Sonic 358
 

Guys
I recently purchased an 05 Sonic 358 with 496 HO/Mags that are turning Bravo 1 26P props. What props are my sonic 358 brothering running with the same power? I have the dreaded porpoise problem with these props. I read that some 358 owners are switching to Hydromotive P-5X (5 blade props) to create stern lift to help solve the porpoise issue.

any help with my questions will be greatly appreciated

Mike P.:D

Ditch the Bravo's go to labbed Hydro's. My friends 358 was downright scary with Bravo's. Hydro's work much better. Get them tuned for as much stern lift as possible.

The porpoise will never go away..sorry.

However it is very very easily corrected with trim...so essentially your boat is a drivers boat without the blistering speed .

All that said......I loved mine. Big boat, mid 70's (mine low cause of 24 pitch), best cabin, build like a brick, and loves the snot.

Enjoy her

Both of my friends porpoise bad, they tried lots of props, helped a little, still have to drag tab.

Nate
Thanks for your reply, are you running the Hydro P-5X props? I'm thinking of going with the P-5X's @ 25pitch. Yeah I agree I need to trim but as of now I have to run with Drives full down and Tabs @ #4 on the guag to keep from bouncing across the water. I want to be able trim my drives out some and use tabs to get the boat onto and flat for a good smooth cruising speed @40-45 MPH. Not interesting in top speed, 358's are awesome boat, I get lots of comments on how good an 11 year old boat looks, There's a local boat just like your for sale in my area with 500HP's.

offshoreexcursion

Thanks for you info, I'll always put some tab to ensure a smooth ride for the wife unit.

:party-smiley-004:

I have a set. PM if interested

Captain Caveman, your inbox is full, email me at [email protected] thanks, Keith

:party-smiley-004:

All fixed

You likely will not be able to dial it out completely. Remember, these boats were designed to run optimal in rough water, not flat. Not sure if your 35 has the notch in the transom or not, but some have filled theirs in with better results out of the hull. The 358 and 28SS both suffered from this problem, as they were originally dammed molds from the 386 and 31SS. The lifting strakes were designed for the longer boats, and hence were not ideal for shorter versions of the hull. Coupled with the notched transom on many of the boats, the hull just isn't ideal to support itself consistently in FLAT water; which induces the porpoise.

sydwayz

Thanks for your input, my boat doesn't have the notched transom so I'm going to try the Hydromotive P-5X 24 pitch props to get the transom up a bit to help reduce some, not all the porpoise. I'll drag some tab to help my boat to stop bouncing so bad. Anything is better than what I have to do now, I'm just burning fuel like crazy slamming my drives all the way in and tabs 3/4 down to get on plane. My new props should be in on Monday but I'm out of town working until Wednesday. So it looks like either Thursday or Friday until I can do a test run to see if I made and improvement.

thanks again for your input

Mike P.

Mine was always a whore to get on plane no matter what prop

Nate5.0

I feel your pain, but hopefully it will be a lot less after this prop swap!

Prop swap/prop test went great!! I'm able to trim out the drives but I'm still learning what this boat needs to find the sweat spot for both drives & tabs so I can achieve a comfortable ride and good fuel burn. The porpoise is a lot easier to control and eliminate then before. Now I'm dealing with the dreaded falling head liner in the cabin!!! Got my quote today a full removal top/sides down to the side seats.......$4500.....OUCH!!!!! I was able talked him down to 4K cash! I know this is an issue with the 358 after 10 years, needs to be done if for some reason I need to unload this boat. The Hydromotive props were a blessing for this boat, thanks for all the inputs I received from forum members.

Mike P.

i had my props worked and added cup. im running 24s though. helped alot with the cavitation coming out of the hole and i gained a bunch of cruise, i can now run high 20s on plane. what are you doing with those 26s??

D_Max400

After my success with my Hydromotive 24 props I'm going to sell them. I had them checked and polished at the local prop shop in town, no need to keep them, I'm happy with my new props. If you kow anybody that might be interested I can send pic's all cleaned up in boxes.

Mike P.