Sonic 27' Outboards
 

Looking to find outif anyone has some information on Sonic's out board configuration, It has twin 225 Johnsons, trying to get any info on it.

The 27’ outboard is a rare find and may have the engines mounted directly to the transom or on a GIL tubular brackets. If it is an early 90’s boat it may have a Stainless Marine bracket. Post up some pics. With 225’s it will be a low 60mph boat at best. Cool find.

Sonic 27 Outboards
 

Thank you for the information, I'm going to look at it on Monday
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...80759df261.jpg

Wow, never seen an OB Sonic W/the splash well.

I had two 24’ twin OBs but boat w/flat transoms.

Great all around boats but as the first Sonic salesman I talked to told me, “beware, they are drivers boats”.

But that was only true on top due to their round keels snd not having a real pad.

Cool boat.

The motors are direct injected Fichts.
Have them gone through.

Lots of hate out there for them but if solid, w/good gas n oil, they are great motors.

looking forward to more pics.

Second guessing myself now…..

Thinking I saw 28’s w/splashwells.

Almost bought one with V-8 Rudes on it and thinking it may have had one.

Was also educated by the Sonic historians that a lot of the 28’s - 32’s were the same boats just had different marketing??

If you decide not to purchase the boat, please post a link to the for sale ad. Thanks.

Sonic 27' Outboards
 

I'm 90% sure I'm going to buy it. But I will let everyone know. Please keep any information coming that can help. I can't seem to find much info on this particular set-up. What was the max outboard power these would handle?

The 24’s had a design flaw in how they used the rear seat bases to reinforce the transom.

Yours has a different lay out so probably not an issue.

Worst case would be adding reinforcing knees.

That being done, it’s screaming for a pair of 450R’s.

Those motors are 550 lbs per, meaning you can get to 300 HP w/new motors at similar weight.

Thats a net gain of 150 HP w/no weight penalty.

One negative to those motors though, they’re basically worthless for retail.

If both are solid, w/motor specific rigging, you might get $2500 - $4k for everything.

sonic
 

i was a sonic dealer for jay back in the day, we had a 24 with 200 mercury's , ran good in rough water and a handful in came water , as that was a copy of a 24 donzi , had a rounded bottom . that 27 was a different boat then the 24 .

Here’s one of my 24’s.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a27d49ef7.jpeg

Sonic 27' Outboard
 

Did the 24's have the O/B's mounted right on the transom?

No, they used tubular GIL brackets back in the day. Good for a few years then they rotted way at the plate that was bolted to the transom. Jay used 5200 to seal them. What a joy to remove them. :D

Outboards
 

I'm sorry to ask this many questions but my experience with bigger boats has been I/O's.in the past. what difference is there in the mounting configuraion on the 27's? I have had outboards on the last 3 boats I had and they really grew on me so this will be a something new for me with the Twin O/B, but well worth trying in my opinion.

Yeah, my first one taught me all I needed to know about 5200!

Ugh.

The new 4 strokes have changed what you can do w/an OB performance hull.

Similar rigging, way easier to get to the motors.

Do your homework on required maint if buying new though.

The shops love them 😉

The 450 weighs 700lbs. The 300 weighs 550 and possibly less in some configurations.

Buy the boat, see if you enjoy it as is. If so, repower with some Merc 300’s and don’t look back. That should get you to the low 80’s mark. That is the limit for the hull safely. Enjoy.

Not to booger up this thread but I know they built 28’s w/twin IO’s of similar weight and I think a couple guys had there’s into low 80’s???

27 Sonic
 

Looked at the boat today, definately buying it.did a compression test and one of the cylinders on the port motor only had 50 lbs of comprssion in it. just for argument sake whats a good price for the boat if I figure on a power head for that motor. The rest of the boat is in very good condition, just needs a good cleaning. Has a nice tandem axle trailer with bunks.

Sonic did offer a few outboard configurations back in the day, especially on their smaller hulls like the 21 and 24. Twin 225 Johnsons were a pretty common setup, solid power for the size. If you can get the hull length or model number, it’ll help narrow things down.

I can help you w/info on those motors if you like.

It would become chapters of typing though.

Let me know if interested and Ill PM you my # and Ill be happy to help you.

I like to be into a project like that for the $10 - $15K range if boat, interior and trailer are excellent.
Thats w/motors to sell, figuring their value based on condition.

I have carb'd versions of those same motors on my twin OB 25' Checkmate.

They came from two different fish boats w/terrible compression.

I rolled the dice on them (I know them very well) and got lucky.
After running a ton of Sea Foam through them, compression came back where they should be!

Another point of note is, a complete, carb'd, drop on powerhead will bolt right on that motor!

