Sonic 31ss and big water
 

Looking at replacing the formula with possibly a Sonic 31ss. I would like some impute on how the Sonic 31ss handles rough water, ride quality.

Ride quality in any of the Sonics, 26' and up is very impressive for that particular size boat. (I have never been on a 22'.) I currently have a 26', and have been out in real 5-6' Chesapeake Bay waves and rollers, and while not saying I was overly comfortable, I am saying I felt safe, and not scared. All the Sonics feel as though they are at least 2-3 feet longer than they actually are when you put them to the test in bigger water. This is mainly due to their weight, which they are a bit heavier than other comparable sized boats, (not so after 2003 though, the new Infusion layup process reduced the weight, but do not let that discourage you from a 2002 or older), and their traditional deep V, with long strakes. The 31SS is a GREAT boat, and as a matter of fact, it is the best selling model of Sonic's lineup, past & present. If I did not have my heart set on a 37/38 foot boat, I would have traded up to a 31 some time ago. The 31SS will give you many features, amenities, and even the room you do not get on other manufacturer's 35 footers.


This post will probably get moved to the Sonic forum, or you can post there, and get even more information. There was also a side by side comparison to a 32 Fountain, 31 Cig, 312 Forumla, and 31 Sonic last year in Powerboat Magazine, (I believe those specifics to be correct), and the Sonic won hands down.

yes the 31's are a nice sized boat and handle the ruff stuff well, I been looking at them. But since I dropped a load on the current boat , I will be waiting a few years.

Love mine! What do you consider "Big" water??? Bigger is always better in rough water. I love my 31 but my buddies 36 kicks my a$$ in over 5' seas.

We just sold our 33' SS. It handles bigger water better than most other boats of the same size. The ride is great. It never "bangs" when it hits a wave. With the sharp V bottom it's really suited to open water boating.
We live on the Gulf coast and I never had to worry about water conditions, the Sonic would take just about anything the Gulf could dish out.

All boats have their limitations! I stepped up to my 25 Checkmate to a '90 30SS. My first time out was in 5'+ chop. All I can say is we hit 67 mph on gps, skimming over the tops of the waves. I was truly impressed. Now, add a 1' or 2' to that chop and it is a drivers game. A bit more challenging. But if your concerned about going out in the morning worrying about a weather change during the day, you will have no problem getting home!

Thanks for the comments, keep em coming. I am moving up from a 272sr1 with a true 27 foot wetted surface I am sure Sonic is including the swim platform in there loa so I believe to only be gaining maybe two feet of hull. The weight however I think will make a huge difference. We like our Formula but we need a larger cabin and the pull out filler cushion is a nice feature on the weekends. Wife likes the idea of a full head and shower in a 31.

Dyno, same water as you just on the west side.

If you look at the bottom of a 31ss....It is not sharp at all
The keel is "rounded"...Not sure what year they started this,The older 31s are sharp. The bigger Sonics are still very sharp bottomed. I would think that would hurt ride & help speed

the 31's like mine are a 23* deadrise the bigger ones are 25 (I think)

I have a 02 31' with 496 mags runs 74 on GPS with 26labs on it and I've had no problem in going across the Chesapeake Bay when there were 5 footers, talk about a rush. A couple of my buddies worked at Off Shore and will tell you all day it's the best bang for the buck in rough water not to mention the size of the cabin. I also have two buddies that had 31's and traded up to 35's and said it was the worst thing they ever did so bigger not always better. Good Luck

Yea, the older 31's I looked at had a very round bottom, landed hard in Lake Erie. No comparison with my formula sr311. Dont know when they changed the bottom.

I've Never! Rattled my teeth in my Sonic! Landed hard ...whats hard?

dyno: What year is yours?...She looks real nice

OK what speed top and cruise do you think with 502 carbed mags 26 bravo's

heres a pic of me and some buddies comming home from the Cambridge Race

Had a 31, great boat. It does not ride as well as the larger, I had an 38 as well, but it was a great all around boat, and lots of room for the size.

