42 ft Cigarette Johnson 3.6GT speed boat

[LHM23]

Hi all, the opportunity has arisen for me to
purchase the above speed boat built in the 80s. It’s been sat in storage for over 20 years and the owner wants it gone, but it won’t be very much due to to the condition and the work required to fix her up.

The hull looks ok, just needs a good clean, the engines are intact, but may or not work and the interior needs ripping out completely. This project will need someone with deep pockets, but is it worth the time and money? I am in awe of the vessel and would love to restore it, but don’t know what the costs are for each area. Can anyone who owns a cigarette, all has restored one please let me know?

Transporting the boat shouldn’t be an issue as I have access to a hiab and a place to store it while the work is done. It would be such a rewarding project, but am I in over my head? Thanks.

 

[Mr Googler]

Tricky

looks like outboards are an after thought So transom filled at some point. Those engines are very old…..even if running…..old tech.

the hull and interior should be doable for sub 5k if you don’t find anything And do the work yourself
money suckers are fuel tanks, engines and gadgets in that boat I would say.

whats it worth done? There a was an old 38ft fountain centre console with 2 x 2021 350hp Yamahas asking 65k…..been for sale for 2 years at least. All the value was in the engines. One dimensional boat that would sell with new engines but then you’d lose money! Would still sell restored to the right person but very hard to price I’m afraid

going to diesel inboards would be a game changer but again….you’ll lose money

 

[simonfraser]

diesel, nah, fit the latest, go fully electric

 

[Rappey]

I had a newer yamaha 200hp 2t and that could drink 25 litres in 5 minutes. Those things must be 70 litres per 5 mins as they are mid 80,s technology, £1200 per hr ?
Can you still get parts for the engines?
Powering the boat could set you back 30k for a pair of used 4 strokes if the johnsons have had it.
Some of us enjoy rebuilding a boat. The limiting factor could be finance.

 

[Bouba]

First thing I would want to try is if the motors turn over...and even start. They are two strokes so might surprise you and start. Johnson had a well documented history of problems and faults...but should be like banshees when they go. The interior is a huge job...but doable even for a weekend warrior. You say the fiberglass is good...that’s 90% of the boat sorted !
As for the boat itself....if they make the film Maidstone Vice you will be right in

 

[Bouba]

PS....Welcome to the forum LHM23.

 

[BB1]

Hi all, the opportunity has arisen for me to
purchase the above speed boat built in the 80s. It’s been sat in storage for over 20 years and the owner wants it gone, but it won’t be very much due to to the condition and the work required to fix her up.

The hull looks ok, just needs a good clean, the engines are intact, but may or not work and the interior needs ripping out completely. This project will need someone with deep pockets, but is it worth the time and money? I am in awe of the vessel and would love to restore it, but don’t know what the costs are for each area. Can anyone who owns a cigarette, all has restored one please let me know?

Transporting the boat shouldn’t be an issue as I have access to a hiab and a place to store it while the work is done. It would be such a rewarding project, but am I in over my head? Thanks.

As long as you accept that it will always be worth less than you spend on it then thats fine! Crack on, lovely boat.

 

[stelican]

Dear I say fridge door intact

 

[Dino]

It’s worth getting a moisture meter onto the hull and transom. If there’s any balsa or wood core it may well be wet. If so, it’s not viable to repair.
I would personally run a mile from anything over 25ft with outboards.

 

[Seastoke]

When you said it had been in storage ,I was thinking inside and would be good . Leaving it outside not covered up is not in storage ,it’s been abandoned by the owner who did not care about the boat .

 

[stelican]

Most valuable parts are the Gill brackets
Best leave it where it is.

 

[julians]

it does look a wreck - I'm sure its fixable, but I reckon the owner should be paying you to take it away

 

[ChromeDome]

I guess there's a reason for it sitting there for so long. Compared to other of same size 2 x 300 hp is underpowered, so new engines should be bigger. The manufacturer suggests up to 5 x 450 hp on the recent version (70 knot potential which you may not need, though).
Do an honest business case, factoring all in and think about where the money will come from. It's gonna need a berth... a big one. Insurance. Fuel. Ongoing maintenance, and upgrades. Plus all the unforeseen. Selling value of the two 1985 V8 2-stroke Johnsons will be low - if any.

Imagine having done it up - end-to end, taking all your free time for years.
A big pile of money into it, then wanting to take it out.

How many days in a season would you go out in an open boat that only shines well above the planing threshold, drinking hundreds of liters per hour?
If you (or SWMBO tells you to) regret it, what is it truly worth as an unfinished or even finished project?


The wise thing would be to keep dreaming and leave it at that.

 

[ontheplane]

If it's free it might be too dear.....

 

[[165042]]

Don't do it - you'll regret it almost instantly. There are plenty of these type of boats ready to go available for peanuts in the US and even with shipping and import duties can be had for around £60k.