apache powerboats history

NEXT DROP JULY 8TH, GET NOTIFIED

Item added to your cart

SUBSCRIBE TO VÉHICULE NEWS

VÉHICULE Presents: The Story of Ben Kramer's Apache 47

VÉHICULE talked to powerboat legend and race car driver Lorne L. about his Apache 47 – built and pre-owned by Ben Kramer – that is being restored into its original form in Miami right now.

"I saw the boat completed near the end of 1986 at Fort Apache. It was a monster – 3 engines dwarfed the 47. Ben went to one race in 1987, got busted. I thought it was at the Jockey Club in Miami.

Word got out that boat and rig were abandoned on the highway en route to the shop. I went on a mission to find that boat. No internet, everything was word-of-mouth – all fabricated stories of sightings from New Orleans East to Florida. All BS from it being in secure storage to left out behind a building full of water. All I knew was the feds had it. I never gave up on trying to locate it.

Out of nowhere I get three phone calls days apart in the spring of 1995 telling me the boat is going to auction with other boats and cars in a month at the Cape Kennedy facilities as shown in the monthly Boat Trader publication for Florida. I get a copy and its part of a double page spread. The pictures look pretty good and it's complete with the trailer, the spare engine and spare drive. So it appears it's been unmolested. I later find out the reason it took so long to go to auction was that seized assets cannot be disposed of until all appeals are exhausted for the convict.

I register and attend the auction. The boat looks great, everything looks great, surprisingly. In the office they have a video of the engines being fired up at a dock. I'm excited – most of the brokers that were in attendance knew I was serious about the boat and were already congratulating me before the auction started. The boat was obsolete as a race boat by now…

I hate writing letters, call me when convenient. You can record the answers to all your remaining questions."

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.

WARPATH IMAGE MERCH SHIRT

Warpath merch shirt, midnight express heavyweight merch shirt, 100$ shirts.

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

• 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.

• In the News
• Speed On The Water Videos
• Racing Reports
• Countdown To The 2024 Miami International Boat Show
• Coverage Of The 2024 Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout
• Coverage From The 2023 Key West Poker Run And Offshore World Championships
• Image of the Week
• Safe Boating
• New Products
• Featured Boat
• Latest Projects
• Year in Review Print Magazine
• Subscriber Login/Logout
• Subscribe to SOTW Magazine
• Buy Single Digital Mag Issues
• Magazine Archives
• Magazine Features
• Events Calendar
• Advertising Information
• Article Plaques
• Industry Partners

Featured Boat: 1984 Apache 41 Warpath Auction Ends Sunday

Offered by Bring a Trailer Auctions , a digital auction platform, and Ferco Motors in Miami, one of the most significant offshore racing boats in history is currently up for auction . That’s right, the 1984 Apache Powerboats 41′ V-bottom Warpath is going to end up in the hands of the highest bidder once the online auction ends on Sunday morning (Sept. 19).

Built by Bobby Saccenti of Apache Powerboats in 1984, the 41-foot powerboat that won that year’s American Power Boat Association World Championships in Key West, Fla., was restored more than 10 years ago. According to the auction listing , everything was gone through by the original artist, Gail Paik, and crew chief and Team Apache navigator, Tom Evans.

The listing also stated that hull #001 spent time in Massachusetts before it was moved back to Florida, acquired by the selling dealer in 2007 and restored to like-new condition during the next couple of years. The boat features a Kevlar hull finished in blue and tan with period livery, and its three-place cockpit was reupholstered to match.

Check out the slideshow above for more images of the restored Warpath Apache.

The engines—a pair of Keith Eickert-sourced 1,000-hp supercharged 572-cubic-inch big-block V8s that have were completely gone through by Barry Walker of Airflow Technologies less than 15 hours ago—are paired with Speedmaster No. 6 outdrives. Warpath is offered with a custom-built aluminum All American triple-axle trailer, period photos, a certificate of authenticity, a clean Florida title for the boat and a manufacturer’s statement of origin for the trailer.

