Don Aronow - Anybody know him? | FerrariChat

Don Aronow - Anybody know him?

Discussion in 'Motorcycles & Boats' started by mikesufka, Mar 22, 2016.

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  1. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    I just starting reading "Blue Thunder" last night on Don Aronow, a legend in the fast boat world.

    Just curious if anyone here had any interaction with him?

    MDS
     
  2. zudnic

    zudnic Formula 3

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    Never met him. But do know of him. Do know someone who did know him back in the day.
     
  3. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Don't know him, but absolutely fascinating story. In many ways he reminds me of Mickey Thompson. Both were murdered by a "business partner", within a year of each other if memory serves.
     
  4. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    Crazy he was behind Magnum, Formula, Cigarette, and Donzi. He was buddies with former President Bush, Sr., too.
     
  5. zudnic

    zudnic Formula 3

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    The rumor. Aranow and Ben Kramer, not really partners. Aranow did sell a hull design that Kramer built Apache Powerboats around. The hull became the 41 Apache. Vice President Bush wanted to give the coast guard to have fast pursuit boats and turned to Don Aranow to build them. Aranow sold the new company to Ben Kramer. Kramer was a known marijuana smuggler. The government canceled the contract because they didn't want a drug dealer building their boats. Apparently, Kramer talked Aranow into taking back the company. Kramer paid X amount on paper. He also paid a huge sum under the table in cash. Aranow refunded the paper amount and kept the under table cash. He paid a heavy price "ripping" off a drug dealer. That's the theory anyway.
     
  6. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    Yeah probably not a good idea. I've read he was a total hound too.
     
  7. zudnic

    zudnic Formula 3

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    I've herd stories. A few offshore racers hang out on Offshore Only a few of them knew him and some even raced with him. When I had my Donzi, his son posted on the Donzi forum for awhile.
     
  8. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    He sounded like a HUGE character.
     
  9. norcal2

    norcal2 F1 Veteran

  10. zudnic

    zudnic Formula 3

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  11. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    #11 Str8shooter, Mar 24, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    While I never met Don Aronow I did have a few friends that were into offshore powerboat racing and I spent a few years hanging out with them and photographing various races. They took me to Thunderboat Row one time and it was pretty amazing.

    I grew up in south Florida in the 70s and 80s so I'm well aware of the drug smuggling that went on and the battle against it. I remember when the DEA got Blue Thunder and one day I got to see it in action just off the beach in southwest FL. I was on a high rise and had my camera as the DEA put on a display of their capabilities.
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  12. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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  13. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Reading through it is wacky, but I'd suggest to most of the people that post there - Occam's razor! :D
     
  14. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

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  15. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

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    Quite a read.

    CW
     
  16. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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  17. zudnic

    zudnic Formula 3

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    Forgot another guy who sometimes posts on various boat forums is Charlie McCarthy. His company: Charlie McCarthy's banana boat co -- Racing

    Don Aranow didn't sell him the company, but did help him get started. McCarthy is mentioned in the Brock Yates cannonball book. McCarthy was good friends with Aranow and tells some great stories.
     

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