24' Sonic twin o/b resto
 

A yr and a 1/2 in and finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
Added the huge transom knees that all these boats desperately need, a sun lounge and some storage bellow.
So far have completely rebuilt/painted trailer, the fiberglass set back bracket, built two motors, and painted the hull. Oh, and been collecting props ;) All outside in the Florida heat. I'm on an acre with woods/swamp on 2 sides so the bugs will carry you away!
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Congrats Gary! I know it's been a long time and a lot of work, but you will really have something there. Especially since your familiar with the hull and it characteristics. Bob

Looks nice.

Congrats, Now get that thing running so we can go for a ride when it warms up.

Thanks guys.
Bob, your boat is still on the short list.
Big, I see you own a 28' Pantera. I was in their shop a few yrs back when they were just finishing a twin O/B 28' resto. that sold cheap. Loved it and had I been there a couple wks earlier I'd now own it.
Rick, next hurdle is motivation to squirt the deck. Sick of the groid work and want to start rigging.

I explained (via p.m.) to some one else about this boat that when I bought my first 24' Sonic I had parameters that basically said:
1. Must be scary fast. (it's all relative)
2. Towed by a regular vehicle.
3. Motors able to be maintained by me.
4. Decent on gas.
5. Able to be single handed.
6. Sit up head room bellow deck.
7. Big cabin for REAL weekending.

Take the above into consideration and find ANYTHING else capable of filling in the blanks that's not a 30' O/B or 28' plus I/O which both take out at least 1/2 the above goals and is one of the reasons I liked the first one so much.
That being said........., if some one built a better mouse trap (they do), and could get me financed (doubt it) while filling in the rest of the blanks....., I'd be on my way!
Went all through the Miami show last yr telling the wife the same and we were safe until hitting the Velocity booth :o Only builder I saw there (or talked to) that I would have even considered ordering a new hull from.(would have done it if they had financing there)
In the mean time, grind, grind, grind, grind. Oh yeah, repeat.

Looks great, Gary! It's good to see you another OB Sonic.

If I can help you with cables, gauges adn rigging, let me know. I like projects and will help you out.

[email protected]

Kirk

Thanks guys. Can't wait to be done. Grand Bahama Island, 54 mls away and waiting ;)
Elite, thanks for the offer. I have most of what I need and accounts for everything else. (I think ;) )

I am following you, 3 motors are better than 1:evilb:

I know what it is to re-do a boat from scratch but at the end of the day it's all worth it. Boat is coming out awesome. Did I hear Bahamas ? I'm in

Pictures look great ! Do you have a projected speed ? How much gas do you carry ? Cruising the BAHAMAS would be great W / O/B ! "HIGH LIFE"

Yep.......
 

I previously had an identical boat to this one.Owned it 7 yrs and with similar power. I built these motors and hot rodded them a bit while still trying to keep them as fuel efficient as possible and able to run on low octane fuel.
The boat carries 89 gls of fuel so I have to plan my trips as I end up w/a range of about 100 mls if I'm nice to it. Problem is I always end up in some nice water in part of the trip and economy goes straight in the toilet. The old boat spent it's life in Lake Erie and every weekend I could afford it I'd leave south shore of lake around Marble Head and head to Leamington Ontario on north shore. That trip was about 45 mls each way and I'd make it back to the trailer w/between 1/8 and 1/4 tank if I was being nice.
I will be taking jerry cans of fuel w/me to Grand Bahamas ;)
The old boat ran right at 80 when all was well and I'm hoping for similar w/this one.
I think I saw you post on S/F and said your boat runs 80 w/twin 300X's. If that was you, can you post or link to some pix's of your boat?? Love to see it.
Here's a picture of this boat at about 67 before being stripped and gutted.

Rick, that trip is a large reason of why we live here and agreed.

Premier, thanks and yes. I've been researching it for a while. Our target is West End of Grand Bahamas Island. Closest point as a crow flies and I think has everything we're looking for which is: beach, marina w/shower & restroom and tiki bar/restaurant. We are going to fly or cruise over to do a recon mission before going by boat. We weekended on the old boat up north and will do same down here. We have everything aboard to do 2 or 3 days on the hook before needing to hit land for provisions. I don't like nor need the plush marinas for what I'm into. I built the boats new sun lounge big enough to hold a 8' inflatable and already have the motor for it. We also carry 2 fold up bicycles which save you a ton over renting a golf cart or car especially over there. We almost did our recon mission a couple weeks ago and a rental car on Grand Bahamas was over $125. for a day!

i'll be down for that trip when i finish putting my boat back together

Cool.
 

