My buddy is shopping. Likes these two boats. He will be using it mainly on Lake Michigan. More than likely the boat he buys will have black merc power, either 496's or 502mpi.

Looking for opinions on rough water ride, construction, amenities, speed, etc. I am guessing the 31ss should outride the donzi in the lake michigan snot, but be a slower boat?

The 31 Sonic is a great boat, good construction, it will take a lot of rough water. Don't let the size fool you. I've been on about twenty poker runs in a 31 from river runs to sounds, cheaspeake bay and the ocean. It can handle all of it. Will run 72 mph with 502's. Can't speak for the Donzi. I'm sure it can handle a lot of rough water.

My friend Frank (Shanghied Again) has a 33 Zx and it is an awesome boat. It runs and rides much bigger than it is and is loaded with amenities. He ran the offshore route last year in the A/C poker run with all the big boys and held up with the best of them. I have not been on a 31 Sonic so I can't speak for it but I highly recomend the the 33 Zx.

The 33ZX is a MUCH LARGER boat than the 31 Sonic. The 31 Sonic's cockpit is very small and the freeboard is low in comparison to the 33zx.

I second this...

The 33ZX is a massive boat. Everything about it is bigger, beam, length, cabin, freeboard, cockpit. The 31SS Sonic is a VERY VERY SOLID ride, and pretty hard to screw up in the handling department. Its very predictable. The Donzis are also sound boats, but I assume he is looking at the twin step 33ZX, and he's just going to have to take his time learning how to handle it.

I'd also take a look at this boat:
http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o20167-en.html

I've got nothing to do with it. It's been for sale forever, and yes its definately priced high. It does have blue motors, and I'd venture to say it's a nice split between the two aforementioned boats. Its bigger than the Sonic, smaller than the Donzi. The ride of the 32AT in rough water can't be touched by any boat in that class/size.

Who's shopping?

My buddy I work with. He really likes the Donzi's. I think some underestimate how flat out rough and snotty lake michigan can get. Since he has a wife and a couple kids, I'm trying to recommend something that wont pound them to death out there on the rough days, and still offer some room and amenities.

Chris, I am sure you can attest to this. The 28 Pantera is one bad ass rough water boat for its size. Would you want anything less out there running hard?

How do the cabins compare between the Donzi 33 and Sonic 31?