Currently the highest bid is at $300,000. Check out the full listing here as well as a 50-second YouTube video of the boat in action.

Featured Boat: 2018 MTI 340X Catamaran

Featured boat: 2008 fountain 35 lightning.

APACHE STILL DELIVERS PERFORMANCE IN THE WAKE…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Daily e-Edition

Evening e-Edition

• Hurricane Tracks
• Election 2024
• Restaurants
• Real Estate
• Things To Do

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Apache still delivers performance in the wake of restructuring..

From 1965 to 1980, Saccenti worked as a mechanic for Hawk Marine Motors on Northeast 188th Street, known as Thunderboat Row. He left in 1980 to join Ben Kramer at Apache Power Boats of Hollywood.

In 1985, Kramer and Saccenti split. Saccenti launched his own company, Apache Performance Boats in an 18,000-square-foot plant at 3161 NE 188th St. The different Apaches have been confused in the past and that’s a problem Saccenti and his new marketing department seek to correct.

Federal agents confiscated Kramer’s former company, Apache Boat of Hollywood, and Kramer’s Fort Apache Marina on Thunderboat Row in 1986. The seizure resulted from Kramer’s conviction of drug running under the Federal Drug Kingpin statute. Kramer now is in the maximum security Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan.

Recently, Saccenti’s Apache Performance Boats announced a major internal reorganization geared for long-term development internationally and domestically. Michael Burnstine joined Apache to head the effort as vice president of sales and marketing.

Under Burnstine’s direction, Apache has developed a national advertising and marketing campaign to promote its custom-made high-performance boats. Previously, Apache relied on word-of-mouth advertising, Saccenti said.

“I had a lot of repeat customers,” Saccenti said. “Once you become an Apache customer — you become part of the tribe. We stay in contact with most of our customers.”

Saccenti’s company has the license to build high-performance boats with the Apache name from 21 to 36 feet. The Hollywood-based Apache has the license to build high-performance boats 41 feet and longer using the Apache name, he said.

Apache introduced its latest model, the Apache Warrior 36 earlier this year. The boat’s base price is $184,000 but it can go as high as $300,000 depending on what kind of engines the customer wants, Burnstine said. Apache has also come out with a high-performance fishing boat.

The Apache Warrior 36, carrying 190 gallons of fuel, has been clocked at 65 miles per hour. In addition to speed, the Warrior sports flashy graphics and paint schemes and has plenty of luxurious amenities. For example, it comes equipped with a below-deck cabin outfitted with European-designed upholstery sewn onto the seats.

Apache Performance Boats has 15 employees and sales of more than $1 million annually, Saccenti said. It builds 15 to 18 boats a year. Saccenti, 46, wants to expand slowly.

“You kind of lose quality when you start to get too busy,” Saccenti said. “A lot of companies rush the boats out the door because they want the money. It’s a slow process here.”

Saccenti still works six days a week and doesn’t have any plans to retire soon.

When asked whether he planned to pass the company on to his sons Robert, 12, and Christopher, 10, Saccenti shook his head no. They’re going to medical school to be doctors, he said.

More in News

Storms & Hurricanes | Nontropical system in Gulf brings rain to Mexico

Real Estate | Clouds rising over banks? As interest rates stay high, FAU survey handicaps risks for lenders with big books of commercial loans

Education | Broward schools bungle high school intercom replacement

Politics | DeSantis vetoes money for public safety, flood control and more. Here’s the South Florida list.

• 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.

• 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...

• ?            
• 920.5K posts
• 19.1K members

Top Contributors this Month

Local News | Legendary powerboat manufacturer’s ‘Predator’…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Share via SMS (Opens in new window)
• Lake County
• Geauga County
• Cuyahoga County
• Opioid Epidemic

Local News | Legendary powerboat manufacturer’s ‘Predator’ wins in Lake County

The boat finished first in its class during eastlake willoughby offshore grand prix.

“Predator” finished first place in its class during the races that took place July 10. The boat goes back 30 years in history and has three different owners, McManus said.

