apache powerboats wiki

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Main Forums
• General Boating Discussions

Apache History

• Add to quote

Hey guys, I do not want to start a war of words here, but I was wondering if somebody would share a little of the history of these God Forsaken Apache molds everybody is squawking about. I know the Apache boats themselves pretty well, but I am clueless as to the history of the company, the various owners, and where it all stands today. Looking for a little Apache 101, without the BS opinions. Thanks.  

How much time ya got !!!!!!!! :winker: ??????  

Start here: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1135936 Hence, the animosity.  

I think you said the Apache word - uh, oh. Let me grab the popcorn - these discussions always take some bad turns. Exciting for those who are just watching. :bigsmile: <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm006YYUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/5/5_8_5.gif' alt='Sharing Popcorn' border=0></a>  

And: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-18900.html  

Well lets start with the fact that Don Aronow had his hand in them and here´s a link to good thread. Apache is Back  

obnoxus said: How much time ya got !!!!!!!! :winker: ?????? Click to expand...

Somebody delete my thread.............I knew this wouldn't be easy! Thanks for the links so far. By the way, did Don Aronow help with the first Formula hulls?  

Oh boy, I just visited the sites you guys linked up here! What a cluster fudge. Once again, forget I asked.  

Don Aronow started Formula. I believe it was his first company. Ben Kramer started Apache Powerboats with Bobby Saccenti from the 41 mold given to Ben by Don A. Bobby owned and operated Apache "Performance Boats" that made the 22' 28' and 36'. The 36' molds were sold to Concept. When Ben went to prison for drug running, Mark McManus was appointed by the U.S gov. to run the company. McManus worked for Don A. at Cig and worked for Ben at Apache. Today McManus owns and runs Apache.  

I think Wynne did the Formula 23 for Don too.  

Jim Wynne was probably the main guy behind the first Formula and Donzi designs, but Don Aronow got the credit. Yes, Ben Kramer started Apache Performance Boats, but not with molds Don Aronow gave him. Aronow never GAVE anyone anything. I understood that the molds were modified Cigarette molds that Aronow held onto after he sold Cigarette. Since Aronow signed a non-compete clause with Cigarette, forbidding him from designing or selling V- hull boats for 5 years after the sale, he secretly was helping Kramer build Apaches with the molds. I`m sure he screwed Kramer on those molds somehow. And on February 5, 1987 Aronow was gunned down on Thunderboat Row by Robert Young, who was hired by none other than Ben Kramer. .............Pull up a chair and put on another pot of coffee, this is just starting to get good.  

This is exactly what I was hoping for! Good stuff. Question: Did Aronow have it coming, in a Tony Soprano kinda way? Not that murdering someone is ok, but you get my drift.....  

pasquesi said: This is exactly what I was hoping for! Good stuff. Question: Did Aronow have it coming, in a Tony Soprano kinda way? Not that murdering someone is ok, but you get my drift..... Click to expand...

mirage257 said: As much as I like Don Aronow's boats , nobody gives credit to Jim Wynne . Jim Wynne made successful hulls that ment to run real offshore . Don Aronow asked Jim in 1962 or 63 to make him a hull for offshore race , hence a 64 28' Donzi , Rest is history :winker: . Click to expand...

Ok back to Apache! Ben and Don were said to be good friends. either way Don helped Apache by providing a hull, whatever their arrangement was.  

Attachments

Reminds me of the Doloreon deal. Except he got jail instead of a bullet. heh  

corrado1 said: Ok back to Apache! Ben and Don were said to be good friends. either way Don helped Apache by providing a hull, whatever their arrangement was. Click to expand...

Just recently, I became very interested in the life and times of Don Aronow. I read "Speed Kills". Seems to be pretty accurate about the events surrounding his murder and this book does devote a chapter to Aronow`s life and his history in boat racing. Most of the book is about his murder investigation. "Blue Thunder" is a similar book, but it`s author had his own theory about Aronow`s murder and the authorities have proven it wrong. "Don Aronow -- King of Thunder Boat Row" is a book mostly about Aronow himself, but it was penned by Michael Aronow (his son) so I`m sure all events were seen through rose-colored glasses. How did we get so far off the Apache subject?  

There are only a couple of people that truely know the inner workings of the beginning of Apache...and they aint talking. So don't believe everything you read. It's entertaining for sure but mostly opinions and hear say. Enjoy.  

