; however, it did not. Those being a 37’-38’ step hull with 500EFI, that would run in the mid to high 80’s, have a great ride, have a cabin with all the amenities, top of the line rigging, and an outstanding fit and finish. Active Thunder met all my requirements.
Thank you all for your input. It was very much appreciated, and critical in my decision. The fact that Pat and Steve paid for breast implants for my girlfriend had absolutely nothing to do with my decision, but that’s another thread.
I look forward to seeing all of you out there. I’ll be the one with the redhead with double D’s.
During the last few weeks, I have been on many demo rides. The first of which was on 37’ Active Thunder. This was an outstanding ride, complete with 4’-6’ seas. My next ride was on a Cigarette 38’ Top Gun twin step, followed by a Cigarette 36’ Gladiator. To my surprise, I felt the Active Thunders had a better ride, and handling.
I thought, “MY GOD MAN, HOW COULD THIS BE?!” After all, this was the legendary Cigarette. I have owned both Cigarette, and classic Donzis. I was so surprised by this that I began to doubt my previous conclusion about the Active Thunder, and requested another ride from Active Thunder.
I have been boating nearly my whole life. I have delivered sail and motor boats up and down the East Coast for many years. I hold a Coast Guards Masters license. I am not an expert, but I do feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of what type of ride I can expect from various sea conditions. I have no doubt that the Active Thunder will prove outstanding in any seas I care to venture into with a vessel of this size.
Many of you have commented that the rigging, fit and finish not being as quality as Cigarette; however, I have found just the opposite. The older models, in my opinion, were rigged with average equipment at best. A lot of plastic hardware was used, as well as a very basic cabin and cockpit design. The new models (2002) are quite different. The hardware has been upgraded, as well as the cabin and cockpit design. The rigging is top of the line. One of my original requirements was to have a cabin with amenities. Some comments were made that I either wanted an off shore boat, or I didn’t, and that perhaps a Sea Ray would be better. Cigarette appears to be the only company NOT offering such amenities. Outerlimits, Fountain, Powerplay, etc… all offer boats with cabin amenities. This is in no way a dig against Cigarette; they just don’t seem to cater to my needs, as well as others who have the same desires.
Some of you have mentioned that you had purchased an Active Thunder because it was the best boat for the value. Value was not an issue for me. I gladly would have purchased a Cigarette had it filled all my requirements; however, it did not. Those being a 37’-38’ step hull with 500EFI, that would run in the mid to high 80’s, have a great ride, have a cabin with all the amenities, top of the line rigging, and an outstanding fit and finish. Active Thunder met all my requirements.
Thank you all for your input. It was very much appreciated, and critical in my decision. The fact that Pat and Steve paid for breast implants for my girlfriend had absolutely nothing to do with my decision, but that’s another thread.
I look forward to seeing all of you out there. I’ll be the one with the redhead with double D’s.
04-06-2002, 05:23 PM
#2
Charter Member
Charter Member
And the name of the new boat will be????
04-06-2002, 06:45 PM
#4
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: medford, nj usa
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on your decesion. I went through the exact same process, with the exact same boats and casme up with the exact same result. Great boat, and welcome to the Active Thunder family. Have you thought of a name yet? When is your boat going to be done. I hope you can make it on the Thunder run in October if not I am sure we can make room for your girlfriend and I guess you
on the Thunderstorm if it is not ready. Again, wise choice and look forward to seeing some pictures of your graphics as well as meeting you.
on the Thunderstorm if it is not ready. Again, wise choice and look forward to seeing some pictures of your graphics as well as meeting you.
04-06-2002, 07:37 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
ThunderDan, I read where you said you stopped at AT this past week to take a look at your boat. I know you made some last minute changes but is the boat further along than the pictures on AT's website show? I will be visiting AT on 4/23 and really want to see a boat with the new interior complete.
04-06-2002, 08:07 PM
#6
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: medford, nj usa
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
rough,
It was jassman that was at the factory this past week. And yes, my boat is much further along than the pictures. If you are at the factory on the 23 I am pretty sure my boat will be done. I will also be there that evening to check her out, hopefully demo and play, so you will be able to see the cabin in it's complete stage. That is if it is still there and not on its way to New Jersey. I do have one rule though, just ask Troutly, NO ****IN SHOES IN MY BOAT. 
It was jassman that was at the factory this past week. And yes, my boat is much further along than the pictures. If you are at the factory on the 23 I am pretty sure my boat will be done. I will also be there that evening to check her out, hopefully demo and play, so you will be able to see the cabin in it's complete stage. That is if it is still there and not on its way to New Jersey. I do have one rule though, just ask Troutly, NO ****IN SHOES IN MY BOAT.
Last edited by thunderdan; 04-06-2002 at 08:10 PM.
04-06-2002, 09:11 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
So I got you and Jassman mixed up! I got it NO SHOES ON THE BOAT! I won't break the Head in for you either. Anyway, I have been planning on going down on 4/23 for about a month now and was hoping to hit it right to see your boat complete. Steve has already got my deposit but just wanted to see the new interior in person! I also have to talk to Steve and Pat about how were going to fit the 900sc motors in under the hatch.
04-06-2002, 09:18 PM
#8
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: medford, nj usa
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sweet, have you started to work on the graphics yet. When is your boat going to be done. The shoes thing was more of a bust on troutly, but then again I am awful anal about my boat. What motors are you putting in the boat? Man, there are gonna be a boat load of 37 runnin around, cool
Man, there are gonna be a boat load of 37 runnin around, cool
04-06-2002, 09:35 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
I was just ****'n about the 900sc motors! I know you and Jassman are putting some big power in your boats so I was just seeing if I would get your attention. Graphics, just tossed a few things around with Steve. When will it be done? Not sure yet we are in no hurry since were having a baby in July so that pretty much takes care of boating this summer! I just want it to be done for next year. Motors? 496 HO's I like the durability and the dependability I think this package will provide. Not to say others don't. But when I started looing for boat I wanted something in the 38' range that did 75-80MPH. I was shocked to find out I could hit that speed with 496 HO's in a 37 AVH. I like speed but I will also have two kids aboard. Steve has us posted in the AT web-sit, our boat name is FAST FORWARD!
04-06-2002, 09:49 PM
#10
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: medford, nj usa
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Roughstuff,
Cool, those 496ho in that 37 surprised the hell out of me as well. I love the reliability and the way they pushed the boat I was amazed. I hear ya about the kids, I have two as well, 7 and 5. My little one always says faster, daddy faster. I doubt they will ever see much over 80 mph when they are aboard. I am real careful when I have that kind of precious cargo on board. Congrats on your new boating Pal. That cabin will surely make it nice for you and your family. What drives are you getting. If you ever want more power you can always whipple em down the road. I will check out the graphics.
Cool, those 496ho in that 37 surprised the hell out of me as well. I love the reliability and the way they pushed the boat I was amazed. I hear ya about the kids, I have two as well, 7 and 5. My little one always says faster, daddy faster. I doubt they will ever see much over 80 mph when they are aboard. I am real careful when I have that kind of precious cargo on board. Congrats on your new boating Pal. That cabin will surely make it nice for you and your family. What drives are you getting. If you ever want more power you can always whipple em down the road. I will check out the graphics.