Safety in #'s. My issue has always been finding like minded boaters w/similar rigs in the way of performance etc. When up north almost all our trips were solo as all my friends would hit the close islands that were only a couple mls offshore saving their rigs and a ton of money. Or they were trailerable cruisers that cruised at 30. My boat will stay on plane at 30 but it's a pig. Normally ended up being chief navigator/leader too so they could follow and (drink) not take any responsibility in knowing where they were going etc, etc. Did one trip where part of the group decided to wait until the next day to follow us to Pelee Island in Canadian water of Erie where none of them had ever been before. We were all (that came over the day before) drinking coffee on our boats at Pelee the next morning listening to them on ship to shore trying to figure out where they were. They got me on the radio to ask for directions. They thought they were beside Pelee and when I asked them which side they were on they replied "the left side" :lolhit: Then one of them bumped their kill switch shutting down their motor and the panicked captain then got on the radio calling "may day, may day" to which the Coast Guard immediately responded to!
Best part was realizing the entire marina was listening after hearing them laugh at parts of the broadcast :lolhit:
2nd thing is finding someone that actually thinks it's fun to stay on their boat and at anchor. I remember one time making breakfast on the beach w/my portable propane grill. Was making the Mrs. eggs, potatoes, ham, toast and of course coffee when a guy and his wife walked up to chat. They were anchored just down from us on a 45' Sea Ray. Guy looked at his wife then to me and says, "I had cold cereal this morning" and walked away ;)
For this trip another issue would be having too big of boats also. What's snotty for a 24' Sonic ain't for a 40' Fountain.
Florida Power Boat Club does an annual trip but only boats either 28 or 30 and bigger are invite which I understand.
Haven't put all the logistics together yet but working on it. So far gas looks to be the biggest issue and expense. Next would be water. Thinking probably 2 or 3 5 gl jerry cans of gas and one for water. Once to West End it looks to be pretty well protected from there east and has many, many local islands to explore.
I have a chart and have been studying it.
Figure a week would be OK if weather was good but 2 would be better just in case.
Normally we do 2 nights on the hook and then get dock at a nice marina for hot showers etc on the 3rd day then repeat. I have a solar heated, camping shower also.
Long ways off but fun planning.

Only thing I cant do on that list is stay on the boat, wife wont go unless she has a bed, maybe I'll leave her home:drink:

We need to talk cuz.......
 

if done right she won't let you take the boat out unless you do stay on it!
You have to plan for it, pack for it, have good weather etc, etc.
But IF you do things right....., watch out! Here's the scenario, You have everything packed, watched the weather forecast, know where you're going, get there early so you can spend the day on the beach (needs to be semi private) in the sun.
Serve her already made sandwich's for lunch while still hanging out on the beach.
Then at dinner time fire up a grill (if you have room for it) or another pre-prepared meal but a nicer one.
At this point it's turning to evening and everyone/almost else will leave. Now you guys are by your self on the beach/boat and watch the sun set w/your favorite adult beverage.
Put on her favorite beach music and if you brought a fine cigar, now's the time. Now you're both in the mood, she's blown away by you having your **** together, how well you ran the boat, etc, etc and thinks you're a stud. Well you know what happens next. The cuddy cabin with the bow hatch open, in the moon light , or on the beach,.....ROCK STAR SEX!
Serve breakfast and coffee the next morning to seal the deal.
I sold a 32' sedan flybridge to buy my 1st Sonic. The Mrs at the time was used to blow dryers and curling irons kind of thing.
She never looked back.
Course it could just be me ;)

Twin O/B Sonic, Yes, I have a MAGNUM Sedan w/ twin 300X's. Pictures are on Donzi.net, talk about other boats, Rescued Mag Sports, post #87 & #90. Re: gas tanks, I have 2-50 gal. tanks under cockpit floor & 2-32 gal. tanks where the motors were aft to transom, 164 gal total... for the longer cruises. "HIGH LIFE"

My wife grew up in Boca, nuff said:lolhit: Besides, no hatches in my deck:drink:

can't find...
 

your rig. Can you post a link?
Just saw the other sedan for sale and I really like it. Do you have pix's of the cabin on yours??

