I was watching the rerun of the Savannah race and saw the fleet of F2's walk right away from the Sonic team. I don't think they have much chance against all the special, purpose built boats. The Sonic is by far the deepest boat out there. The cabin section looks to still be 6' tall. Cutting about 2' out of the middle would go a long way toward lightening it up. The rules probably won't allow it, but its not really fair. F2 was originally supposed to be pleasure boats that doubled as race boats. The Donzi (which I love) was never meant to be anything other than a race boat. If all the boats truly were pleasure boats sans cabins, I think the Sonic team would do well. Just had to put in my 2 cents.

I was curious how the Sonic would do. I really like the boats. Lots of cabin room and good rough water capability. But they are not fast. Unless Jay did some magic and took a lot of weight out of the boat with the new layup process, what could be expected. The boats are great for what they are. But put them up against boats that are built to do nothing but go fast, and it gets tough.

As far as them "doing well" if they were all truly pleasure boats, I am not sure I agree. There are too many pleasure boats out there that are built to go fast and that's it. I also think a "for pleasure" built 38 Donzi would not be competitive either.

I think the Sonic does an excellent job in the segment of performance boating they have chosen.

Just my .02

I bet a 35 with an infused hull, and ITS, totally stripped of anything that does not make it faster, would be a serious contender.

I saw a pic of the Sonic race boat and was listed as a 36'

Too Old you just summed it all up. Its too bad, I think a Sonic would do well with the right set up, lots of the races are rough water.
Ken, I saw that too, I think its because the boat is 35' 8"

I have owned three Sonics including the 45' triple 575 boat Pay 2 Play. ou can make any change you like to the layout or layup but until they step the hull they will never never be fast enough to win a race. They are really nice boats but are not race boats. As always if you want to go fast buy a cat!

I agree with what everyone has said. It is dissapointing to see the Sonic get beat like that, but the Sonic was never really intended to be a race boat. They were intended to give ammenities, and a good rough water ride, which they do without exception. To do that adds up to increased weight.

It is nice to be represented, and I think with the right amount of weight reduction & right setup, we might be competitive. But Jay Ross has no interest in racing. Building 120+ boats a year he holds his own. Some of the other guys may build more & faster boats, but I like the quality of my Sonic. I have no complaints about her all. Can the other manufacturers customers say that ?
Read the nighmare the guy has had in the Fountain Forum !

The new Scarab is a flat out race boat, no cabin. Fountain offers the same in two different configs, enclosed canopy & open cockpit.

It all boils down to individual tastes & desires. If you want to go fast, put in big power ( usually loose dependability & increased costs ), or buy a stepped hull boat or a Cat. But if you want decent speed & ammenities, stick with the Sonic ! Besides everybody I talk to says the steps are faster, but you feel everything. You cant say that about the Sonic, within reason. Side by side, I think the Sonic offers the best of both worlds, decent speed & nice accomodations/ammenities.

Just my thoughts.....