“Hats off to all the organizers,” he said. “We wish to congratulate and thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

McManus, president and part owner of Apache Powerboats in Fort Myers, Florida, alongside Kelli Thurman, said that “Predator” is one of the more famous boats he’s manufactured in the history of offshore racing. It’s a 41-foot long powerboat owned by Stahlman Motorsports and the president of the company, Dean Stahlman, who is the driver of the boat.

“The throttle man of the boat, because it takes three people to operate, is Nate Hunt,” McManus said. “The navigator for this race was Wayne Courson. The race on Sunday as attended by 23 race boats. Most of those boats, I would say, were veteran boats.”

“The important thing is why did we come from Naples, Florida, where the home team and the home of the boat is?” McManus said. “Why did we come all that journey to Eastlake? The organizer and the promoter of the race makes it fun for us, make us feel like family, makes it feel like a small club race of friends and we’re well taken care of.”

During the Eastlake Willoughby Offshore Grand Prix’s days of events, which took place from July 8 to 10, McManus took note of the accommodations for the powerboats, the events, the parade and the parties.

“The town is a friendly, old-time America town that you don’t find anymore,” he said. “That’s what makes people come a 1,000 miles to race there. It’s about the people and not anything else. The town has open arms and it’s one of the only venues where all of our boats were kept protected in a warehouse after the long journey there.”

The powerboat parade and the opportunity to interact with the public reminded McManus of the way things used to be 30 years ago.

“I’ve been building race boats for 35 years,” he said. “To find a small town, friendly atmosphere is difficult today. We would have went 3,000 miles because it’s about respect and how we’re treated there.”

When traveling with a powerboat, it takes two drivers, a lot of spare parts and road equipment, McManus said. Due to roads being overcrowded with mainly truck traffic, it is a long, challenging journey.

“You do the best you can, but you never know what you’re doing to deal with around the next corner,” McManus said. “The temperature is so warm now that we’ll go through six or eight tires to get there because the roads are 130 to 150 degrees. The truck and trailer are almost 82-feet long, so you have to use two professional drivers. Each driver rotates probably every four to six hours. It’s worth it, it’s part of racing and you do it because it’s heaven when you get there.”

McManus’ grandfather, Amos, owned a shipbuilding and repair yard business, which McManus began visiting at age 4. After studying architecture design and mechanical engineering, McManus began his career with New Orleans shipyard Halter Marine, where he managed the construction of 65-foot yachts.

In 1977, Halter Marine purchased Cigarette Boats from the late Don Aronow, a boat builder and champion racer who was murdered in 1987. Aronow has built speedboats fore the Shah of Iran, Charles Keating, Robert Vesco, Malcolm Forbes and George H. W. Bush during his career. McManus moved to North Miami Beach where he supervised construction of Cigarette models from 20 to 41 feet.

At the time, Vice President Bush traveled to Miami to inspect the prototype named Blue Thunder, the first of 14 vessels McManus built for U.S. Customs to be used for drug smuggling patrols along the Florida coastline. Throughout his storied career, McManus has manufactured more than 600 offshore boats from 20 to 65 feet.

“I’m 69 this year and it’s about the quality of life, of what we experience and the memories we make,” McManus said.

More in Local News

Richmond Heights Fire Department to launch Community Paramedicine Program

Wayout Toys offers a ‘Gen-X-capade’ with local business vibe in Mentor-on-the-Lake

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Local news | perry fall festival gains first major sponsor for 2024 event.

Construction of new water tower drawing attention in Fairport Harbor

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

Apache Star

The Apache Star® is the most famous Deep-V offshore Kevlar® and carbon fiber race boat in history. Originally named Apache® Heritage, the boat broke multiple records and won world championships in 1992 and 1993 while writing powerboat history as the first sit-down Deep-V in the world .

