Drove a 2003 Sonic 386 today w/ 525s and ITS!!
 

Twin 525EFIs
ITS drives
Vacuum Bagged hull (new to Sonics)
Loaded less the generator

Boat runs 80-82GPS. We were right at 80 today with 3 guys and half bag of gas in 1-1.5 footers.

This is a PHENOMINAL BOAT. The new hull process and overall redistribution of weight on the big Sonics is fantastic. My Sonic always has the nose in the air. This boat never once raised the bow, even when trimming the drives out. I never touched the K-planes. When you trimmed out the drives, it just went faster. Never once felt loose, or light. Drives were spinning out, and handling around the docks was excellent, even in the tight confines of Red Eyes Dock Bar. Handling was amazing. It turned like it was on rails at 65-70 mph. This is not a stepped boat, and it never felt light. It stuck like glue in the corners.

The new 525s are AMAZING! I am SO JEALOUS over my 500EFI. The motors are more crisp, more responsive, and more smooth over the entire throttle range; not to mention the power increase.

Thank you everyone at Offshore Performance; very much; for the hospitality at the Open House. These bunch of folks are truly top notch. Expanding boat lines and expanding facilities are in the very, very, new feature. Couple that with the new changes to the Cigarette and Sonic boat lines, (yes, Sonic has surprises coming at Miami!!); Bill Proctor and his bunch are going to be a force to be reckoned with for a long time!

The new 525s are AMAZING! I am SO JEALOUS over my 500EFI. The motors are more crisp, more responsive, and more smooth over the entire throttle range; not to mention the power increase.


is reaily a big difference between 500efi and 525 ?!? may be the difference (weight ,hull design etc) of the boat made you feel like that?

Brian, you lucky dog:D

That is great the Sonic is running that fast, seems competive now even being a bigger style than most the rest. My friend that had a 35fountain and sold it last year, had twin 500efi's and he ran 84.

Brian, that new boat sounds awesome! I've been anxious to hear how the 525's were going to perform. I forgot about the Open House today...I'm kicking myself right now :mad:
Is an upgrade in the near future for you? ;)

I honestly can't compare power to power between a 500EFI and 525 EFI, (my boat is a single 500EFI, and this boat is a twin 525EFI), BUT here is what I was told today, by Hugh:

Hugh met with the Mercury Racing reps at the Donzi dealer's meeting a few weeks ago. This is an exact quote; per hand gestures; by the MR rep:

"If the difference between the HP500EFI and the HP525EFI is this much:
-->l_______________l<--
the difference between the 525EFI and the 575SC is this much:
-->l_______l<-- "

Translated per Hugh, the 525EFI is really making around 550HP at the crank. The notion is these things are so close to the 575SC already, why would some folks go for the 575SC now? To have turnkey reliable, NON BLOWN power, and save youself 15 grand a motor; why not go with 525EFIs. The word from MR is the 500EFI will be available for AT LEAST another year from today. Is MR looking to condense their lineup a bit? Who knows, but I bet they are going to watch the sales graphs VERY closely for the next year, and see what normal 500EFI and 575SC purchases are trending toward the HP525EFI. They put a lot of work into this motor, and you can tell that before you even engage the starter. The 525s are everything I mentioned above. They are super smooth. You plant the sticks and the tachs stay there. Every little MM of movement in the stick can be seen in the tach. My 500EFI is not that responsive. The 500EFI is not obsolete however; the 525EFI IMHO, nicely compliments it.

Mark, we ran some numbers. We will have to see where cards fall. I have a LOT of things going on right now. I am going straight for a 35-38 foot boat next, so we will have to see when my checkbook is ready to match my aspirations. I purposely over-trucked for what I need right now, to get me by for a bigger boat.

Brian, that sounds cool!! Good luck. I hope you can pul it together. Then you'll have to tow that badboy over to Lake Michigan next summer.

Troutly,
Sticker:__$275,XXX.XX-ish, without a trailer.
Check your PM.

catmando,
Richard Hewitt is the President, and I met him in Annapolis. This has to be the nicest guy in executive boating that I have ever met. He and I have talked on the phone once or twice since we met, and how often do you get to do that with the President of a company? The 45 with the new hull and the 825 Diesels has not even been completely dialed in yet. That is how busy they are down there building boats, and *new stuff*. I can't wait for their show-buster(s) in Miami this year.

This is the boat:
(Thanks Strike for the pic.)

The boat is already on its way to the Fort Lauderdale show. I am not sure I am going to own this boat when I am ready anyhow; but I am quite confident the 2003+ 386 is now in the running.

Jay Ross is the HMFIC for all of operations. I am not sure what his title is, but he runs the factory and factory sales from my understanding.

nice boat excellent paint!

Sydwayz
Here is one of the Pics I took at the Annapolis Show, That was an impressive boat!! I'll bet it was quite the ride.....:D :D

I got some pics of it too ..

Sydwayz does this look familiar ..

and what really matters ...

Pretty nice way to spend a quarter million!

It 'chore' does! Those Gaffrig controls are fantastic.

Hey Sydawayz, I just signed a Contract for the same 386. I attached a mock up of the color scheme. Was the sea trial fresh or salt? Gotta know. I am very excited. I have posted a pic of the old one right after this. I think you may have seen it before on an OSO post.:cool: :D

And here is the old One

TOO PHAT Looney Tune!! That paint is RIGHTEOUS!! This was salt/Chesapeake Bay with 1-1.5s. I can't wait

Syd-do you think that the boat will do 80-81 GPS on the freshwater here on Lake Michigan.:confused:

Absolutely. You will need to get it into 3 footers to air it out.

Looney Tune,
Congratulations! I love the graphics. When does she go into production? Are you going to have the factory send you update photos so we can all watch the progress?

Dan

That will be easy for Eliot. He loves to fly his SONIC! :D

Sydwayz,

Awesome!


My "first" favorite boat was a Sonic. I don't have a clue as to length (possible 38' or 40'), but it was green (yes, green) with a radar arch. It was the pace boat at the races in Corpus Christi about 10 years ago. :D

Dan, the boat is in production. I will try to get Jay to snap some pohtos. I told Mark Miller from GSC that he can show the boat at the Chicago show.:D

Nice looking boat Sydwayz, love the paint fades and graphics, do you have any cabin shots.:D

I forgot my camera when I went to the show. The boat has a Sony Explode stereo system, integrated with a DVD and 15 inch flat screen. Full head that I can nearly stand up in, pump-out; forward v-berth without a convert-sleeper to make the couches into a bed, (optional). Microwave, heat, a/c, hot and cold water, transom shower, were also included. The interior is predominately white, (way I like 'em), with yellow, red, and orange accents; and red carpet. The boat is currently at the Fort Lauderdale show. If anyone gets to the show, take some shots for the masses so show off what Jay and Richard have been up to!

Here is a look at the cabin. These pics were sent to me by Jay.:cool:

Cabin:D

I rode on crazy gregg's 386 in feb. and was very impressed with they way it handled the inlet in fort lauderdale, and they don't take it easy on it.

Ike, what year is Crazy Greg's 386?

I think it's a 02.

Here's a shot of it. And that is the truth, These guys run the chit out of it!! :p :D

Looney Tune,
The boat looks great. I guess you will be protecting it personally at the show? "Hey, do I have to take off my boots?" “Can my six kids play on your boat?” :p :D
Dan

If you wear boots ONLY, I will not be at the boat Show:p :D ;)

R Addiction the boat looks awesome. It looks like a 42 with that arch. How fast with what power?:cool: