2 questions about a 42 sonic
 

.

1 - how fast will it run with 500 efi's ? (its a 2000) im guesing 65 mph

2 - how is the bathroom ? can you stand up in the bathroom (im 5'11" and a half) can you take a shower in it ?

my 45 wellcraft excalibur got totaled in hurricane sandy , I figured I would replce it with something trailerable so I can leave it at a high and dry in florida for winter . I started looking at formula 382 fastechs and a donzi 38 zr but the bathrooms suck , I wanna be able to take a shower on the boat


thanks in advance for any feedback


.

A buddy has one, don't think they ever took a shower on the boat but it could probably be done. He built 540's and still didn't see 70 except maybe once ona perfect day. 500's might hit 65 but not on a regular bases.

Yes you can shower, if you have the hot water heater. I have driven one, 65 MPH is not out of the question with 500HP's.

How about a like new 2002 358 that'll do 80?

The cabin will be way too tight

Cabin is the same as a 386. It is smaller than a 42, but not tremendously.

I take showers in mine all the time. I love overnighting. I am 6' and my wife is the same. The cabin in the Sonic was the main reason we bought the boat.

Sorry , when I said the cabin would be too small I thought he ws talking about a 35 formula fastech when he mentioned the 358 . For some reason I thought a 358 was a formula fastech. . I am till trying to familiarize myself with all of the performance boats. So far I looked at a bunch of boats where the cabin was less then I was looking for. I need to look at some sonics cause I am not familiar with them

Can you stand up in the bathroom of a 42 sonic ?

How tall are you? I'm 6'3" and manage in a 31Sonic cabin.

The formula is a 353.

im only 5' 11'

so far these are the boats I looked at

35 fountain - hated it , cabin was a coffin

38 formula fastech -much better but still too tight

37 active thunder - too tight

42 fountain lightning -too tight

38 donzi zx - the best one so far but the bathroom was still too tight

im curious as to the headroom in the bathroom on a 42 sonic


.

Yes I have plenty of room

I think you must mean donzi 38 zX not the zr?

The sonic cabin trumps them all. The 358/ 386 cabin is surprisingly amazing once you enter. The 42/45 cabin seems endless.

The 37 outerlimits also has a nice cabin, and will perform better speed wise.

Why not the 43 black thunder? My friend purchased this late summer http://m.yachtworld.com/mobile/listi...oat_id=2253728 you won't find a bigger cabin, 6ft head clearance. Want 7 ft of head clearance? Go with the black thunder 43 sc.

you are correct , I fixed/edited that


.

.

I love the 460 blackthunder but its more then I was looking to spend

I also like the 45 sonic alot but im on the fence about having 3 engines

I really think I need to go look at a 42 sonic



.

Look hard at the 38's also. If I had to do it all over again I think I would probably have one, with a generator. The three engines are not terrible in my opinion. Towing that big pig around is. I have three Eddie Young engines in mine they dynoed at 600HP. the boat runs real strong. I am not trying to win any speed contest. The boat should be at about 90 with the right props (yet to be purchased). Remember Sonic's moto'' Luxury performance''. Not the fastest boat in the water. I am 5' 11'' 235 I have plenty of room in this boat.

Going by pictures I see online I really like the 38's that have that wrap around back seat .

People seem to either love or hate the wrap arounds, mine wraps only to one side. It does however make for good storage space and a place to install extra speakers.

[QUOTE=GDM;3847649].

I love the 460 blackthunder but its more then I was looking to spend

I also like the 45 sonic alot but im on the fence about having 3 engines

I really think I need to go look at a 42 sonic



If you want to take a look at the 358 I have one sitting in my barn that's very accessible. You're not that far away and as mentioned above its the same cabin as the 38. I've also gto a 46 Black Thunder here too if you want to see that.

And there is the answer to all your questions.

My friend has a really nice 42 for sale. http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o45757-en.html
Not as "big" of a boat overall as a Black Thunder. I would take a serious look at a 43 or 46 Black thunder. Almost bought a few untill getting a Cruiser and a Go fast. I have driven and rode on a 1997 43, 2002 46, 2002 46, 2007 46. All 4 were amazing. Been on LOTO and Lake Michigan in the rough and they were fast and handled great. When it rained out we had 7 in the cabin having a pizza party with the A/C on and it made the BT seem even bigger! Nothing against Sonic boats but the Black thunder is really hard to beat for overnighting. Good luck on your search.

Gotta agree with offshorexcursion. The Black Thunder cabin makes Sonics look small, and are more richly appointed. I have considered a 46EC several times. Not very tow friendly though. Needs a lot of truck.

