Hey guys, after i sold my Baja i have been in search for a boat to no end! Well..... I went and loooked at a Sonic 26 Prowler today and fell in love...

Its a 99 26 Prowler, 496 HO 425hp. Bravo xr drive, Dual ram Hyd steering. Etc...Boat does need a few odds and ends but no big deal.. And came with a brand new venture bunk trailer!!

Ive read alot over the last few wks about these boats and although not a speed demon, Im sure i will be plenty happy....
Now the ??? is, Do i take the 496 out and drop my 525sc in!

Any tips info greatly appreciated

Welcome to Sonic brotherhood.

Sold my sonic prowler after 1 season because I was not happy with it...... Boat was truly a 60 mph boat with 496 ho, and that was with a flush mounted gps to look at. Sonic makes a very solid, quality boat, that looks sharp with nice hard lines, plush cabins ect. I was sick of having to drag the tabs to stop poirposing, planing like pig while my friends were 1/4 ahead before I ever plained. If you are not concerned with speed and dont mind sacrificing cruise speed to prevent the boat from bouncing then you will love it. By the way this is just my opinion, good luck and if you have questions about the 496 ho prowler feel free to ask

Will get some pictures later today after i hit the DMV

"Sonickevin95" You know what they say about opinions right? Ive read all about the slowwwnesss and the pourpiosing on this boat and i feel that for now i can overlook that....I HOPE hahaha. This is only my second powerboat and the first one i only had for six months! Thanks bud, if i have any?? about this thing ill be sure to ask

Congrats on the purchase!
I can't answer the question regarding the 496ho, but my 98 Prowler is powered with a 525sc, recently upgraded to 600hp. I am running a 5 blade Cutting Edge prop, & I see 72 @5300, that is gps numbers...tabs in neutral position (280 k-planes are a HUGE plus for this hull). I feel sure with a 4 blade I would see mid-70's.
Tabs are needed to reduce the porpoising, but above 50, it levels off, & I run them at neutral.
Planning is a breeze with the 5 blade, & absouletly NO prop blow out in hard turns.
Drop me a line, & I'd be happy to chat with you some more regarding my set-up.

Congrats and welcome to the brotherhood.

You got a 525SC. Just sitting there....I would get it ready to go and drop it in....you can never have too much power

Sounds like Rick is the man you want to chat up (and maybe send him a six pack of his choice ), enjoy the boat. IMHO I would run the boat with the 496 for a while, get any bugs out, fix any issues and then consider bigger power. There is some good Sonic knowledge on this board, go back through the archives.

Also something to consider is the turn key reliably of the 496 ho bravo package. Very nice engine package. Breeze to winterize also