Jan 2003 issue compares 31SSw/496HO's,30 Cig w/575's, 312 Formula w/496 HO's, 32 Fountian w/350 Mag-only engine option?
SONIC:
top speed-2nd place behind the cig
0 to 60mph-1st place!
midrange acceleration-2nd place behind cig
40,50,60mph slalom-Sonic best
construction-only one w/3piece construction, Sonic and Cig only ones with vac bag/infusion
rigging-2nd to cig (also 1/2 the price!)
cig and Sonic only ones with gunwhale storage bulkheaded
Head-Sonic only, other 3 under v berth-Yuck!
price-second cheapest with all options added, cheapest if you consider the fountian only had small blocks.
Knocks-carpet in head(must have forgot to check the pirrelli option), CASSETTE deck (that does really suck in a boat this expensive) and glass fuses.

Over All-Best
of course we already knew that didn't we!

I couldn't believe the price on the cigarette.... That is crazy!!! What I couldn't figure out on that test was the sonic and the formula list the same prop and same rpm level, but the speeds were off. My math tells me same pitch, same rpm same 1.5 gear ratio, they should be at the same speed. I think they had the prop incorrectly listed on the formula. Both boats list 4800rpm, the formula at 72.3 mph and the sonic at 76.5. Did I read something incorrectly? I think the Formula must have had 24's or 26's. Isn't the 496HO in the Sonic a 5000rpm motor and the 496mag a 4800rpm motor?

Any idea what top end is on the 31 sonic with 375's?? What prop pitch they use?

Poor fountain... one engine option..... hehehhehe.... Just sad.... Cookie cutter boat.... no options....

Whats wrong with glass fuses?

Do they break easy or something, are they a lot cheaper than the other kind?

There is nothing wrong with glass fuses, they are just old fashioned.

I would assume the speed difference was due to the fact the dry weight of the Formula is 1000# HEAVIER than the Sonic. I can see that making a 4 mph difference.
The Formula however did win the top quality award I believe & the Sonic was best overall solution to value/performance for the money. I liked it, cause I own both!!

The glass fuse deal was that most upper class boats now use resetable circuit breakers not fuses. IN THE SONIC, THE FUSES ARE HIDDEN AND NOT EASILY ACCESIBLE. In the Formula the breakers are redily accessible. The breakers would probably add $200.00 to the cost of the boat, but well worth it.

ahhhh, i see i see, circuit breakers would seem to be a bit nicer, but as far as the fuses being hard to get at; mine you just open a panel in the head and they are all lined up, labeled and everything, nice and easy

I agree Mark. I open the mirror in the head and they are all right there. Except for the 2 main circuit breakers under the rear seat, also easy to get at.