Not trying to debate trucks here but since you brought that up thought I would share what the actual owners of some BT tow with. Personally I feel that the same truck could tow either a 42 sonic or 46 Black Thunder. No big deal if someone does not agree. I love all boats and all trucks, just a gearhead at heart! But these owners have safetly towed for years and say the boats pull really nice. Either way, the OP should at least check out a BT in person, or even better take a ride on one.

F250 PS SRW 2007 46 (Shane)
Chevy DM 3500 DRW 2002 46 (Dan)
Chevy 6.0 Gas 2500 SRW 2001 43 Flat Deck (Dennis and Jason)
Chevy 6.0 Gas 2500 SRW 1995 43 Flat Deck (Jason B.)
F250 PS Lifted SRW 2002 46 (Ryan)
F250 SRW Chevy DRW Dodge SRW 43 and 46 (Chris)

Good luck to the OP and enjoy your boat shopping!

.


thanks for all the feedback , I am in Vegas till sunday so I wont be looking at anything right this moment

Im affraid if I look at a BT 46 I will have to have one and wont have the self discipline not to emty out my bank account lol

.

,


I see people are saying the 35 and 38 sonic have the same cabin

how much bigger is the cabin on the 42 sonic compared to the 35 and 38 ? more headroom then the 35 and 38 ?

Im asking cause I planned on looking at the 42 next but was wondering if I should also be considering the 35 and 38 as well

thanks


.

You should absolutely look at the 38 first, even the 358. If cockpit room is important, skip the 358.

All Sonic cabins are amazing for their size, even the 31ss. The 35-38 cabin trumps everything in the market sans maybe the Baja 38 special, which doesn't look nearly as cool as the Sonic.

Personally I feel the 42/45 Sonic cabin is length is overkill. The head room tapers down quickly compared to the BT, making the area past the galley seem too long and out of reach. The 42 and 45 Sonics I was on both had the filler cushions installed and were using the couch area for a bed, and the v berth for storage.

The v-berth bed in the BT looks like something you would have in a studio apartment. It appears to be free standing (its not) and the berth itself has stateroom feel. This is on both models. The larger SC model adds 6 11" head clearance, but the standard model has 6' head clearance.

If you are concerned with cabin in the 35-38 market, Sonic is the best choice.

If you are going bigger and taking on everything that goes with that go with the BT, the cabin is second to none in performance boats. It puts some cruisers to shame.


I have a friend that tows the 43 tall with a 2500HD dmax. Another that tows the 43 standard deck with a 3500 dodge DRW. The both claim the boats tow amazing. And from the performance numbers I would think the BT is not nearly as heavy as they look.

And from the performance numbers I would think the BT is not nearly as heavy as they look.[/QUOTE]

I wasn't thinking about that, but it wouldn't surprise me if they weighed the same or less than a 42 sonic. They are relatively fast, with average power, for their size.

Love the list Offshorexcursion, especially the 6.0 guys, as that is what I have.

Sounds like a good idea to check out the 38 sonic along with the 42 but I would not prefer the 35. Others can correct me if I am wrong....

The 35 seems to porpoise and I heard the 38 does not. There are 2 friends in town I boat with that have 35's and everytime we see them running or run with them they are bouncing up and down for no reason. Nice boats, dont get me wrong, and I understand no boat is perfect, but if the 38 does not porpoise and has a larger cockpit its a winner in my book.

Hey did I mention you should try to find a smokin deal on a Black Thunder because they are awesome! :lolhit:

I've driven my 358 for quite some time and as far as the porpoise issue goes I think its a non issue. On flat water you may need to drop a tab to keep riding flat but so what. Dropping the tabs a bit has little or no effect on your speed unless you're really trying to push the boat to its limit. Once you get into any type of chop the tabs are no longer necessary as the boat will run flat without any porpoise. I'm running the 5 blade Hydromotive props which makes a little difference but not really that much as I also run 4 blade Mercs too.

The 358 in 2000-2002 models had a notched transom that cause the porpoise, later models with the lighter lay up and removed notch did not have the issue from what I have read. I witnessed the porpoise on flat water while riding with vettex1 in his 358. It is not terrible, however I feel it may cost you a few mph on top end.

They are still just amazing boats IMO. Great lines, most have great paint schemes, creative use of space, and amazing cabins.

You won't win many races, but back at the docks you can turn the a/c on, bring 4 women in the cabin, and shower when you are done.....that is priceless in a performance boat :D

Worth a look, close to you, fast, relatively cheap. I try to get this guy to reduce the price just last year when I bought my fountain, he was firm at $89k. A steal at this price

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...S-36-100129121

If you buy can we trade valve covers? :D