Complaints.....
 

I've been on a lot of Sonics and always liked them. The only complaint (I've seen) is that they're heavy. I'm looking at the 31ss. How has the new vacuum bagging helped this, and do any owners have any other complaints?

Yeah, they are heavy and slower(not much though). But look how big they are.

Sonic is know for their amenities, big cabin, nice sleeping quarters, fully enclosed bathroom. Surperb rough water boat. It's just an all around bigger boat, and with that comes more weight and slightly slower speeds.

Naturally there are pros and cons to any boat, you just have to look at what your main priorities are.

Now for the 31ss, there is a dealer on the board here that did some testing with 575SCi's and ITS bravo XR drives on a vacuum bagged hull. He will chime in I am sure and can give you details.

So no, no complaints here because I knew what kind of boat I was getting.

Call Jay and ask him directly how much weight they shaved off each hull. He should at least tell you on the one you are interested in. I have seen the new vacuum process in person, and I can tell you there is a big difference. I am going to take a wild stab and say 10-15% lighter. That is only a SWAG, and please don't hold me to that. I know they can build each boat 20% faster now with the new process.

The old Sonic's were heavy and slow. That rep is sticking with them. Which is OK it makes it more fun when you smoke one of the "faster" boats. I would put mine against any other 30.5' boat with 365's in flat water and against anything in 6'+. Not that I'm prejudiced!;)

Hey you guys,

I'm getting pissed. Everyone knows that Baja is the leader in the heavy and slow catagory. I don't want you Sonic boys thinking you can take that crown away from us.

Well boys and their toys must compete! Even for the crappy titles!! Although I do think the older 36 Outlaws are probably Kings in that catagory! (heavy and slow I mean)

Hey 29, I will have to agree with you on the older Baja's. But they must have changed the hull or something on your newer one, because it has a great top speed.

To set the record straight Sonic is not vacum bagging they are using the new infusion process. I know this beacause I brought this to Jay last year. It should be a stronger and lighter boat. I don't want to tell everything and I'm sure Jay would answer any questions.

Whats the difference between infusion system vs vacuum bagging it, thanks Jeff:D

The basics; Vacuum bagging is covering the mold with plastic then putting a vacuum on the mold to sqeeze the excess resin out. Infusion is when you put the fiberglass in dry and plumb in resin channels in the mold, then pull a vacuum. Next you open the resin valves and the vacumm pulls in the resin and or wicks thru the glass. This way there is no extra resin and no air bubbles to weaken the glass. There also are no fumes to get into the air. This will be the future of boat building.
Hope this helps!

BYRON, correct me if I'm wrong, Im just trying to learn. Its basically the same thing other than the fiberglass mat is put in place dry, then Im lost from there, is it sprayed in through the channels, where do you place the channels, and it sounds more enviromentally freindly, thanks for the help, I find it very interesting. Jeff:D

Jeff, I've seen the process, and I may be wrong, but vacume sucks out the excess resin and infusion creates a vacume and then sucks the resin thru. It's pretty neat and I seen cut outs a Ft Laud show seems very strong, pound your fist on the sides and it's solid.

Look at 3Tex.com Thats the product being used in th boats. Tere website should help, if not let me know and I will explain further. And yes it is a neat product and process

Thanks Hughandlinda and Byron, I found the web site, very interesting stuff.:D By the way Byron, I saw your boat on the web site, thats one of the nicest, and customized 45 I've ever seen, the intakes look cool,reminds me a little like Nor-techs 43, what triple power did you have, I only had 500 efi on my 42ss.:cool:

He says only.

Go4Broke, it was a very nice boat, but was lacking in the speed dept. It topped out at 70-71. I sold it to my partner and he threw on some boxes and got 75 out of her. He has since Whipplecharged both motors but I haven't been able to get ahold of him for 2 months, he doesnt work very hard, only when his funds run down or he needs gas money:rolleyes: :D I'm curious what the boat will do on the top end, he loves it, and I love it also, cause when he comes down to the Gulf Coast he leaves it at my dock for 2 or 3 mos, and I can use it as well. You can't beat that.:D

What a sweet deal! Both your use of the boat and his work schedule! The only boat besides mine I have the use of is my dads 17' 3.0L Galaxy, and for that I supply free docking, launching, retrieval, trailering, winter storage, maintenance, cleaning, and gas!:eek: It would have been cheaper and easier to have bought a second boat for myself. HE has the perfect ownership experience, he bought it and uses it, I do everything else.:D Which is OK, I use it more than him, especially when I don't feel like getting my good boat dirty!:p

Jassman, Thanks a bunch I put the package together with myself and Jay Ross. I also had a matching F-350 and myco trailer. The 45' had trip 575's with boxes.

Byron post some shots of your interior cabin and cockpit, did you customize that as well. My wife found some shots that she saved when it was on the Sonic website, sweet looking boat. With the 575's is the boat are you in the low 90's. And if possible, how much lighter is your hull vs the std hull that was being produced last year. thanks again, and take care. Jeff Jassby :D :cool:

Now you guys are scaring me!!
I was told the 31SS weighed a little over 7000#. My Formula 312 weighs 8050 dry...... That's a 1000# advantage (or there about) to the Sonic. It also feels lighter when being towed. I have never had the Sonic in the water as I am new to Sonic & I am finishing a re-rig on an "88" model (Too Old's boat).

mine tips the scale at 7700....but I have an arch its a 1993

I just read a test by power boat, and the stated test weight was 7400#.....the Formula is still 8050# for same length.
650# diet I guess.