Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Time to trade in the 2000 Sonic (42)
Anyone care to voice some pros and cons:
Nor-tech 43 v. the new Sunsation 43

My power of choice is triple 525s for cheap, easy to find gas, ease of maintenance and the "spare motor" thing

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

I have driven a 43 Nor-tech (twins) and would take this boat hands down over anything except a 42 Outerlimits... and that is still in question. The materials and finish are supurb. Also, it is not a 'production' boat. However, the cost is also a bit higher (my guess).

Nothing against the 43 Sunsation, but you would be a test mule for one with triple engings. The hull is a streched Powerplay 38 with no added cabin room. I do not think Powerplay ever did a triple engine. From the Sunsation photos I have seen, the boat looks great.

Sorry to the Sunsation masses, but IMHO Nor-tech would get my $$$.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

You won't get any arguments from me Boomer, and I am in line for the first F4. Jassman and I have talked offline about this since he's considering his second Nortech 43. The F4 has no history, and you don't have a boat to compare to yet. Now knowing what I know about it, I have no doubt it will be a great value and will be a rock solid entry into the big V market.

You won't get trips with it though. Not sure the 43 Nortech offers a trip set up either. The F4 is offering staggered, pick your power. There is no question that Nortech makes an outstanding boat, maybe the very best, certainly one of the best in styling. I also think Sunsation is coming out with an outstanding boat, but not sure we are comparing apples to apples here. Well, maybe I am sure, we aren't.

I've made my choices, and stand by them. I believe the guys at Sunsation give service that cannot be beaten, maybe tied, but not beaten. For the price, they are great value. And they are committed to make a statement in the industry with this boat.

As for the added cabin room, there are some changes from the PP. The floor was lowered and deck is a bit higher, creating almost 5 more inches of headroom. The nose was pushed out, but I believe the bulkhead remains in the same place, so I don't think you gain any length in the cabin. The interior is being designed by McLeod, so it will be nice. The width was pushed out 3 inches, and they got rid of the walkways on the side, so you actually gain more than the 3 inches, the cockpit was widened more like 4-5 inches. As far as styling of the F4 compared to the PP, make up your own mind. There are plenty of work in progress pics out there to see for yourself. Obviously I am biased on that one.


jassman - comments?

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

And the difference in price is?

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Nortech does the 43 with trips (there is one in th classifieds now), but twin #6 drives and bigger power is more common.

Price is hard to tell. I was given a price from Sunsation for the F4, but they then refused to honor the price once Denny left the organization. I still have prices with 525s and 1075 with Denny's signature on a scrap of paper.

My guess is that most of the Sunsations will be built with Bravo drives and most of the Nortechs will have #6 drives. I do not know if Sunsation has access to the 1075s yet, as you need to be apporved by Mercury to install this package.

Nortech has a great cabin and cockpit. Tons of room and top-notch work everywhere.

I think the F4 will look great. Sunsation has beautiful lines! I can't wait to see how it runs.

My guess is that there might be a premium of $50K for the Nortech with the same power and options, but this is a blue sky guess.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

RJ340, I had a 2000 42 Sonic. Loved the headroom in the cabin, but that was about it, and in its time it was a better than average boat. My quest was to find a boat with the same or more cabin height 6'2" for the amount of overnighting we do, and including all the amenities. I wanted a boat that had some lines to the hull, not just raised sections to get headroom, some curves, a boat that looked sexy in the water from every angle. I believe Nortech has achieved this. The cockpit was also important, it has alot more room than even my Sonic, its by far wider, 8 people on board is not cramped, and you can easily walk around to the cabin if needed. The extra depth gives you an additional seat behind the drivers bolsters which folds up and acts like a cushion for your legs when running hard when people are standing up. The dash is a masterpiece, by far the best looking dash in the industry to date. As to tripps, you can get tripps in the Nortech but must be a bravo boat, no room for 3 trannies in engine compartment, unless you want to sacrifice some cockpit space. I have twins, my present boat is sold, I'm in the process of ordering a twin 4300 staggered with a lighter carbon/epoxy resin layup.

As to the F-4 Sunsation, I obviously can not comment on this boat. I have watched it from its beginning and have found it to be facinating, alot of work goes into it, all the details, and Sunsation has done an excellent job. What I can tell you that everyone that I have talked to who owns a Sunsation are happy. Great service after the sale as well. You will find that this is so important these days, good service after the sale means potential customers for life, somthing Sonic needs major attention to. Jeff

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Thanks, Jass
That was an excellent, thoughtful and informative review. I guess I just think that Sunsation goes out of its way to make a sexier boat. Whatever that means

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Jeff, congratulations on selling your current 43. :cool: :cool: Are you still looking at that piece of paper? :D

Boomer, it doesn't surprise me that Denny was out quoting prices. At that point they didn't even know how big the boat would be or what options it would have standard etc. IMO, Denny's biggest issue was he never learned to use the 3 words "I DON'T KNOW". And that ended up being a credibility issue, at least with me. So I stayed away from the guy.

