How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I would like to get opinions on how the 26 and 31 sonics compare to the other boats out there like fountain and baja and other boat makers, are sonics up there in the tops of boats, im looking to buy my first boat this off season and would like help in my desision, my main goal is the ride, would like to find a smooth ride and a great made boat, with a little speed thanks guys, also where are some good boat dealers out there for sonics?

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Baja & Fountains are good boats but you get more for your money with Sonic, Better standard features and better cabin space. You may be sacrificing some speed compared to fountain power-to-power. I owned a Baja as my first boat and Sonic will be next.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I own a 31 sonic and with 496's and it runs 74 on GPS cabin is huge, and it will take what ever the water can give it. The biggest thing is when it lands it lands soft and sturdy

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Sonic has a bit more fit and finish quality, in my experience than Baja. Fountains are well made boats; however you pay quite a bit for the name, and the boats are always smaller than others in the class, as Fountains have a molded in beak, and integrated swim platform. (Sonic's platform is molded in and counted in the overal length too, but Fountain raids this loophole more.) Donzi also makes a fantastic boat. Their list price tends to be a bit higher though, and so does their resale on the back end.

My personal opinion: If you start off in a Baja, you are going to find yourself wanting something bigger, badder, and more unique in a relatively short time. If you start off in a Fountain, you are going to be very happy with the fit and speed of your boat, but the size just is not going to be what you want. Bite off a bigger piece than you think you can chew when you leap. It will be worth the effort. You will tend not to get 4-foot-itis (wanting a 4 foot longer boat) so quickly. Remember there is a huge difference in running a 31 twin compared to a 26 single, from insurance, to gas, to oil changes, to all other maintenance.

My first boat was a 26' Sonic with an HP500EFI. I was the third owner. Each previous owner had it for 1 season, and each of them bought 31' Sonics. I kept the 26' for 3 seasons (sold it literally 3 years to the week later), and jumped from a 26' Sonic to a 37' Active Thunder. I could have afforded the 31' Sonic or 32' Active Thunder earlier, but saved my pennies and efforts, and went big when I jumped. In the mean time, I upgraded my truck to something that would pull whatever I ended up buying.

Now, if I could get to you consider an Active Thunder for your first boat... you have no idea how amazing these boats perform. I have seen this boat in person, and it is phenominal:

Brand New 2005 28 Active Thunder

As far as dealers go, Frank Marchone at All Pro Marine is the only dealer for Active Thunder, and he has probably sold 70% of all Sonics in the past 15 years; some several times like mine. All Pro reps Sonic, AT, and Fountain. They are in Grasonville, MD, outside of Annapolis by a few miles.

All Pro Marine

If you wanted to go Donzi, there is only one place I would talk to: Offshore Performance

Don't pass up Formula either. Very nice amenities, albeit a little more geared toward performance cruising, i.e. windshields and things the wife/gf likes better.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Hey Sydwayz over all how did the the prowler ride and over all would it be a good starter boat i want an nice ride, im up here on the chain o lakes in chicago and it would only be used there, my back isnt the best but i want a good first boat i appericiate the response look foward to anyother info thanks

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

You would be absolutely fine on the Chain with a 26' Prowler. Its been years since I have been on the Chain, but I can attest that you will never see the limit of the 26' Sonic on the Chain. We were out once in the Chesapeake Bay and still comfortable in consistent 3-4 foot slop. When we came out to a bigger portion of the Bay, we saw 5-7s, and headed in, only because my sister's neck was getting tender. She is a pilot, and I did not want to risk her being hurt. The boat was handing the water just fine.

Check out this picture below. Its my 26' Sonic on the Potomac River, about 50mph with 4 people on board, and full of fuel. We were cruising, tabs up, and a very abrupt set of cruiser wakes happened upon us on a Poker Run. We ended up with this amazing shot from the Helicopter. We were at least 2-3 feet higher, as this shot was taken on re-entry. The boat landed very well, like a warm knife falling into soft butter. Yes, the nose is pretty high; what you don't see is that we skipped over two swells, and landed in a trough; and drove up the third swell like a sheet of plywood.

Sonic flying

http://www.offshoreonly.com/gallery/...1904osofly.jpg

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

The month after the new owner of my Sonic took delivery, in Montana, of all places, they had a freak wind storm near their house producing 6 foot waves at times, and their neighbor's son was lost for a time out on a Sea-Doo. The Sonic was the only boat that anyone was comfortable taking out in that water. They took the Sonic out and that is how they found him.

