Top 10 Speed Boats 1973 — Best Overall + Best Value

1Cigarette 32 Rum Runner

The Cigarette 32 Rum Runner ranks first because it was the boat that defined the entire speedboat category in the early 1970s. Built by Don Aronow's Cigarette Racing Team out of Miami, its deep-V fiberglass hull was refined through offshore powerboat racing wins earlier in the decade. Twin big-block V8 inboards pushed it well past 70 mph in open water. Construction quality and pedigree made it the benchmark others copied.

This boat is for buyers chasing raw offshore performance and racing pedigree, not comfort or cargo space. It trades cabin room and fuel economy for a narrow, pounding deep-V hull built to punch through chop at speed. Compared to the Donzi below it, the Cigarette is faster and rougher-riding, aimed at serious open-water runs rather than casual weekend cruising near shore.

2Donzi 18 Classic

The Donzi 18 Classic lands at second because it delivers much of the deep-V performance pedigree of the larger racers in a smaller, more attainable fiberglass hull. Don Aronow designed the original Donzi deep-V in the mid-1960s, and by 1973 the 18-foot version was a proven, lightweight runabout capable of high speed on a modest engine. Its hull shape traces directly to the same offshore-racing lineage as the Cigarette line.

Buyers who want speedboat handling without the size, cost, or maintenance of a 30-foot offshore racer land here. It gives up top-end speed and rough-water stability compared to the Cigarette 32 above it, but is easier to trailer, dock, and run solo. Below it, the Magnum trades some of this nimbleness for a bigger, more planted hull.

3Magnum Marine Magnum 27

The Magnum 27 ranks third on the strength of its deep-V hull engineering from Don Aronow's second boatbuilding venture, Magnum Marine, founded after he sold Donzi and Cigarette. The 27-foot fiberglass hull was built specifically for stability at speed in rough offshore water, a direct descendant of the same racing-hull philosophy. Twin inboard power gave it strong top-end performance for its size class.

It suits buyers who want offshore-capable rough-water manners in a mid-size hull rather than the largest, most extreme racers. It trades some outright top speed against the Cigarette 32 for a steadier, more controllable ride. Compared to the smaller Donzi 18 above it, the Magnum 27 carries more weight and cost but rides flatter in chop.

4Bertram 31 Bahia Mar

The Bertram 31 ranks fourth because Dick Bertram's deep-V hull, developed from naval architect Ray Hunt's original design, was one of the most raced and copied offshore hulls of the era. By 1973 the 31-foot Bertram had years of offshore racing wins behind it, proving the hull in rough Atlantic conditions. Solid fiberglass construction and twin inboard diesels or gas engines gave it durability over raw speed.

This is the pick for buyers prioritizing seaworthiness and durability over outright top speed. It gives up some straight-line performance against the Magnum 27 above it in exchange for a more forgiving, heavier ride in real ocean conditions. Compared to the Formula below it, the Bertram is built more for distance offshore running than sport-day acceleration.

5Formula 233

The Formula 233 ranks fifth as a strong middle-ground choice, built by Formula Boats with a fiberglass deep-V hull sized for both speed and everyday usability. It ranks below the pure offshore racers because its hull and power were tuned more for balanced performance than record-chasing top ends. Single or twin sterndrive power made it more approachable to maintain than the big-block inboard racers above it.

It suits buyers who want speedboat performance without offshore-racing complexity or cost. It trades top speed and rough-water toughness against the Bertram 31 above it for easier trailering, simpler mechanicals, and lower running costs. Against the Chris-Craft below it, the Formula leans sportier and less toward classic cruising comfort.

6Chris-Craft Lancer

The Chris-Craft Lancer ranks sixth because Chris-Craft, America's oldest major boatbuilder, shifted its Lancer line toward fiberglass sport hulls to compete in the speedboat market of the early 1970s. It ranks behind the dedicated deep-V racers because its hull and layout balanced speed with passenger comfort rather than maximizing velocity. Sterndrive power kept it practical for weekend owners rather than racers.

This boat suits buyers who want a recognizable, well-built brand name and comfortable seating over outright performance. It trades speed and hard-water handling against the Formula 233 above it for a smoother ride and more finished interior. Compared to the Glastron below it, the Lancer is heavier built but less overtly performance-focused.

7Glastron GT-150

The Glastron GT-150 ranks seventh as a lightweight fiberglass runabout that made speedboat performance accessible to a broader buyer in the early 1970s. Glastron was known for tri-hull and V-hull designs that planed quickly on modest horsepower, making the GT-150 quick off the line despite a small engine. It ranks below the larger inboards because its light build sacrifices rough-water composure for speed and low cost.