Hey Gary!!!
We were in sarasota last week and thinking of you. I'll be a retired fireman in 6mo and 26 days. I still wanna do Bimini!
New motors in the Velocity this year and didn't get her splashed till late Oct. Got 79.2mph till we ran outa lake at Salt Fork doing a 50mph 180* turn between the ski and no wake bouys. Only 8-9hrs on them yet... She'll run solid 80s.

Pulled drives today and motors comming back out for check up cuz I can... That's how I winterize. :)
Fresh shortblocks w/new Aluminum heads this time.

Cant post pics here but
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Can't wait to see you again... I know you'll be up here sooner or later and we'll to Buckeye and Erie. Then I'll be down in the fall and make the Bahama run w/ya Bro!

Mark & Becky

Awesome!
 

Boat looked (set) great and motors sounded healthy! Good job.
Always liked that boat. We are coming up for Christmas and if funds allow, we are going to Port Clinton for the Walleye Drop on new years eve. (because we can ;) )
Still working on logistics for a 2nd boat staying in Cols for us to fly up and use on weekends in the big lake. (and Buckeye to hook up w/friends and family) Had a Mako walk around cuddy down here all set to go north until I decided it was just too much of a pig to do what I want up there :) Sold it and lived on profits and funded Sonic project until that ran out (last week!). Time to go back out digging for funds. 15% unemployment rate where we're at so no real jobs even exist. Congrats on your quickly approaching retirement!
We almost went to Grand Bahamas Island for Cheryls B.Day a month ago to start our re-con missions. There is a small cruise ship that runs out of Ft. Lauderdale that is cheap but we wimped out and went to the Keys instead!
The water/boating is big fun down here but a good weekend (weather and nothing breaks) on Buckeye or Erie is still top of my list. Remember being back visiting and telling some of the locals you don't even realize how lucky and spoiled you are with what you have right there.
When up there I always felt the need to tow 3 hrs and run a 100 gls gas through the old Sonic to consider it a good weekend. Now I look back at my friends that towed 30 mins to Buckeye and went through 30 gls gas and wonder who the smart ones were ;) Or for some reason not being able to spend the weekend at the Casino 10 mins from the trailer instead of tearing stuff up every weekend having to go "across".
Great hearing from you and seeing your progress on the boat. We'll hook up soon. We have family that goes to trivia night at Papa Boo's every week and try to hook up for that when in town.

Gary,

Keep us posted on your trip to the Bahama's, we bought a diesel dually last fall and it's sitting in the garage pointed south, just waiting. We have also been looking into the Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas, for the same type of trip. Get that Sonic together.....

Dd

Excellent.
 

We have been looking at that trip too.

Ready for paint if....
 

the freagin weather would cooperate! Was ready to spray the deck Thursday until the temperature dropped 25* in an hr!! 48* and blowing now! Any luck at all I'll have to wait long enough that all the masking tape will weld itself to the boat!
Picture of the corner area is where all the 24's flex/crack. Not a straight line anywhere and a pain in the ass to get right. I cut the entire area out and rebuilt it w/glass. Got more hrs in those two corners than any where else in the boat!
Cockpit floor and bilge/sun lounge is done and painted.
Lets get this damn party started already!

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Gary,

What year is your Sonic? I built the first two 24' with bracketed outboards. One w/ 235 Johnsons, the other with 225 mercs.. both with Gil brackets... 1982/83. Both were sold through "Full Tilt" marine in Baltimore, Md. We did the first u-shaped seating for the rear of aft of the boat.

T

Looks great Gary,
I'll be a retired fireman in 4 months and 22 days. We may be spending October thru December in Sebring this winter. Working on a gig for the state park. 4 half days work a week and free RV lot. Could end up there thru March. Highlands Hammock. 45 miles from Lake O.
Still in for the Bahama Mama run!
Mark and Becky

Make sure to let me know when you are comming north too. Big Lake or our lil mud hole party pond.