I never had a complaint about it being a rough pounding ride. The 26' Sonic is heavy boat, and will not be as fast as competition in your size range with similar power. However, the 2003 and newer hulls are now vacuum bagged with the 'infusion' process, making the hulls lighter and stronger. This has improved the top speed of the Sonics. Even that being said, the Sonic has the tendency to wave crush, rather than wave skip, (well maybe not above), but for your back, I think the Sonic would be a good choice. As for a starter boat, yes I do recommend it as well. Its tough, and forgiving, meaning you can make a few mistakes, and the boat will be there to help correct you.

Another word of caution. A lot of Sonics come with Rocket Trailers. They are crap, and I mean crap. Cheapest piece of aluminum you can put under a boat. If you can swing having a Myco trailer, or basically anything but a Rocket, I highly recommend it. I had to rebuild my Rocket from the ground up. Once I did that, it did become a nice trailer, and made a 100% event free haul from VA to MT.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I agree with sydwayz, except the part about the trailer. I bought a Manning for my 42 Sonic and difference in the way it trails is amazing and at a much more reasonable price than Myco. You pay for what you get, sometimes you have to pay for the name.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Manning are great. I could not think of any other names at the moment I was typing. My AT is on a McClain Custom Trailer out of TX.

http://www.mcclaintrailers.com/

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I have a 31 sonic (it's for sale) and have owned a 20' baja and a 25 baja outlaw. I have buddies with scarabs, formulas, active thunders, and I think the sonic is the best boat for the money, ride quality, cabin space storage. I would buy a sonic over just about anything well an outerlimits would be nice but I don't have that kind of scratch.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I apperciate all this info on the sonics it will help in my desicion, i think for my first boat it would be better to start small and work up because if i go big then i need a new truck and its twice the money for gas etc, etc, unless i find a deal on a 31 but will have to see, anyone with 26 or 31 sonics for sale please send any pics if possable and any other info on sonics i greatly appericiate, im glad i found this web sight thanks again and look foward to more info :D

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Sonic31, you are on the right track.

If/when you have your 26 Sonic, and you get bored, you might have a few dollars extra to play with motors. I specifically wanted something a little more unique when I was shopping, and held out until I found one with an HP500EFI. Now the frequency of boats you see with blue motors is much higher. It was not so 4 years ago. Many boats had the 502 Mag with 415HP. Regardless of whatever you end up with, someday, you may can take out the stock power, (which I recommend, and put in a crate and save it for when you sell the boat), and build a nice NA 540 for less than $15000 with as much as 600HP or more. Key things to look for when shopping:
Obviously low hours.
Meticulous owner.
External Hydraulic Steering.
Bravo 1 XR Drive, XZ Drive, X Drive, in that order (over standard Bravo 1).
Extension box or ITS Drive System.
Pump Out Head.
Shore-power.
Kiekauffer K-Planes over Bennett Trim Tabs, (if Bennetts, the 16' tabs are best).

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Nice pics by the way Sydwayz, thats an amazing pic. If it handles those waves the chain will be no problem. Am i better to buy a new 26 prowler and get a 500 efi or 525 right away or should i look for a used one thats say 2-3 years old, i know that its like a car when you buy new then you lose a ton of money but id have a new boat and no one elses problems, plus i can get the motor i want and be done with it. Also its hard to find one thats got a good color scem and so on, ive been oatin alot and see how people beat the you know what out of them.Did the 496 h.o. rplace the 454? And ive heard some people say they dont like the 496 h.o. just what i heard not sure if true thanks again you really are helpin me out. :cool:

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I have twin 496HO in my new boat. I am quite happy with them.

The 496 Mag replaced all versions of the older 454 Mag.

The 496 HO replaced the 502 Mag, 415 HP.

Blue motors from Mercury are nice, but they are damn expensive. Must be the blue paint. :rolleyes:

Anyway, even if you have a new boat, chances are it will have a few gremlins. They all do. If you get one 2-3 years old, try to find one with the extended Mercury or Passport Warranty. Also, Sonic has a 5 year Hull warranty, and many parts are individually warrantied as well. You will not be so far up the river with a couple year old used boat. If you pick up one with 2 seasons on it already, chances are most of the bugs are worked out.

