Ben Kramer: A Powerboat Champion’s Turbulent Life of Speed and Scandal
The rise and fall of offshore legend Ben Kramer
July 29, 2025
Ben Kramer was a dominant figure in offshore powerboat racing during the 1980s, his name synonymous with thrilling victories and unrelenting ambition. Yet his legacy is equally defined by criminal enterprises, a bold prison escape attempt, and a connection to a notorious murder. This account examines Kramer’s triumphs on the water and the legal battles that overshadowed them.
A Rebellious Youth and the Lure of the Sea
Born in Hollywood, Florida, in 1954, Benjamin Barry Kramer clashed early with his father, Jack, a conflict that drove him from home at 16. To support himself, he turned to selling marijuana, a venture that proved lucrative enough to purchase a yellow Cigarette boat. Inspired by Don Aronow, the celebrated powerboat racer and designer, Kramer found his calling on the water. However, that same boat, initially a vessel for racing dreams, also served as a tool for smuggling, setting the stage for his dual life.
A Stellar Career on the Racing Circuit
Kramer’s skill as a racer quickly set him apart. In 1984, he captured the World Offshore Powerboat Championship, showcasing his ability to navigate treacherous conditions. Two years later, he secured the U.S. Open Class title, cementing his status as a formidable competitor. His 47-foot Apache boat, “Warpath,” built with partner Bob Saccenti, was a technological marvel, capable of reaching 90 miles per hour even in punishing seas. Kramer’s team clinched the 1984 Key West World Championship. Nevertheless, his achievements were shadowed by rumors of illicit dealings.
Building Apache Powerboats
Beyond the racetrack, Kramer was an entrepreneur. In 1982, he co-founded Apache Powerboats with Saccenti, using a 41-foot mold purchased from Aronow to create “Warpath.” Their boats, renowned for speed and durability, became coveted in racing circles. Kramer also operated Fort Apache Marina, a hub for his ventures. Persistent rumors suggested some boats were equipped with hidden compartments for smuggling. As his business expanded, it drew increasing attention from authorities.
A Double Life Unravels
Kramer’s racing success concealed a sprawling criminal operation. From 1983 to 1986, federal authorities alleged he orchestrated the smuggling of 500,000 pounds of marijuana, leveraging the same high-speed boats that brought him racing glory. In 1987, his double life unraveled when federal prosecutors charged him with a 44-count indictment for racketeering and tax evasion. Arrested at a Miami race, Kramer saw his career on the water come to an abrupt halt, replaced by the prospect of a lengthy prison term.
The Aronow Murder: A Shadow Over His Legacy
The 1987 murder of Don Aronow, gunned down in his Mercedes on Miami’s “Thunderboat Alley,” sent shockwaves through the racing community. Kramer, once a protégé of the slain designer, emerged as a suspect. Speculation swirled about motives—some pointed to a soured deal involving Blue Thunder boats for the U.S. Customs Service, while others suggested ties to Colombian drug cartels. In 1996, Kramer pleaded no contest to manslaughter, receiving a 19-year sentence to run concurrently with his life term for drug smuggling. The true circumstances of Aronow’s death remain shrouded in mystery.
A Brazen Escape Attempt
Kramer’s defiance persisted behind bars. In 1989, he orchestrated a dramatic escape attempt from the Metropolitan Correctional Center. A helicopter descended into the prison yard, and Kramer seized a rope ladder, only for the aircraft to crash into a fence. The botched escape left Kramer with a fractured ankle and the pilot with two broken legs, adding new charges to his record. The audacious failure only deepened his notoriety.
Legal Battles and a Fight for Redemption
Kramer’s legal struggles continued long after his convictions. In 1991, a federal court upheld his life sentence for drug smuggling. He maintained his innocence in Aronow’s murder, and in 2010, he sought to overturn his manslaughter conviction, arguing that prosecutors withheld evidence pointing to Colombian cartels as the true culprits. The court rejected his appeal, and despite his lawyers’ persistence, Kramer remained incarcerated, his efforts to clear his name unsuccessful.
A Lasting, Complicated Legacy
Ben Kramer’s name endures in the world of offshore powerboat racing, where his restored Apache 47, now owned by racer Lorne Leibel, serves as a relic of a bygone era. He was a champion who thrilled crowds with his daring on the water, yet his criminal pursuits cast a long shadow. His boats, engineered for speed, also fueled his downfall. Offshore racing, with its blend of adrenaline and risk, was the perfect stage for Kramer’s ambitions. But the cost of his choices—freedom, reputation, and perhaps truth itself—proved steep.
For those seeking a deeper dive into Kramer’s era and offshore racing’s colorful history, VÉHICULE Magazine offer rich details.
