Sonic Quality
 

Been looking some sonic boats don't know the company very well looking for some advice on them

Re: Sonic Quality
 

Depends on the year. Up until 2003, the boats were GREAT quality. Jay Ross and team built a HELLUVA boat. In 2003 a new owner took over, and things went downhill for about a year or two. Some 2003 and 2004 boats took some quality hits as the new vacuum bagging process came up to par. Most of the boats that I know of that had issues, have been corrected, and are fine. Most issues had to do with the fiberglass/gel being to thin in some areas; and everything I ever saw/heard about was cosmetic. 2005 and 2006 boats are better.

The couple brand new boats that are now built under the new-new ownership; CSIMarine, seem to be doing well, but no one is hearing much from them lately. They build the Mares Cat under the Sonic badge now, and Dakota Center Consoles, and a few other boats, including SonicUSA are under the CSIMarine umbrella. They did a big Poker Run Public Relations tour this year with the new maroon/silver 42SS that is in the OSO classifieds.

What size are you looking at? There are other brands that offer the same ammenities, same and better quality, in the same size boats. Sonics are traditionally a big heavy boat for their size. Most ride much smoother than many boats in the same size category due to the heavier weight. This also tends to make them a bit slower when equally powered.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

looking for something in the 38 ft range have 30ft now with twin 502s run low 80s don't want to sac. speed like to do more boating on the great lakes

Re: Sonic Quality
 

I'm not looking to start any troubles but from what I have seen the Sonics don't ride very well. Every poker run I have been on rough or flat I have seen the Sonics porpous real bad.
Just my .02

Re: Sonic Quality
 

In the past when I looked hard at them and visited the factory (1997-2001) they were very nice stout boats. Not fast boats but had a great style and well built. The boat this last year that was at the Miami showhad some wavy in the gel. Everytime I walked by it I thought WOW that is some wavy looking hull sides and deck.
As far as new boats go I believe Sonic and Baja are the only ones building a traditional deep V in the 38 foot range.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

You're gonna' need 525's to do 80 in a Sonic 386, but that boat will go thru almost anything you'll want it to. Find Quiet Storm here on the board...he's spent alot of time running his boat in fun conditions. Many boats porpoise in poker-runs because of the tendancy for the operator to over-trim trying to get the last mph. Some Sonic models (358 especially) are very trim- sensative at average cruising speeds/ flat water.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

top bannana charlie mc carthy designed and built the 38 that he raced as top bannana, he sold the molds to sonic, they added a swim platform and called it a 41.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

I was given a brand new 35 Sonic with 525's year before last to use in a fun run and get the boat out and give it some exposure from a local dealer that we trade with.

Nice boat, we ran it all day long, but the best we could get out of it was 81 on the speedo. Low fuel, four people and cool air temps. I think it may take more then 525's in a 38 to hit 80 MPH.

It was a very nice boat, but the cockpit was tight and the ride was not nearly as good as we were use to in our 36 Outlaw. It was a fun boat to drive, but just felt light.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

This was the problem I had with my 42SS, at moderate cruising speeds it would porpoise. It did rough water ok but then I went to a smaller boat a 37 A.T. which was better in all categories. To prove my point on a PR a close friend has a 45 with trips, and running side by side with the A.T. crew this was evident again, but I happened to be on the outside looking at it vs 2 other 37 A.T.s. running along side of it. If you are looking for a excellent boat for the value look at the 37.A.T. If you are looking for even a better ride and a little more cockpit room than the 386 Sonic, 5'10" headroom below, excellent quality take a look at the Nortech 39. It is a step above but costs a little more as expected. Good luck on your search, :cool: Jeff

Re: Sonic Quality
 

What I found with the 35 we drove is that is did not like trim, not nearly as much trim as I was use to with my 36 Outlaw.

Once I figured that out and did not over trim the porpous was gone. Then above 65 MPH I trimmed it all the way to get max speed and it did fine.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

The porpoise on some Sonic models has to do with the notched transom. Its an effort to get somewhat of a standoff box effect of getting the props in cleaner water.

The Sonic bounce explained:
The boat gets up on plane, and starts to transfer weight to the back of the hull. When the boat searches for the last bit of hull, its not there, and the bow drops. This then repeats and becomes a porpoise. This can be fixed by knowing where and how far to trim the drives and tabs. Some of the boats had the notch taken out (or filled back in to correctly explain) to help this issue.

Sonics take a beating in forums and get bad reputation for this, but it just takes a bit of seat time to get comfortable. My 26' would do it on occaision. A lot of 358s have issues with this. It all depends on the load you are carrying, the water conditions, the fuel, etc. With a little seat time, it works out. The boats REALLY do handle rough water well. I was in some pretty nasty water with my 26' Sonic.

bblythe,
Since your are new to the forum, you have not heard some of us 'cheerleaders'. I will spare the other folks and not even say the _____ _______ 2 words, but take a look at this thread, and let me know if I can answer any questions. Jay Ross, who started SonicUSA is now one of the HMFICs of building these boats:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...oker+run+recap

Brian Tillett
btcomm500(a)aol.com
http://members.cox.net/activethunder37/photo.htm

Re: Sonic Quality
 

I was there for that poker run in a 30 ft profile got the snot knocked out of us

Re: Sonic Quality
 

:D I hope met while was up there. I was in Monsoon. Drove in from VA just long enough to do the PR, and drove back.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

I have a customer that has a 01 358 with 500efi's the boat had like a 100 hours on it and the dash was all stress cracked and it porposes alot. if your looking for a tall deck boat take a look at a 40 hustler they ride awsome and have all the ammentaties

Re: Sonic Quality
 

it's kind of funny how all the active thunder guy's want to compare there stepp and pad bottom boat with a sonic ..of course the active will be faster .but for all around safty i would would rather have a straight 24 or 25 degree deedrise boat and loose the 7 or 8 mph ..
my 2cents ..i think there both great boats. but diffrent peaple have diffrent needs...
you have to feel comfortable in what boat you drive and not worry about the guy next door..diffrent strokes for diffrent fokes..

peace out
:) :)

Re: Sonic Quality
 

My 386 will start to porpoise a little on flat water around 43-46 mph. When it does, I just drop the drives in more or use some tab if I want to maintain that speed. Usually I just speed up to 50+ and it goes away.

The boat is heavy and with the conventional hull slower than many in flat water but makes up for it in the rough. I have always felt very safe in this boat even in bad conditions.

They do require a good bit of power to get them to perform well. At 550 hp each I felt that my 575EFi's weren't quite enough to get the hull to lighten up. At 650 hp they do a much better job.

They aren't the best, they aren't the worst, but they are good, solid, safe and roomy boats.

Re: Sonic Quality
 

I have had my Sonic for years and love the boat and the way it runs but its time to let it go so if your looking for one heres one for you. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...DME:B:EF:US:11

Re: Sonic Quality
 

hOW FAST is the Sonic? And does it Flounder down the Bay?

How does it fare when you are pulling Bass up on the cockpit rug? Oh yeh and don't forget the blood from the Blue Fish.. But that all came out with bleech right!!! :D :evilb: :D

Re: Sonic Quality
 

Sydwayz....I'll say it for ya...ACTIVE THINDER. bblythe, do your self a favor and take a real hard look at Active Thunder. :D

Re: Sonic Quality
 

:D :D :D :D