I had one of those and loved it.

Twin O/B Sonic, Very busy in Ma. plowing snow... can't wait to splash the MAGNUM O/B in the spring ! Now that my 2 children are out of college I can concentrate on long cruises + Poker Runs, plan on racing in the " Around Long Island " race in Sept. I also have researching a cruise to the BAHAMAS, allready bought charts ! PM your phone # Michael "HIGH LIFE"

Thnx guys!
Mark, not like you're counting or anything ;) Sebring is about 2 hrs from here. Actually got a puppy from their pound for the Mrs and bought a bike from there. We have room in our yard for your RV.
You can see the sun come up over the Intercoastal at the end of our street. One of the best little towns in Fla for water and Tiki Bars ;)
Keep me posted w/your schedule. Been wanting to go for the 12 hrs of Sebring but don't have the $$ for this one.

T- this one's an '85 and had a '84 while up in Ohio. Both had the old tube style Gill brackets befire I re-rigged them.


Ron, great picture. Didn't even recognize it as a Sonic w/the bow rail. I really like it though. Have been off the front of mine more than once! Once at night at anchor in 3' waves!

Michael, excellent! Will do.

Finally.......

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Looks great

Looks great! I love these old twin OB Sonics. There was one at the marina where we kept our boat when I was a kid. I have been following your progress here and on S&F - great job!

Yeah that boat is looking really nice. If you havent had a OB boat before your really gonna love the extra cockpit space it give you.
you spend most of your time inthe cockpit so to me thats where you want plenty of room to move around especially when rafted up.


The signiture is kick ass too. Anything you build yourself is a winner if it even comes close to competing with professionally built stuff. If it beats it, well then you can really hold your head high.

Nice!

My arms hurt after looking at all that labor

Now imagine your 24 as a center console. I did 3 of these my self. First 24 CC went to Claude Tubianna.. had a single 200 black max.. boat was eventually sold to Eric Froberg.

Second was a 24 with a single 330 TRS.. called Das Boot.. I delivered personally to the buyer in Long Island.. Great running boat but when Jay and I tested her the back of your pants got wet from the back splash as you slowed down... the aft seat was right there over the engine comp..

Third was rigged with gil brackets and 200 mariners... I delivered the boat to the port of Jax and from there she went to Bermuda.. Still there as far as I know. we did a small cuddy in the fwd bow with a one off bulkhead.

The 24 is a great stable platform for a cc. I always wished Sonic would do a 31 CC with that extended hull..

Hah, funny ;)
 

The final three days were hell. Two extra strength Tylenol twice a day (still sore):lolhit: The 4th day I drank the 1st half and slept the second!
Between fighting the cold mornings (deck covered in dew), waiting for it to warm up, watching the trees start to move (while block sanding w/a file board) as the wind picks up at the exact same time as the temp. warms, to my air line blowing a hole in itself blowing leaves all over fresh paint, me using one arm to hold on to the frame for the shelter/roof so I could hang over the deck far enough (while standing tippy toe on one foot on scafolding) w/the other arm to be able to reach the middle of the deck w/the spray gun etc, etc.
Funniest part was deciding I could spray the middle area of the front deck from the bow hatch cut outs while standing bellow until I masked the holes off (not thinking) and then realizing what I'd done and was no way it'd work anyhow ;)
The good is I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel and just came back from the Miami Show and like this boat better than anything there.
If I could find investors I'd love to splash this boat and build them right. Talking with boat building friends that went to the show with me we think using current building technology we could cut 1000 - 1500lbs off the hull weight. I think done right you'd probably have a 60+ MPH rig w/a single D.I. 2 stroke O/B or a mid 90's rocket ship w/twins.
Painted the windshield today and will mount it tomorrow. I think the black windshield and rub rail will really make the white pop.
I may float it for pictures after that. Would make a great screen saver/motivator.
Thanks for the compliments guys. Definitely helps.

Would be...
 

killer! I've thought of it before. As well as the old boat ran as much fun as it was to drive fast..........., a CC would be an absolute blast.

Stumbled across this picture tonight. Pretty good before Vs after contrast.

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TS, How much can you take out before the ride will suffers ? "HIGH LIFE"