Cigarette Racing’s Skip Braver was having dinner with a group of automotive journalists at a posh South Beach restaurant when one of the writers asked if automotive designers ever borrow ideas from the marine industry.
“Frankly, that doesn’t happen,” said Braver, who hours earlier had helped unveil the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and a 46-foot boat inspired by the car. “That doesn’t mean our industry can’t offer ideas. They just don’t look to us.”
Over the years, boatbuilders have borrowed liberally from the automotive industry. Whether it’s dash styles or molded bucket seats, designers naturally turn to the car or truck they drive to work every day for inspiration.
In addition, builders such as Marine Technology Inc. have built “theme” boats based on exotic sports cars. MTI’s two memorable creations were based on a Mercedes-Benz and a Ferrari. The Ferrari boat came complete with taillights and headlights, clear acrylic windows on the engine hatches and the classic red paint job.
The Mercedes-Benz-themed boat featured a throttle and shifter and a dash taken from an actual Mercedes-Benz. (Although the dash was replaced because it flexed too much.)
Braver bristles at the suggestion the 46 Rider Cigarette Racing debuted at the Miami International Boat Show last year was a theme boat. “Quite honestly people want to make theme boats, but this was a cooperation between two companies,” Braver said.