DonMan said: Just recently, I became very interested in the life and times of Don Aronow. I read "Speed Kills". Seems to be pretty accurate about the events surrounding his murder and this book does devote a chapter to Aronow`s life and his history in boat racing. Most of the book is about his murder investigation. "Blue Thunder" is a similar book, but it`s author had his own theory about Aronow`s murder and the authorities have proven it wrong. "Don Aronow -- King of Thunder Boat Row" is a book mostly about Aronow himself, but it was penned by Michael Aronow (his son) so I`m sure all events were seen through rose-colored glasses. How did we get so far off the Apache subject? Click to expand...

DonMan said: I`m sure there may be a few of those guys who masturbate to photos of old Apache race boats. Click to expand...

• ?            
• 920.6K posts
• 19.2K members

Top Contributors this Month

• Classic Driver
• Forgot password
• Newsletters
• Language English Deutsch
• Currency Select AUD CHF CNY DKK EUR GBP HKD INR JPY NZD SEK SGD USD
• Collectibles
• Real Estate
• CD Works Agency
• For sale CD Shop Magazine Auctions Sell

This Warpath is the most famous and historic boat in Offshore Racing history, and it’s available now!

This sponsored article has been produced and published as part of a paid partnership with Ferco Motors . Classic Driver is not responsible for the content and information given above.

More articles related to Powerboats

More articles related to yachts, more articles related to 1980s.

EMAIL TO PAY IN CRYPTO – GET 10% OFF EVERYTHING

Item added to your cart

SUBSCRIBE TO VÉHICULE NEWS

VÉHICULE Presents: Ben Kramer's Apache 47' Powerboat vs. Haulover Inlet

VÉHICULE presents Ben Kramer 's Apache 47' race powerboat, freshly restored to its original state. After over a year of tireless work between 2019 and 2020, the good-as-new masterpiece finally had its first startup in 2020 and is ripping Floridian waters once again.

Apache powerboats were built on Miami's legendary NE 188th Street . Dubbed as "Thunderboat Row," this strip of land was first developed by Don Aronow as early as the 1960s and grew to be the world's capital of powerboat manufacturing.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by VÉHICULE (@vehiculemagazine)

In the summer of 2020, VÉHICULE had the exclusive chance to speak with powerboat legend and race car driver Lorne L.—current owner of this historic Apache. Check out the story of his boat's provenance and how this restoration project came to be   here .

Read more about Ben Kramer in VÉHICULE .

VÉHICULE'S CONTENTS ARE THE PRODUCTS OF INTENSIVE, DIRECT SCRUTINY MAKING FOR A CONCISELY TAILORED CATALOG OF AVANT-GARDE TRANSPORTATION. IT ISN'T INTENDED FOR EVERYONE. LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL TO BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT VÉHICULE RELEASES.

NARCO MERCH SHIRT

Print edition, véhicule racing cat, ifykyk signet ring.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

               

41' Apache Race

36' Apache Powerboats 36 ft Warrior

41' APACHE APACHE 41 YELLOW WARPATH

36' Apache Warrior

41' Apache 41

--> -->

• BOAT MODELS
• RESTORATION
• MARK McMANUS
• APACHE STAR – WSR

The 50’ Apache® Shaman is the largest, most powerful and most elegant Apache® ever offered. It seems supernatural in the way it transforms the harshest offshore environment into a pleasurable experience, offering a stable and secure ride through even the roughest sea conditions. It features stand-up or sit-down flexibility for an amazing 9 occupants, including an elegant cabin arrangement with a full galley, enclosed head, various entertainment options and v-berth. Whether you are cruising the Keys or the Mediterranean, the Shaman is the tribal leader of Apache® Powerboats and, like all McManus creations, it can’t be duplicated.

• LOA: 50′ 6″ (15.39 m)
• Beam: 8′ 2″ (2.48 m)
• Fuel: 450 gal., 5 tanks (1702.9 L)
• Draft – Stern Drive Down: 54″ (137.16 cm)

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES ENGINE OPTIONS

• Teague Custom Marine or Mercury Marine available upon request.

(Twin or Triple engine configurations are available.)

