31SS in MN, WI, or IA?
 

I'm considering the Sonic 31SS as my next boat. I'm from the Minneapolis, MN area and wondering if someone has a 31SS within a few hours that would just let me look at the boat. I'm not looking for a ride. I'm mostly interested in seeing the cabin. I'm torn between the 31SS and the Sunsation 32 Dominator and would sure appreciate any help you could provide in making a decision. I'm weighing my need for speed against my wife's need for comfort.

those two boats are night and day for cabin space. Buy the Sonic if you are at all concerned about cabin space. Buy the Sunny if you want a faster boat.

I am near Milwaukee and love out 31SS

hp500efi, I sent you a PM.

I agree with hp500efi, You need to decide if space or speed is the priority. If you have any intention of overnighting, the sonic is the boat. It has the biggest cabin of any speed boat in that size range.

I know. But, I can't decide until I see if the Sonic cabin merits the speed loss.

I am in Northern Illinois, just picked my 31SS up in June. Your welcome to come out for the day with me....that would probably make your decision.

I looked at the 32, just from a construction standpoint - you can't compare! I run 77 all day......

When I looked at sunsations a few years ago the build quality was about the level of Baja. Not bad but no where near Sonic. I bought 2 new Baja's before I bought my 31SS. No comparison in quality.
The F-4 seems to be built to a whole different standard, very nicely done.

kjberman, I sent you an email.

GO4BROKE, I just visited Sunsation a month ago and got to ride in a '09 Dominator SS. I thought the quality was excellent. It certainly seemed nicer than Baja's I've seen. Maybe they have stepped it up a notch, like the F4. If the Sonic quality is even higher, that's a plus!

Be guaranteed that you'll be able to "carry" more of whatever available speed there is in a 31SS, vs. the other boats in this size. If you're always on glass-flat water and like to drag-race, well then, that's another story alltogether. Arriving at your destination dry & comfortably, is usually a more important consideration...matter-of-fact, sometimes that'll even get you there first: hmmm.

Why don't you get here to Maryland, and I'll ride you in a new '07 31SS/496/425 boat...that way you can see what the ride qualities really are. I can pick you up @ BWI.
Hugh

If Hugh is willing to pick you up, thats better treatment than I got from a certain dealer in Chicago! Driving a new boat might be worth the price of a plane ticket. At least you will save the $90 I spent to use a rental for 3 hours.
But I'm not bitter!:eek::grinser010:

31ss with blue motors you have the best of both worlds, luxury and speed. The new 32 Sunsation hulls produce great speed out of the black motors, I just think there a little cramped on room...

Kjberman what motors do you have?

What are you guys using to pull a 31SS with? How heavy is it with fuel on an aluminum trailer?

About 10K
Boat 7K
Fuel 1K
Trailer 2K
I towed with everything from a '78 1/2 ton (I wouldn't recommend it) to a couple of different duallies (definately recomend.)

I first used a 00 Suburban 3/4t and pulled it fine, now a 04 Dirtymax (big difference)...

A board member named Z06 is using a modded 1/2t Z71.

BigBoat - i have 496HO's but i run labbed 28 Bravo i's......seems to like that set up nicely.

Towing 31ss
 

I use an 05' Expedition......and actually it tows pretty nice.....enough ppower, but more wheel base would be nice. Since i refuse to lose my A** on it i t will sit in my garage.

I have a 3/4 ton Suburban. Since it's 4WD and has the 6.0L with 3.73:1 gears, it's only rated to tow 8,000lbs. Even though the 31SS on the trailer with fuel will be heavier than that, it sounds like I should be OK.

06 HD2500 Duramax pulls very nice. On highway going 65, I can maintain 13mpg. If I get to 70, she drops to 11mpg.

Your 2500 Suburban will be fine. I would recommend replacing the Chevy hitch with a 10,000 pound rated hitch. I did and what a difference.

It will be fine. My dually is a 6.0 with 4.10's and pulls my 386 to 60-65mph OK. Just be sure to use a hitch rated for the load as hp500efi said.

Tahoe
 

I pull my 31 with a Tahoe and it gets the job done. But, I eats the gas in city driving. Can't wait until my lease is up.

