If ever you’ve dreamed of joining the exclusive band of powerboat racers who take on each other and the ocean to campaign these sea monsters in some of the most daunting races on the planet, now is the time to attend The London Concours Lifestyle Auction on the evening of June 5th at the Honourable Artillery Company with Iconic Auctioneers where ‘Monster Munch’ will be sold at ‘ No Reserve’.
This legendary powerboat, Monster Munch is a race winning water speed demon, capable of speeds in excess of 100mph.
The world famous Cigarette racing boat company was established during 1969 in South Florida by legendary power boat racer, the late Don Arronow. He went on to win numerous powerboat world championships and set several world records in his famous Cigarette racing boats which are still built and winning today.
The Cigarette design is instantly recognisable throughout the world and their designs and style have set the highest standards in power boat racing across the globe. In the early 1960s, Donald Aronow built his first boat with this hull design and christened it ‘The Cigarette’. He thought the long sleek look of the boat resembled a cigarette and this name went on to replace the older term for these boats – ‘rum runner’.
Cigarette Racing’s reputation as the market’s premier powerboat builder is rooted in boating history where performance made its early run for glory. From its inception in 1969 to Aronow’s death in 1987, the company grew in size and reputation, based on the hard-driving, fast-lane living of its founder.
The boat ‘Monster Munch’ being auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers, is a genuine American Cigarette racing 36-foot racing hull with twin ‘Richie Zul’ 775 horsepower American V8’s, IMCO Bravo surface drives with five blade Hering propellors. The boat has been privately owned and maintained regardless of cost, with only 236 engine hours use and a total and complete service history totalling over 128,000 Euros over the last decade this genuine 108mph boat it is based in Mallorca and has always been stored indoors.
The boat will be auctioned at No Reserve with a guide price of £80,000 – £100,000. The most recent prices achieved for Cigarette boats range from £125,000 – £250,000.
The boat was supplied new to its first owner, Ivan “Putch” Rodriguez, in 2004 and was originally based in Marina Botafoch, Ibiza. It was then sold to the current vendor, a private enthusiast with several other serious motor yachts. In January 2010 when it had covered around 160 hours of use he moved the boat to Mallorca, where it is currently stored indoors (and has always been stored indoors whenever not in use), and then looked after by Nigel Figgins of NJF Marine.
Nigel has been instructed to maintain the boat regardless of cost, and all the documentation and invoices covering this annual maintenance can be seen and inspected. Recent work includes a full engine overhaul to both engines by Richie Zul as well as a rebuild of the complete drivetrain. More recently in 2023 new batteries were fitted as well as a new sea water pump and the usual annual maintenance which has been consistently carried out throughout our vendor’s period of ownership.
It is now available turnkey and ready to use. Potential buyers can arrange to have the boat surveyed, or inspected, in Mallorca at their convenience and expense. It will need collecting from Mallorca as it is being sold ‘In absentia’ and will not be physically present at The London Concours Auction, although all documentation will be present. For more information or to discuss this boat please call Iconic Auctioneers Chairman, Nick Whale.
The Iconic Auctioneers London Concours Lifestyle Sale takes place of the evening of the 5th June at the Royal Artillery Company in the City of London. The auction features a collection of collectors’ cars, motorcycles, automobilia, art, jewellery, collectibles and watches, as well as this boat. Viewing is available at the venue on Tuesday 5th and on Wednesday 5th until the auction commences at 5.30pm that evening.
All lots are viewable on the website www.iconicauctioneers.com where you can also register to bid, be it in person, online, by telephone or commission bid. The auction will also be live streamed on the Iconic Auctioneers website so that those unable to join the event in-person can watch and bid remotely.