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

• Hand laid composite; 100% Kevlar49 with vinylester resin; McManus custom weave design and lamination schedule with high density coring
• 3-year hull warranty
• Hull and deck Kevlar bonded together

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

• Battery box: heavy-duty billet Optima aluminum powder coated (3)
• Bilge blowers: 3” Flexmount (3)
• Bilge pumps: Rule 2000, submersible (3)
• Dash panels: aluminum, anodized, polished and laser engraved
• Engine hatch: automatic
• Engine race mounts: Mercury Racing, steel, front and rear (3)
• Engine room light: Halogen (3)
• Engine room: primed in gelcoat and finished in Awlgrip
• Engine tie-bar: 316 stainless steel; clevis joint; external
• Fasteners: stainless steel grade 18-8 with self-locking nuts throughout
• Fenders (6)
• Fender hangers: stainless steel (6)
• Fuel filters: Teague billet aluminum with water separators (3)
• Fuel pumps: Aeromotive electric (3)
• Fuel tanks: heavy-duty, baffled aluminum; foamed and bolted in position with stainless steel pickups (5)
• Propellers: Mercury 4-blade, stainless steel (3)
• Rub rail: 2 1/16” white neoprene with stainless steel insert
• Sea strainers: heavy-duty cast stainless steel (3)
• Silencer: stainless steel; air operated
• Spare prop mounts (3)
• Steering system: Latham Marine
• Sun pad with Apache Powerboat logo
• Throttles and shifts: Latham Marine
• Tonneau cover for cockpit and engine room: custom designed and fitted Acralon
• Transom: step notch with pad keel
• Trim planes: Mercury 280 Sport K-Planes (1 set)
• Water pickup: transom mounted, stainless steel, adjustable (3)

COCKPIT AND CABIN

• Beverage holders
• Bolsters: forward stand-up or sit-down bolsters; rear bolster/bench seat
• Cabin carpet: removable
• Cockpit carpet: removable
• Cockpit flooring: marine grade rubber
• Cockpit refrigerator: AC/DC
• Cockpit seating area for 8-9 people
• Electric outlet: 110 v.
• Head: enclosed; stainless steel sink; electric toilet
• Holding tank: 20 gal.
• Galley: stainless steel sink, AC/DC refrigerator and storage
• Hand rails: billet aluminum
• Helm: centerline
• Ice cooler: removable
• Lighting: LED; cabin ceilings and cockpit courtesy; Airpax circuit breaker
• Stereo system: audio entertainment with cassette or CD player; acoustic speakers (6 total; 2 in cabin; 4 in cockpit)
• Storage area for dock lines, anchor and fenders
• Water tank (fresh) and pump; 20 gal.

MECHANICAL FUNCTION INSTRUMENTS

Autometer gauges with custom anodized and polished bezels:

• Tachometer (3)
• Hour Meter (3)
• Oil Pressure (3)
• Oil Temperature (3)
• Fuel Pressure (3)
• Fuel (tank tender, 5-tank system)
• Water Temperature (3)
• Trim Indicator for Outdrives & Trim Tabs
• GPS Speedometer
• Voltmeter (3)
• Engine Warning System (3)
• Detonation Meter (3)

DECK RIGGING

• Cleats: stainless marine; recessed, stainless steel (8)
• Deck rail: powder coated
• Fuel fills: flush; stainless steel; 2” (5)

12 VOLT DC ELECTRIC

• 12 v. power outlet
• Batteries: Optima heavy-duty marine (3)
• Battery charger: automatic, 30 amp with 50’ shore power cord
• Parallel solenoid and battery distribution switches (3)
• Terminals, lugs, butt splices and connectors: locking design, nylon insulated
• Wiring and cable: marine grade (UL) tinned copper, specifically designed for marine racing environment; color coded wiring throughout (legend provided)

NAVIGATION AND SAFETY

• Air horn: Watsco hand-held
• Anchor: Fortress chock mounted aluminum with rubber coated chain and 100’ nylon double braided anchor line
• Compass system: Raymarine electronic analog
• Cushion: throwable, Type 4 Permafloat
• Dock lines: nylon double braided; choice of color (8)
• Fire extinguisher system: Fireboy FE-241, automatic discharge, engine room
• Fire extinguisher: 1A-10BC hand-held with 13’ range, cockpit mounted (2)
• Horn: Alpex 12 v.
• Lights: LED international navigation
• Vests: Lifeline type 3, high performance (6)
• VHF marine radio