You should give us a call. We are in Michigan and have a 31 Sonic with both of what you are looking forward. The interior is loaded with absolutley everything and we have twin 575SCi's. You can get the best of both worlds for you and your wife. We've only gone 85 a couple times but it will definitely go faster than that if you are looking for speed. We had a Sunsation before the Sonic and the handling and features of the Sonic are far better. We still liked our Sunsation but Sonic has more to offer if your wife wants to comfortable and happy! Trust a woman! I'm the one who picked out our boat and the hubby didn't fight me at all. Especially when I'm pretty sure he was full staff after he heard it start up. We will be at hot boat this weekend at Hardy Dam if you want to make a weekend trip and drive it. (We pull ours with a Lincoln Navigator. We took it to a weight station and it was 9700 lbs trailer and all with 3/4 tank of gas.)

Becca's boat is a good deal. I would buy it if I could figure out a good excuse to give the wife as why we need 2 offshore boats! Dano had a 31 with 575's that ran 98 I believe once it was dialed in.

I pull my 31ss loaded with my F250 (diesel) and it does a great job. Just had to throw that in there.... please continue...:grinser010:

Thanks for the offer. Your boat is definitely kick-ass. But, I'm checking out a boat on the Chain of Lakes this weekend. Since my wife is willing to travel so far just to see a boat, I'm treating her to a stay at a nice resort in Lake Geneva.

If you see Wette Vette at Hardy Dam, tell him Plum Crazy says hi!

Thanks! Do you remember what kind of outdrives he had? Everyone always ask us how fast our boat goes but we aren't sure because I'm not going to let my husband try it. Too dangerous. From old posts I saw he looked to have the same 575's with the super chillers. It would be interesting to know for the next time someone asks us. He even had the same paint job as us I believe but was minus some of the extras in the cabin that we have. We had the drives spinning inwards and switched that for better handling but did notice a little speed loss. Better safe than fast though.

I think he had sportmaster lowers. He tried a LOT to get to 100, I'm not sure if he ever made it. I'm sure your boat will do an honest 90. If you ever get to Lake Ontario, I will be happy to verify that for you!:evilb:

Thanks for the info! Now I can tell my husband so he never gets the itch to find out. He may already know top speed and won't admit it though!

I want to give a big thanks to kjberman. He offered to take me and my wife out on his 31SS. We traveled 6 hours down to the Chain of Lakes expecting only to get a quick tour of the boat and a lap around the bay. Instead, Kevin and his friends entertained us for 4+ hours and even risked letting me drive. It was a very fun afternoon.

I think I'm sold on the Sonic. I was very impressed with the handling, solid ride, and quick planing. It's a great boat!

Very nice!

That was great of Kevin to take care of you. Since Chicago is not too far, please consider Grand sport Center to help you out. They currently have a 2004 31 Sonic with HO's, unique graphics, plus extras like A/C and inverters, pretty nice condition. It's theirs to sell and they want to sell it. Go to www.grandsportcenter.com and look under used performance boats. It's currently at the Morris store, and is worth a trip if your serious.

Well, here's the end result of my quest for a new boat. It's a 2003 31SS with 496HO's. It also has some nice features like fridge, AC, and camper top.

It was quite a trek out to Connecticut and back. On the return trip, I drove straight through in 26 1/2 hours and my 3/4 ton Suburban handled the job well.

Nice :)

I need one of those foot rests for the passenger ... anyone know who has those?

kjberman's 31SS had the same footrest, so I'm sure Sonic could hook you up.

ME to my wife uses a pillow from the cabin under the carpet.

Plum-Crazy, Congrats on the new boat it looks great...

Regarding the footrest, I added one to my Prowler and got it through Sonic, pretty sure it's made by Garrick (sp?). My wife loves it! Congrats on the boat, it looks great! Steve

Here's a short video. I'm going to have to quiet it down. They're very strict here in MN. Can anyone recommend good clamp-on mufflers?

Jim he thinks his is loud, send him a blast from yours.

Probably the quietest clamp-ons would be the CMI sound elinination mufflers, they would really quiet you down at idle with 496's. Steve