My 31 is a 1993

I think the ones I looked at and rode were older than that. I loved the way the interiors were layed out with that pull out center piece that made a huge party bed.

Gota go for a bit keep the info coming.

Thanks
Russ

anyone have boat tests on the 31 sonic that were in power boat etc. ? could you post them ?

I do but dont have a scanner...I'll see if the wife can do it at work...

Very good boat.
I almost bought one. That boat had 454 Mags. The boat rean good in the rollers and chop, but it was, in my opinion light on power. Should have had at least 502MPIs.
Cabin was very nice, boat was built tough.
Very narrow between the bolsters...
I wouldn't hesitate if you find a good one.

I got that 31/454PIs to 63.3 on GPS at 4900rpm.

FYI- I bought a 28 Pantera with 502 MPIs. It's about 1' shorter, and does not have as nice of a cabin...
Ride is real nice, but less frills than Sonic. Don't rule out a nice Pantera 28.

I have a friend with a 260 Sonic..he is very happy. Here's the inside of his 26'

26 at speed.

I would not hesitate to go with a Sonic. If Dyno says they ride smooth they do because he has a small child and a wife and neither are big on banging, and Dyno would not beat the boat. I would do it, Lake MI is the roughest you will find and there are very few boats regardless of size that can handle a 5 foof LM wave without damage. Just ask Bob S from Chief. He even said LM was the biggest test for a boat you could find and he was running a 40+ Apache....oh, here we go, I said Apache.:D

Just ask Bob S from Chief. He even said LM was the biggest test for a boat you could find and he was running a 40+ Apache....oh, here we go, I said Apache.:D [/B][/QUOTE]

People, please refrain from using the "A" word!!!! Let's keep it clean.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:




:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

If you want a twin engine well built affordable boat, you can't go wrong with a Sonic 31, they look great sitting in the water.

31' Sonic
 

I used to run one, great ride and boat for the money.
Most people that ever rode with me were quite
impressed for stock power at the acceleration
and power etc.

If your good with the sticks and tabs you'll
be surprised who you'll run with in the ruff.

Last big trip I had with it we were coming back
from Pentwater heading to Holland. Nice 4' waves
running with them. My other friend was running
a 40' Sonic with 500's . Great time niether of us
could shake the other. Just dead even.

My wife was never a fan of the bigger water.
I started to get out of the throttles and she say's
what are ya doing? Keep going.........Wow ok,
so we hit the sticks hard the rest of the way home.

Good Luck with your choice.

Cougarman

2
 

2.

Cougar what ever happened to your Sonic? Did it leave the state?

For a while.
 

Went to Long Island, then to Ohio, now it's in Ada
Michigan and the fella run's it out of Grand Haven and
Holland.

This is the Grafic's the new owner has on it.

Cougarman

I got mine last year and love it. Not new, but new to me. Is a 1995 with 502 EFI's. The cabin is huge, and the ride is great. Every where we go we get compliments on it and the walkways along the side make it nice to get from the back to the front of the boat. And like everyone else has stated about the water capabilities, pretty much the rougher the better

ST31 has rare to find on this boat Blackhawk Surface drives. I imagine when that boat hooks up to the right conditions, it must run REALLY well. Can you imagine with about 600HP a side?

Here is a picture of what he is talking about.

Here's an action shot, I've got about 650 hp a side!!

:( Mine are being rebuilt now, but even after that I will only be about 500 a side. :( .

sgrady tell us about your 31 sonic : year , engines , speed , etc.

Wow, I can't believe you all are going in a strait line. When I came home from Cambridge I was dodging a whole bunch of chit left over from the hurricane. Man, I was dodging whole trees in the bay.

Nice pic!

My 35SS slices very nicely though the rough stuff (4-6 footers).

Tim G.

Nice pic. Just one question. Why don't I see those throttles all the way north?????

:D

Yeah BABY!