Sonic 27'
 

Well now I have the real story, went to look at the boat again with the owner. Long story short,the outboards were put on in 2001. They were installed on the boat using a custom Armstrong mounting box. This is actually the first time I was able to talk to him. I had been talking to his son. Both Johnsons were bought new in 2001. I've attached some pictures so now i can figure this mess out with the some help. I bought the boat. the starboard engine definately needs a power head. I believe these are E-tec;s. One of the pictures is of the Hull I.D. So I really have no idea what was originally on the boat for power.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7e9928811f.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9efbd0060a.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9432514abe.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...01784c11b8.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3af055f685.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...055a3cbd13.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...294657ecdb.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3950db68aa.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3db89d4443.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8a26b30956.jpg

So was the transom moved forward and the running surface shortened to accomplish the conversion to O/B's?

27' Sonic
 

I do not believe so, but I will ask. Hopefully some one can decode the Hull I.D.

The HIN might go something like this......?..........( 27 foot ) ( production # 005 ) ( March 9th build date C9 ) ( year 89 )

Very hard to tell but it looks like that bracket is original equipment. Jay Ross did some crazy experiments back in the day. Possibly it was originally started out to be an I/O boat then either Jay or the original buyer changed their plan. You definitely bought a project and hopefully the price you paid reflects that. Unless you can do most of the work yourself you be upside down very quickly with the boat. Keep us posted but do not be discouraged by my comments. When finished it will be a solid performer.
Also like I mentioned early it is also possible the original GIL brackets rotted away thus the need for the Armstrong bracket. Look inside at the transom to see if there are many plugged holes from the “possible” GIL mounting.

27' Sonic
 

I do know the guy I bought it from was the second owner. He had Armstrong build the outboard mounting box. He was trying to remember what type of power was in it. He thought it was some weird configuration, but whatever it was it was blown up, that's the reason for the outboards and Armstrong set-up. I can't seem to find anything on these boats that can tell me what the original make up was of the boat by the Hull I.D. I hate saying this but a car vin. number tells all about the build of it.
As far as price goes $5500. I really hope that wasn't to bad?
It seems to be a cool project and I now actually have the time to work on it. Mechsnically I'm down with what ever I have to do. spent many yesrs as a technician both in the automotive business and a few years in the marine trade.
That being said I really want to thank everyone so far for the help and if possible any suggestions and any more info are very appreciative.
Plan is to have it on the water next year. (fingers crossed),
I'll just keep updating this thread as I move forward.

27 Sonic
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ac7c62cce3.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d71d987af8.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0ef218f467.jpg

So it was just left out in the elements uncovered.........geez what a mess......good luck with the project

27 Sonic
 

I actually pulled the cover off of it, it was torn in a few spots anyways. just filthy, going over it with a power washer and blow everthing out of it, just need to get the hatch open, it's a power hatch (Ugh)

Wow!

You bought a project!

You did good on price though, especially w/an alum trailer.

That bracket is definitely newer than the hull.

You have some detective work ahead of you.

As already posted, get the hatch open and see what’s back there.

Those were inner liner boats so the stringers are basically fiberglass boxes molded into the liner and bonded to the inside of the hull.

The VINs on your motors verify them as ‘2001.

They are Fichts, not E-Tecs.
Totally different motors.

First yr was ‘99.

They are basically carb’d motors that the EPA mandates forced into direct injection.

The throttle bodies are actually the bases from the OEM carbs!

I can pretty much assure you you’ll be on your own as no shops will work on them.

Most hate them!

Got your PM and will send you
my # in a few.

We built very few of these at the factory. We would cut and modify swim platform. Usually a Stainless Marine bracket.
The 24 was the only one with stringers built in to liner , 26 and up were conventional stringers.

To get the hatch open you may have to pull the pins on the rear hinges and lift the hatch from the rear to access the lifting ram pin/bolt. Be careful as the hatch is heavy and may also be “waterlogged.
The batteries may also be under there if you can’t locate them.

Thx for the history lesson.

I always assumed all Sonics were liner boats.



[QUOTE=
The 24 was the only one with stringers built in to liner , 26 and up were conventional stringers.[/QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity were did you find that boat. I lost track of it I beleve it was rigged at Atlantic Outboard and then sat in some guys driveway in Wethersfield for years I would drive by it.

24 Sonic molds were actually the Donzi molds for the 24 Doral (closed deck), and the Pescador (open fish). Open fish deck mold had an insert to convert it to closed deck.

Also since you are in CT check out the outboard Exchange in Waterford CT. The guy has been in busy forever and can help you outr those motors are very picky to get running.

27" Sonic
 

Not sure where the boat was, I actually got it from someone I know. Thanks for the info about Outboard Exchange. Still not sure what I'm going to do about power. Keep going back and forth

27 Sonic
 

quick power wash, still have more but a start
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f52761605c.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3f641de8c1.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a40ec6a51a.jpg

Nice improvement!

I checked w/my E-Tec buddy and he doesn’t have anything.