Cigarette Launches 52 Thunder Center Console
Last night’s debut of the all-new 52 Thunder center console marks the beginning of a new era for Cigarette Racing Team. For openers, it is the first new model the vaunted custom V-bottom sportboat and center-console builder in Opa-Locka, Fla., has released under its relatively new ownership and the stewardship of chief executive officer Alex Ruiz, the son of company principal owner John R. Ruiz. What’s more, the posh 52-footer powered by five Mercury Racing 500R outboard engines meshes neatly with Cigarette’s current line of high-performance center-consoles.
The new 52 Thunder is positioned between the 42 Auroris and 59 Tirranna center consoles.
“This is our new flagship,” said Ruiz.
The 52 Thunder neatly fills the gap, if it can be called a gap, between the 42 Auroris and the 59 Tirranna. It’s all-new stepped hull boasts a 24-degree deadrise, and its 14-foot beam enabled the Cigarette team to deck it out with amenities above and below deck. Yes, It’s a true luxury dayboat, but it also can pull double duty as a luxury performance cruiser—one with an expansive master cabin—and able to handle open water.
Of course, the new model delivers all detail and flavor buyers have come expect from Cigarette Racing Team models including an expansive helm station with oversized Garmin multi-function displays, a complete open galley area at the stern, and generous dining and lounging stations amidships and in the bow.
The 52 Thunder is the first new Cigarette model released under chief executive officer Alex Ruiz.
Among the features that immediately stood out to this reporter were the six fully hydraulic adjustable captain chairs at the helm station. Each shock-mitigating seat boasted adjustable height, a power drop-out bottom and moveable armrests—all finished in Cigarette’s exquisite in-house upholstery work.
With 5,000 hp worth of Mercury Racing supercharged V-8 outboards on its transom, the 52 Thunder reportedly can reach almost 90 mph. The hull was created at Vectorworks in Titusville, Fla., which also is owned by John R. Ruiz.
But top speed, of course, isn’t everything.
“The boat has to be fast, cruise all day and be more than capable as a luxury boat, so there are a lot of requirements” said Erik Christiansen, the president of Cigarette Racing Team. “We think we achieved all of that with the new 52 Thunder center console.”
The company unveiled the 52-footer at an exclusive venue in Coconut Grove, Fla.
Editor’s note: Speedonthewater.com contributor Jared Powell is the publisher and editor of Wave To Wave digital magazine. Look for a complete report on the 52 Thunder when it becomes available for testing.
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