It fits buyers on a budget who want a fun, fast day boat rather than an offshore machine. It trades the Chris-Craft Lancer's stability and finish above it for a lower price and easier towing. Compared to the Correct Craft below it, the Glastron is built more for speed thrills than dedicated watersports duty.

8Correct Craft Ski Nautique

The Correct Craft Ski Nautique ranks eighth because it was purpose-built for waterskiing rather than top speed, giving it a flatter, more controlled wake and hull than the runabouts above it. Correct Craft had built dedicated ski boats since the 1950s, and by 1973 the Ski Nautique was a standard at ski clubs and competitions. Inboard power centered the weight for a clean, consistent wake rather than chasing raw velocity.

This is the choice for buyers whose priority is towing skiers cleanly, not outright speed. It trades top-end performance against the Glastron GT-150 above it for wake quality and low-wake control at speed. Against the Century below it, the Ski Nautique is more specialized and less of a general-purpose speed runabout.

9Century Resorter

The Century Resorter ranks ninth as a classic fiberglass runabout from Century Boats, a builder known through the 1960s and 1970s for clean-lined, family-oriented speedboats. It ranks lower on this list because its hull and power were tuned for comfortable day cruising and moderate speed rather than performance extremes. Build quality and simple mechanicals made it a durable, low-maintenance choice.

It suits buyers who want a good-looking, reliable family runabout over a speed machine. It trades performance against the Correct Craft above it for comfort, versatility, and lower upkeep. Compared to the Boston Whaler below it, the Resorter prioritizes classic runabout styling and speed over the Whaler's unsinkable, utilitarian toughness.

10Boston Whaler Nauset

The Boston Whaler Nauset ranks tenth because its unsinkable foam-cored hull design, patented by Boston Whaler in the 1960s, prioritized safety and durability over speed, placing it last among true speedboats on this list. It was capable and reliable but never built to chase the top speeds of the deep-V offshore hulls above it. Its simple, rugged construction made it a workhorse rather than a racer.

This boat is for buyers who value durability, safety, and low-maintenance ownership over performance. It trades speed and sporty handling against every boat above it, including the Century Resorter, for a hull that famously will not sink even when swamped. It's the practical, no-frills entry on a list otherwise built around speed.

How we ranked these

Rankings weighted top speed and horsepower-to-weight ratio first, since 1973 buyers cared most about how fast a deep-V hull could run offshore. Hull design (deadrise angle, chine configuration), build materials (fiberglass layup quality, wood transoms), and racing pedigree — wins or podiums in offshore events like the Miami-Nassau race — counted next. Brand reputation from builders like Aronow, Bertram, and Chris-Craft also factored into the overall score.

Modern electronics, GPS, and present-day insurance costs were ignored, since none existed or applied to a 1973 model year. Current auction prices and restoration condition were set aside too — those reflect scarcity and collector fashion today, not how the boat performed when new. Fuel economy was also excluded; nobody buying a 1973 offshore racer cared about miles per gallon, only about outrunning the competition.

What to look for

What actually separates these boats is hull deadrise and transom design, not raw horsepower — a 24-degree deep-V from Bertram or Donzi handles rough offshore chop far better than a flatter hull with a bigger engine. Engine condition and drivetrain originality (matching-numbers MerCruiser or Chrysler blocks) matter more than cosmetic condition, since a repowered hull loses collector value even if it runs faster today.

The mistake most buyers make is chasing top-speed claims from 1973 brochures without verifying hull condition — stringers and transoms on 50-year-old fiberglass boats rot from the inside, and a soft transom costs more to fix than the boat is worth. Buyers also overpay for a famous name like Cigarette without confirming the hull is an original Aronow-era build rather than a later re-badged copy.

Related questions

What made the deep-V hull revolutionary for 1973 speed boats?

Don Aronow's deep-V design, refined through the 1960s, angled the hull's bottom sharply (often 24 degrees at the transom) so it sliced through waves instead of pounding across them. In 1973 this let boats like the Cigarette and Donzi hold 60+ mph in rough offshore chop where flatter-bottomed competitors had to slow down or risk structural damage.

How fast could a 1973 Cigarette boat actually go?

A stock 1973 Cigarette with twin 425-horsepower MerCruiser or Chrysler engines could reach roughly 70-75 mph on calm water, and race-tuned versions used in the Miami-Nassau and Cowes offshore races pushed past 80 mph. Top speed varied heavily with hull length, prop pitch, and how much fuel and gear was aboard that day.

Why was the Miami-Nassau race important to boat design in this era?

The Miami-Nassau race forced builders to prove hulls could survive 180+ miles of open ocean at speed, not just look fast at a boat show. Boats that broke down, flooded, or pounded apart got publicly humiliated, so brands like Bertram, Donzi, and Cigarette used race results directly in advertising to prove durability, not just top speed.