Following more than 7,000 hours of painstaking work to refurbish the boat to as-new condition, The Apache Star® once again wears it’s famed Number 50 . Modern upgrades to the boat include new custom-made helmets and Recaro racing bucket seats that utilize technologies developed for next-generation fighter jets, plus twin Mercury Racing bi-turbo engines that generate a combined total of 2,700 horsepower. Apache Star® set a record for the fastest crossing between Key West, FL and Havana, Cuba on August 1st, 2015.

Meet The Crew

Of the  apache star.

Record Breaking Journey

In the apache star.

Apache Star® traversed approximately 100 Nautical Miles in the span of 90 minutes, beginning in Key West Florida on August 1st. This journey beat the previous boat crossing record by over 4 hours!

Facts, Data & Cost

“apache heritage”.

• Originally built in 1992
• Restoration in 2012 as “Apache Star”
• Apache 45’ – Deep Vee manufactured by Mark McManus.
• Superboat class having three (3) 1000 HP engines
• Apache Heritage is the most valuable deep vee powerboat in the last 25 years of powerboat racing.
• A sale for the boat has never been advertised or promoted.

Facts of Use

There are less than 25 total hours of use on the hull. It has never been damaged or repaired and has usually been in the control of Mark McManus.

The initial cost in 1992 was $1.25 million Euros to provide Apache Heritage. The cost to replace Apache Heritage today is in excess of $3 Million.

Accomplishments

The success of  Apache Heritage  in 1992 and 1993 changed the future of the sport of offshore racing. The Apache 45 prototype is the only sit down Apache race boat ever produced. Apache Heritage proved that sitting under a canopy could be accomplished without problems for visibility and it added 10% to top speeds, in a safe cell for driver and crew. The design was successful winning two consecutive Super Boat Championships. Many manufacturers copied the design after production but no one has the laminate formulation or aware of how the hull was manufactured and the history of Apache Heritage has never been duplicated.

Apache Heritage was the first deep vee sit down under canopy super boat with three (3) engines in the world. It was a prototype that changed the sport of offshore for increased safety,speed and endurance.

Apache Heritage has raced 5 times, only in 1992 and again in 1993 at the Key West World Championship events. It raced against more than 25 competitors, winning Super Boat World Champion overall and total points champion in both years. These victories were over even four (4) engine catamaran boats

Press and Media

Apache star® to attempt key west to havana speed record on august 1, 2015.

History will be made in Florida on Saturday, August 1 , when the most famous offshore Deep-V race boat in US history will attempt to set a new world record for the fastest crossing between Key West and Havana .

The Apache Star – a two-time World Champion , Kevlar and carbon fiber Deep-V race boat capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph – will attempt to beat the current record with Apache Powerboats owner and offshore performance boating legend Mark McManus operating the throttles, and racer Roger Kluh driving. The crossing will mark the first time since 1963 that an American-built pleasure boat with an American crew has been authorized by the US government to visit Cuba.

Apache Star will depart Stock Island Marina in Key West, Florida, at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 1, destined for the Hemingway International Yacht Club, Havana, Cuba. The boat will return to Key West on August 3.

The current record for the fastest Florida-to-Cuba crossing was set in 1958 by Forest Johnson, with a time of six hours, 24 minutes. This beat the original record, set in 1922 by Gar Wood.

The Apache Star® – originally named Apache Heritage – broke multiple records and won two world championships in 1992 and 1993, writing powerboat history as the first sit-down Deep-V in the world. Once again wearing its famed number 50, the boat has received a number of modern upgrades as part of an extensive restoration effort in preparation for its record attempt – including new, custom-made helmets and Recaro racing bucket seats that utilize technologies developed for fighter jets. Twin Mercury Racing bi-turbo engines that generate a combined total of 2,700 horsepower have pushed Apache Star to speeds of more than 115 knots in initial test drives. It took more than two years to prepare the vessel for this historic mission, and more than three years to secure the necessary permits.

Apache Star® made history on August 1, 2015, the first Pleasure boat with 4 passengers to travel from Key west to Havana Cuba in 90 minutes. The distance was 110 miles.