'03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

I was just looking at a 2003 356 with t/500 EFI's, what would the top speed be for that year of boat? How is the ride in it compared to other boats of similar mind set? What would you consider it to be relative too (ie: PQ, Formula, etc).

Thanxs for any info

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

I've got a 2001 356 with 500 EFI's and it runs between 74 and 75 on a really good day. I'm turing 15 1/4 x 28 labbed Bravo One's. RPM's around 5,000.

I was turning 15 1/4 x 26 labbed Bravo One's which got me 5,200+ RPM and the same top speed but, as you would expect, the cruise speed at 3,800 RPM was 2-3 MPH faster with the 28's. These numbers are GPS based.

The boat rides and handles like a dream. Since the cabin headroom starts out at 6'0", I haven't seen any boats that compares to it in the cabin area. Keep in mind Sonic is a three piece boat so it's incredibly strong and tight. Fit and finish are fabulous. Also, if you're looking to get a genset in the engine compartment, forget it. We have had good luck with a little portable generator that fits nicely under the passenger seat.

In summary, we love it!

By the way, I met the new owners of Sonic at the Jacksonville Figherfighters Poker run earlier this month. Lenny and his wife Angela seemed be great people and customer focused.

Hope this helps.

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

Stoker11,

thaxs for the info. I'm out kind of shopping and seeing what everyone has to offer. I want some speed when I want it but mostly looking for cabin and cockpit room and a better ride. One thing thou...I saw in a listing some where of a 356 weighing in at over 10K..is that true? Sure does seem like a lot.

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

Itilldo,

Maybe with a full load of fuel, water and gear. Mine weighs 8,400 dry.

FYI, we're thinking about selling ours and moving up to a 42 next year. If you're interested let me know and we can get into some more details.

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

You could always move into a 38 for a resonable price also...

and it runs in the low 70's as well.

John S :D

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

Heres a few more... :D

and all the valve train upgrades have been done to. :D

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

thanxs guys but I'm just window shoping right now. Not sure what I really want to do but I do know I need more room and a better ride from a bigger boat!!!

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

Pwrbt33,

Great thought! We have seen the 38 and have definately not ruled it out.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

If any one is looking for a great used boat this one is for sale at a resonable price! :D The owner wants it gone !!

John S. :D

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

The 356 is a great boat but Is a " TAB DOWN BOAT " ( likes to porpise ) have several customers with them...........


the 38 is stable and just wants to run........


between the two the 38 is worth the extra money..........and have seen the boat John is talking about ........NICE boat


take the 356 for a ride in a 2ft chop you will see what I mean


with the tabs down the 356 uses more fuel then the 38 so the differance will make up for the price and you have 3ft more boat


my advice is go with the 38 ........ granted that and 2.00 will get you a cup of coffee

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

In 2003, Sonic started the Baltek process of Infusion. (Vacuum Bagging the hulls.) There were some boats that had some issues with cracks in the resin/gelcoat, so look the boat over carefully. In 2003, I believe they were only doing the hulls like this. The cabin liner and deck were not vacuum bagged. The owner in 2003 was cutting some corners and they were experimenting with the new process and it showed in some boats.

The 356 and the 386 are pretty much identical from the steering wheel forward. The extra couple feet comes in the engine compartment or extended cockpit that you see in some 386 boats. Some 386's have huge cockpit with a U-shaped rear seat. Some have triple engines so the cockpit is smaller like the 356.

Some/most 356s had issues with porpoising. This has to do with the notched transom. The boat gets up on plane and wants to lift most of the nose out of the water, and the hull searches for this missing notch of the transom/aft portion of the hull to run on. Well, when its not there, the boat's nose falls a bit, and this creates a vicious cycle we call porpoising. Sometime in 2003, Sonic took the notch out of the 356 (in other words filled it in for a square transom). In most boats with a notch, its there to provide cleaner water for the props much like a setback box does; however it does have its drawbacks.

The 356 had the most porpoising issues, but its not a bastard boat. Most owners found a way to set the trim and keep the boat performing well; otherwise you would see all of them for sale. Best idea is to mark the window of the trim indicators with a Sharpie marker on the the ideal trim settings and leave them there.

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

In o3' it is a 358 got one ! 5blades no tabs no bounce 77.8mph 525's great boat!!!

Re: '03 356 w / 500 EFI's Top SPEED ?????
 

Our old boat was a 2001 358 with 500 efi's. The boat ran 79 mph all day long. Our's was loaded with almost every option. I didn't have to use tabs unless I was running below 4000 rpm. The boat came with B1's 28p.