What's the difference between a Donzi and a Magnum Marine boat from 1973?

Donzi built smaller, lighter deep-V hulls (18-27 feet) aimed at weekend performance boaters, while Magnum Marine, also an Aronow company, built larger 27-33 foot offshore racers with heavier construction meant for rough-water endurance racing. Magnums generally cost more, carried bigger engines, and were built in far smaller numbers than Donzis.

Are original 1973 speedboat engines still usable today?

Most surviving 1973 boats originally carried Chrysler, MerCruiser, or Ford marine V8s in the 350-450 horsepower range, and many owners keep matching-numbers engines running with period-correct rebuilds for collector value. Others repower with modern fuel-injected blocks for reliability, which improves daily usability but typically lowers a boat's value to serious collectors.

What should a buyer check before purchasing a 1973-era hull?

Check the transom and stringers first by tapping for soft spots, since rotted wood cores under fiberglass are the most common and expensive problem on boats this age. Also verify hull identification numbers match title paperwork, inspect for hairline stress cracks near the chines from hard offshore use, and confirm the drivetrain's service history.

How does 1973 offshore racing compare to today's powerboat racing?

1973-era offshore racing used production-based deep-V hulls with roughly 400-800 combined horsepower reaching 70-90 mph, run mostly by wealthy amateurs and boat builders like Aronow himself. Today's Class 1 and Super Boat racing uses purpose-built catamaran hulls with 1,000+ horsepower per engine exceeding 150 mph, making direct speed comparisons between eras largely meaningless.

FAQ

What was the fastest production speed boat in 1973?

Among production (non-custom-race) boats, the Cigarette 32-footer and Magnum Marine's larger hulls were widely considered the fastest, with claimed top speeds in the 70-80 mph range on twin big-block V8 power. Actual top speed depended heavily on engine tune, propeller choice, and sea conditions, so magazine-tested numbers varied boat to boat.

Who was Don Aronow and why does he matter to this list?

Don Aronow founded Cigarette Racing, Donzi Marine, Magnum Marine, and later Squadron XII and USA Racing — nearly every major deep-V performance boat brand from this era traces back to him. His hull designs and offshore race wins set the performance benchmark that competitors like Bertram and Chris-Craft had to match through the early 1970s.

Were these boats built for racing or recreational use?

Most were dual-purpose: brands sold a recreational version of the same hull raced offshore, using race wins as marketing proof of durability and speed. Buyers could purchase a boat nearly identical to a Miami-Nassau race entry, then run it recreationally on weekends — the racing pedigree was the actual selling point, not a separate product line.

What engines powered most 1973 speed boats?

Twin big-block V8s dominated, most commonly Chrysler 440s, MerCruiser 454s, or Ford 429/460 marine conversions, typically producing 350-450 horsepower each. Some race-focused Magnum and Cigarette hulls ran supercharged or highly modified versions pushing past 500 horsepower per engine, though those setups sacrificed reliability for outright speed on race day.

Is 'best value' realistic for a 50-year-old speed boat?

Best value here means lowest total cost relative to performance and collector desirability, not cheap. A well-maintained Glastron or Wellcraft from 1973 can be found for a fraction of a Cigarette or Magnum's price while still delivering comparable deep-V handling, making it the better choice for buyers who want the era's performance without paying for a famous name.

How much fiberglass boat restoration is typically needed on a survivor?

Expect to budget for stringer and transom replacement on most unrestored 50-year-old hulls, since wood cores routinely fail from decades of water intrusion. Gelcoat, upholstery, and wiring almost always need full replacement too. A solid original boat still commonly needs $15,000-40,000 in structural and cosmetic work before it's safely usable offshore again.

What made Bertram and Chris-Craft different from the Aronow-family brands?

Bertram built heavier, more conservative offshore hulls aimed at serious sportfishing and rough-water durability rather than outright top speed, while Chris-Craft leaned toward polished, family-oriented runabouts with strong resale brand recognition. Neither chased the raw speed records that Cigarette and Magnum did, but both built more boats and remain easier to find and service today.

Do 1973 speed boats hold their value as collectibles?

Well-documented examples with matching numbers and race provenance, especially Cigarette and Magnum hulls tied to known Aronow-era builds, have appreciated steadily as collector interest in offshore racing history grows. Lesser-known production hulls without racing history or a title chain typically trade closer to used-boat prices than genuine collector value.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Aronow
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_Racing_Team
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donzi_Marine
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_Marine
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Yacht
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris-Craft
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offshore_powerboat_racing
• https://www.hemmings.com

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