2003 358 Pros And Cons???
 

After selling the 2000 32' Active Thunder, I am purchasing a 2003 358 with either 500's or 525's. Any pros or cons on the boat??
Be honest and open, I like the real truth.
Test drove one with 496HO's but I need more power.
The boat seemed to porpoise a little with the drives trimmed up, but calmed down with the tabs a couple notches down.
So, Sonic owners.. what is your opinion?????

I don't have one but I would like to! I had a friend with a 358, he had no complaints other than he couldn't handle it at the launch by himself. I think he got 77 out of it with 500's

Thunder32, are you from HRPBA? Did you have a Fountain before the AT?

I looked at the 358 that OP has. I did not drive it; but I drove the 386 with the 525's. Please see my post in the Gen Disc. about the 386 and more importantly the 525s. Without question, go for the 525s. They are underrated from MR, and are really close to 550HP at the crank. This puts them almost right there with 575SC without the hassle of blowers. Imagine the possibilities when it comes to tweaking time, and being the 525EFI is a stock EFI motor, I bet you can get the passport 5 year warranty on it as well.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forum/sh...threadid=35652

The 358 has a history of porpoising. This has been siginificantly reduced if not eliminated with the removal of the notch in the transom, and the redistribution of weight including the new vacuum bagging process.

The 358 is a sweet deal. You get all the cabin space of the 386, and all you lose is a little cockpit and a little engine room. (What you would lose if you had triples in a 386 anyway.) Since all Sonics handle water like they are 3 feet longer than they are, you really do get the best of both a cost savings and extensive boat for the money with the 358 IMHO. Best of luck.

Brian-
I live in Fredericksburg, and boat on the Potomac and Chesapeake, for the most part.
I will order it with the 525's when Frank gets back from FL next week. He's down in FL for the show and to put his orders in with Jay.
Now if I can only get that extra cash from the wife.......damn, she has the checkbook again.....;) :D

There are only two 32 AT in VA that I knew of, your old one and one in VA Beach. I knew I knew you, just not sure where you were from.

I live in Fredericksburg. I have seen my old ride on the River this past year, just hope the guy is taking care of her.
Meeting with Frank this coming weekend to finalize the order with engine options...defintely the 525's.
I need to meet the new owner of the AT, someone told me he was thinking about adding superchargers to the 502's.

Sydwayz, There is a guy on the board that lives in Fredericksburg, VA (Lee's Hill Subdivision) with a 32 AT. I have seen him a time or two at Cap't Billy's or Pier III (Gilligans). I can't remember his screen name.

Mike

I just realized that it may be Thunder32! Thunder32, do you live in Lee's Hill?

Mike

Hey Big Mike-
That's me in Lee's Hill. Had to sell the 32' AT (wife wanted a cruiser), it was a great boat.. Went cruising for a year in a Formula, and that was nice creature comforts, but way too damn slow. (told wife time was up for that ****)
Working with Frank at Offshore Performance, and ordered a 358 Sonic with 525's. Hopefully be ready in spring.

Hey thunder, here is a pic of my 358. The boat is superb. With the 500efis I run a true 77 gps in freswater. No boxes. I find the boat to be phenominal in rough water. I disagree that there is any porposing (sp) with the boat and the notch. I know that the 03 has no notch. I never raise the drives before 50mph. The cockpit is a little small but I have two little boys and they do just fine. With the new cosntruction procees the boat has to go slightly faster. So my guess is 78-79 freswater same set up.

Hey Looney Tune-
That is a sweet pic of your boat.....
In reference to the porpoising (sp), I noticed a little of this in calm water with the drives up, and about 60mph. It is no big deal, that's why their is tabs, right??
Once again, great looking boat and pic.:D