As for the porpoising thing mention in the General Discussion. Yeah, it may happen on your Sonic. With a full tank, and crusing speeds, the Sonic sometimes is looking for more hull at the transom, where most of the Sonics have a notched transom. The boat will bounce a little bit, searching for this missing piece of transom, and then settle down. Some of the new Sonics, like the 358, no longer have a notched transom. Also, the newer, 2003 and newer, vacuum bagged hulls are completely different since they are lighter. Once you have experience with your Sonic, you will know how to correct this. I NEVER had a complaint about porpoise on mine, full, empty, fast, or slow.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

well thanks for all the onfo if you ever come across any for sale and look like good deals keep me in mind id appriciate it thanks

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Sydwaz great advise it's nice to see boaters looking out for future boaters

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Like many boats, they don't porpoise if you know how to drive them.
I've had 2 Baja's, they are alright boats, but not in the same class as Sonic. My next boat will very likely be a 38 Sonic.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

But the Sonic you won't be disappointed. We have had 3 and would really consider another. Have had Formula, Black Thunder, Regal, Fountain, and Sonic.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Somebody build me a Vacume bagged Sonic 28 with a single 575EFI and a Konrad drive :D

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

I've got a 35SS for sale. Went from a 20 foot jet boat to this 35SS and it drives like a dream. $75K I now have a Sea Ray for the family. Love it, but will by another go fast in a year or two. Race boat that is. A Pantera would be sweet, but would consider a Sonic as a racer.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

There is a 1996 31 Sonic located in your area posted in the classifieds that I see running around the chain and appears to be in good condition. You cant go wrong with the 31 I owned mine for 9 years before we got the itch and moved up to a 42 Sonic.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

yeah ive seen that one to looks nice but not sure on paint ive seen it on the chain near the sand bar

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Love mine! IMHO a better ride than the Fountain or Baja and way more cabin..my 1993 with 330's ran 64 with some work it runs 74 on GPS and its got air....so if you weekend alot its way good!! If you get up this way drop me a line and I'll take you for a ride!!
Don

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Nice looking boat and if im ever up that way i will let you know, id like a ride in that boat, looks sharp thanks, i bet that thing rides like a champ..... :rolleyes:

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Thanks its amazing what a little paint can do to a older boat!!!

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Tons to be learned from Sydwayz experience (Thanks). I have a 31ss that i use on Lake Erie. I love how it rides and love how forgiving it is at high speeds, the added comfort of the relatively large cabin is great for the long weekends.
As an aside I bought my sonic for the performance, the price, and the the room in that order... but also I think there is something different that I love about how the 31 ss looks. I love the bubble top on the bow..and how low it sits at the transom. It just looks like it is ready to flat out get it when you hit the throttle... I have not seen any other boat that looks quite like this when it is docked:) Has anyone else noticed this??
I also agree that rocket trailers are trash...... The axels gave and bent under the weight of my boat and wore out my tires, next thing I knew my left middle hub was burnin up despite good maintenance.... it was ugly. I now have a custom made Load Master and love it. To anyone near Port Clinton Ohio..I recommend load master, they custom painted and constructed my trailer and it is great and the price was great. Also when chosing a trailer if you have and option of surge vs. power breaks... go with the power breaks ...I love them.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Sonic 31 I went through exactly your decision process 6 years ago. I had to decide between a new 26 and a used 30/31SS.

Then I rode the 35 Sonic Crazy Greg down in Florida in three foot seas and suddenly the 26 was off the list.

Sometimes I wish I had held out for a 42 or bigger. While the 30SS can handle nasty ocean seas, a 42 + would be even better now that our cruising horizons have expanded to lenghty offshore trips to Nantucket etc.

When you get bored of the lakes and start participating in Poker Runs etc, you will REALLY wish for a bigger boat to span the Outerlimit prop holes better. <gg>.

It is amazing how much junk we carry around in our boat now, beach chairs, umbrellas, inflatable kayaks etc, and all the stuff would not fit in a 26 and still have room for overnighting. We are so glad we went for the 30/31.

Skip the 26 and go for the bigger boat, save yourself the hassle and money. We love our 30SS, we just want more Sonic and you will eventually too.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

CBR,
Crazy Greg is for sale! Saw it in Ft. Lauderdale.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Thanks NJSonic, interesting to know. That boat must have about 30,000 hours on it! Certainly a testament to how well Sonic builds its boats....in charter service for what, ten years?

The captain Robert was a class act and I heard the elderly owner of Crazy Greg passed away a year or so ago.

Good luck to both Robert and Crazy Greg!

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

ok you guys i'm in 2005 35 or 38 will i be disapointed in a thirty five going from a twenty eight.also i have a choice of silent choice or mufflers. what the pros or cons.also i recently hurd sonic has quality problems.anyone hear about it.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

Sonic28
You have mail.

Re: How Does Sonic Compare To Others?
 

no mail nj try to pm me
paul