Cigarrette 36

[Matt]

I recall when it was being painted black - it was a lovely finish, like a mirror.
IIRC it has TRS drives.

[stats007]

It looks lovely from 6 feet away, but upon closer inspection it's not great. There are what appears to be early signs of osmosis - a survey would be needed to confirm whether it's even a viable project.

The deck needs stripping and repainting, the cockpit and cabin needs a complete overhaul, as do the electrics.

Then there's the engines and drives which haven't been run in three years (the steering has seized). Without stripping for inspection how do you know the state of them? I wouldn't want to start them after this time without at least inspecting the bores and a basic service at any rate.

That said it has huge potential. If the price is right and I can re-assure myself that the engines, drives and tabs are worth keeping then the rest I'd be happy to commit to. Does anyone have any opinions, speculative or otherwise on who would be best to rebuild these if need be and an idea of cost? Some photos:

[stats007]

[littlenige]

Am I right in thinking that this was The Dealer a few years back?

[stats007]

It is - which is why I resurrected this thread.

[Matt]

FWIW, I wouldn't go stripping the engines "just to check". More damage is often done checking, and unless you plan on committing to a rebore and rebuild, I'd leave them as they are.

They actually look tidier than I'd expected, although the rigging looks like it needs updating. There will no doubt be numerous electrical problems due to it laying up so long.

What I'd probably do is put an oil pump drive on the motors to build some pressure and circulate oil round, pull the plugs and pop a squirt of oil down each bore and then crank them, just a little, by hand, using a 18" or so breaker bar on the crank. (You'll need a breaker bar, a normal size ratchet socket won't have enough leverage), and then as long as they're not seized, fire them up. I wouldn't, initially at least, bother compression testing them until they've run a bit to let the valve seats settle back down.

I'd also leave the TRS drives well alone other than an oil change as long as they're not leaking, and I'd use them till they die, at which point I'd either change to bravos, or konrads (which I believe don't require transom modification)

It's inevitable that the bores will have some scoring - more or less all wet exhaust marine engines suffer from this and it's easy to get hung up on it, but even a well babied 1 year old motor will possibly have some signs of moisture in the bores.

The question really is do you want to pay the fuel bills. In September 2006 I put £1000 quid in to my formula 292 in a day, which was substantially smaller than this. Fortunately I wasn't paying that day, someone else was. Fuel is a lot more now, too.

[Jon Fuller]

Originally Posted by Matt

In September 2006 I put £1000 quid in to my formula 292 in a day

[Matt]

Yup. But it was a wicked day, managed to scare the crap outta the assistant producer going round the needles.

[stats007]

I get 11mpg out of my car so am used to high fuel bills! That said I wouldn't even be considering this sort of boat if I were concerned about it. I've always wanted one and I like a challenge!

I was thinking more of a top-end rebuild as opposed to anything else. It might make sense to sell the engine and drives and repower but that's another route entirely. There's a Cig in Poole with twin diesels but that doesn't seem right, however much sense it may make!

[ELK]

found this...maybe of interest....

http://www.blocket.se/stockholm/Ciga....htm?ca=11&w=1


This model is equipped with two Mercruiser 454 on 425hk pc and Bravo drives.

Only 190 hours on the engines

Equipped with trim tabs (Kiekhaefer), compass, Gaffrig instruments, hydraulic engine hatch, automatic bilge pump, automatic fire suppression system to the engine room, toilet, sink with pressurized water, refrigerator, CD stereo, fresh water flush to the motors, newer full cover and dual batteries.

The boat is eruropasåld, stored indoors on land between each run and has never been bottom painted. Good alternative to craft scarab, Checkmate and Fountain.

More pictures and information on www.seacastle.se, under the tab for sale.

Must be seen!

Year: 1988
Brand: Cigarette
Model: Bullet 31
Width: 2.55 meters
Material: Plastic
Engine: Mercruiser 454
Fuel: Petrol
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine size: 425 hp
Number of engines: 2
Berths: 4

[stats007]

Thanks - not sure I'd buy a boat unseen though - it's also £43k.

[ELK]

wouldn't suggest that, you can get to Stockholm for £150 to look!!

Also thinking that by the time you've bought the other one and got her up to scratch you'll probably have passed that figure!

Anyways, just a letting you know it's there!

[JASON]

That was my pride and joy back when I was 29.
Blasting around in the North Sea in some real heavy swells she never let me down.
Great boat went like stink for her age, 1978 Cigarette flat deck.

She s looking a bit rough now, I fully rebuilt that boat back in 1997.

Originally the boat was red and bought from swan marine.
I pulled the motors which were 454 mags ported the heads, roller rockers crower cam and springs Acell coils Gill headers.
The carbs let that boat down it was fitted with Predator's and they flowed way to many cfms for those motors.
Metering blocks were plastic and seized regularly, they really need changing to Holley’s if there still on.
The boat was traded in to a guy down south for a fifty footer.
The original drives were kicked SSM2s, John boat the boat and fitted the TRS drives.
I haven’t heard from him in around 7 years I presume its still his?

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by JASON

Originally the boat was red and bought from swan marine.

Swan Marine, where Aldi now is in Ferndown, I remember the boat being on sale.
Mr Swan was an ex bank manager, who was going to show the marine trade how it's done, wonder what he's doing now?

[stats007]

Originally Posted by JASON

That was my pride and joy back when I was 29.
Blasting around in the North Sea in some real heavy swells she never let me down.
Great boat went like stink for her age, 1978 Cigarette flat deck.

She s looking a bit rough now, I fully rebuilt that boat back in 1997.

Originally the boat was red and bought from swan marine.
I pulled the motors which were 454 mags ported the heads, roller rockers crower cam and springs Acell coils Gill headers.
The carbs let that boat down it was fitted with Predator's and they flowed way to many cfms for those motors.
Metering blocks were plastic and seized regularly, they really need changing to Holley’s if there still on.
The boat was traded in to a guy down south for a fifty footer.
The original drives were kicked SSM2s, John boat the boat and fitted the TRS drives.
I haven’t heard from him in around 7 years I presume its still his?

It is - from what I gather he's not been well so is selling. He told me it had 980cfm carbs on and these were swapped for 750cfm but didn't get the opportunity to check.

Would the TRS drives have been new in, say 2000? Any idea of engine hours?

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by stats007

Would the TRS drives have been new in, say 2000?

last TRS's were around 88

[TURBINATOR]

It seems my other account (Jason) has been restricted, not sure why?

Anyway hours I wouldn't know but when I owned the boat it wasn't many, I wouldn't have thought John would have put many on her.

I think the boat had a used set of TRSs fitted at the time.
If the carbs have been replaced with 750double pumpers they should suit those engines perfect, I noticed it now has dual plane manifolds which again will increase intake velocity over the original setup which were single plane.

[stats007]

I'm assuming the engines are Gen IV / V and not original to the boat. I don't suppose it matters really so long as they sing!

[Arrow830]

I have A friend that selling his Cigarette 31 Bullet. 46000eur.
With trailer, new heater. Rebuilt engines. etc.
2x454/500hp.
He can arrange transport to Gothenburg or any other port.


If any intrest shoot me a PM


/Mange

[Matt]

And I can confirm the Gothenburg<=>Tilbury ferry route with DFDS works really well - used it twice now.