With the kind of coin it takes to get your hands on a Cigarette boat or International CXT you would think that no additions could be made. Boating aficionado Danny Gilileo knew better. Hanging out at Lip-Ship Performance after the Miami International Boat Show opened our eyes to a whole world rarely seen in West Coast boating. At nine feet high, International's renowned, unmistakable CXT is a staple in the stables of the rich and recognized. It's the largest production pickup truck currently on the market. Not that it needed to stand out any more than it does, but Lip-Ship Performance saw to painting the truck in blindingly vibrant blues. Equipped with the International DT 466 diesel engine, the CXT is capable of hauling around upwards of six tons. Try that with an average dualie. An air-ride cab and air-ride suspension ensure that the trip is smooth as well. With a full complement of colors and the ability to haul a serious water toy around, this rig is a definitive must-have. Tree huggers need not apply.
All that towing capacity is certainly used properly with the Cigarette 42X swinging from the hitch. Phil Lipschutz, president of Lip-Ship Performance, oversees the upbringing of his chosen projects at the Cigarette factory. With input on part placement, interiors, and drive options, Phil knows exactly what his customers are getting. Once out of the factory the 42X was delivered to Lip-Ship for the additions his customer ordered. In-house color agent Grafik Worx stripped the hull down to prepare it for a custom-mixed menagerie of DuPont hues. Neil Hernandez of the Cigarette factory put the interior back together per Phil's needs, including mood lighting, air conditioning, and colors.
A boat of this size and caliber isn't going to be sporting the 496 Mag HO we're so accustomed to seeing, but instead is running staggered-placement Mercury Racing 850 SCi motors. Sporting twin Lysholm compressors on each motor, the motors are 557 cubic inches with 850 horses of fury at will. To accommodate the blown power levels created, Mercury Racing number-six drives are the only drive available with the purchase of these motors. Capable of running at 100 mph showroom stock, Lip-Ship re-centers and re-weights the boat's accessories to provide a more stable and proper riding hull. With the $10,000-apiece Herring 5-blade props in place and Lip-Ship's mods, this bad boy is capable of running on top of the water at nearly 110 mph. Although it doesn't seem like much, a 7-8 mph difference with no additional power is amazing. Keeping tabs on everything are Marine Machine throttles and shifters, Garmin GPS, and Livorsi gauges.
Creature comforts abound, and with this much space, they should. A custom stereo surrounds Danny and passengers alike with rich sound. Emanating from the cockpit and cabin, 12 speakers keep entertainment levels high. A Pioneer CD/MP3 head unit is remote-controlled from the dash and signals four JL amplifiers pushing 3,000 watts. JL Audio separates run highs and mid tones while two JL Audio subwoofers create the feeling of sonic power. Once docked, the mood lighting is flicked on in the undercabin area and the self-contained A/C cools away the heat emanating from the glorious Miami sun.
Danny Gilileo certainly knows what he likes, and with Phil and crew from Lip-Ship Performance in command, he could do no wrong. With retina-searing paint schemes for both boat and tow vehicles on top of the outrageous customer service provided, Lip-Ship is the leader in Cigarette customizing. Not to leave well enough alone, Danny has commissioned Phil to paint-match two Sea Doo supercharged RXPs and powdercoat the skis and boat's trailer to complement them. Now, that sounds like the only way to ride.