I have no idea why Denny left Sunsation, but I've never had that same experience (credibility issues) from Dave, Joe or Wayne at sunsation.

The ironic thing - I heard he is doing something in some capacity with Weinstein at PP, but not sure exactly what.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

If it came from Denny look out. He would tell you what ever you wanted to hear. The guy was with Baja, then Powerquest, and then Sunsation and gone all within 5 years I believe.

Jassman. congrats on the sale that is probably a huge load off with a new one on the way. :D

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Hey Rich - did you put your order in for that 39TG you spent all your time on Saturday. I could only listen to that boatshow salesman BS for so long rationalizing 419K for twin staggered 525s and a baron cabin with nothing in it. I especially liked his answer to your question why the cigs prices are going up so quickly. What else - they are better than anything else out there. :eek: :eek: :eek:

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

PWRQWST- I AM GLAD YOU THINK YOU KNOW MY BOAT EMPLOYMENT HISTORY. It is a shame that you would knock around my Lively hood on this thread. Not cool ..Lets try my involvement since 1979 in the industry.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

John,You well know that the plans were to come out with a 396, and that was a sure thing ..Now its a streched 38 Powerplay redesigned by Sunsation specifcations to a 43...We all discussed it back then, priced it and had the standard features and options for a 396.. Thats how Boomer was quoted a figure when he came to the plant to meet with all of us back in March.. You know as well as I, about this project. Who arranged this hull and deck to make it happen for Sunsation and their new profitable venture..You want to stay away? Be my guest. Just do not slam my credibility in this industry which has been my lively hood in which I have been involved with the best in the BOATING buisness and still continue to do so..Sunsation will do well with their new 43 and you will too.Thank-you.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Sorry Denny, I never got any prices quoted in the March timeframe. The first I started talking about prices seriously was mid summer. Other than that, it was throwing numbers around, and certainly nothing you would sign your name to.

That is my point above. The answer back in March was "I don't know."

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

My issue was with Sunsation after Denny left. Not only did they wait for me to follow-up, but curbed me to the dealer for another price. When I discussed the price Denny had quoted, they (Sunsation) would not reply. Basically, they were trying to get the dealer some $$ on the deal... totalling $40K+ out of my pocket.

I really felt that Sunsation should have honored the deal, as it was done with their input and by their National Sales Manager. This was not Denny trying to screw his company before he left!

Denny has only been 100% up front with me over the years.

Sunsation, however, left me hanging on this deal. I was even interested in working a deal for the first 1075s and make it a show/demo/magazine test boat. Here, Denny was the only one at Sunsation that saw the impact this could have on Sunsations place in the market. I was willing to take a risk on a new, untested hull for the right price.

Bye.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Hands down - Nor-Tech. They are in the same league as Outerlimits and this is Sunsations first boat over 32 so it's untested while the Nor-Tech has been there.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Everything I've ever heard, discussed, or seen is that Sunsation doesn't do factory direct sales. Strictly thru the dealer network.

At this point pending the results of MP's exciting new venture, it's silly to compare these two boats. Outside of size what's being compared? Performance? Quality? Styling? Offshore durability? Reputation? Price?

It's not a fair comparison with any boat at this point outside of reputation and thre general high expectations of everyone which is commendable in itself. By summer of 2006 once a couple are out there being banged around and optioned different ways, then it would be "almost" fair to start comparing the current high end boats with the new up and comer....Even then it'll somehow come around to what you get for your money, and how high you can or are inclined to jump... :cool:

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

well said Reckless.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Well Denny am I wrong about your history? I not knocking your lively hood I know you have been around for a long time and that you know alot about the industry but sorry I'm just not a fan. Every time I tried to talk to you when you were at PQ you just did not have time for my wife or myself, I guess we were just not spending enough money at that time. As for when and where this happened 1.Racine Wi. in water show two years in a row, and the Chicago and St Louis shows. So dont get me wrong it is just that if you work for a company that I would be interested in I just wont talk to you.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Thats where Im from, Racine,WI. Bought my first Powerquest in 96 a 34 Vyper with twin 502 efi's. Small world, Jeff

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Jassman,
That was quite a pissing contest you got into with open 27. You know better than that.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Hey Steve, its unfortunate, what goes around comes around, thats all I care to comment this time, we'll see who laughs last, enough of that, hate to have this thread ruined also cause of him. Jeff

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

You guys tempted me to go over and read that thread last nite - reminded me a bit of the PP thread a few months ago, but not nearly as bad.

Jassman, what prompted the Racine Wi post above - I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Dave is back in the office today - maybe we can get him to post some updated picks. And Dave, if you are reading this - also need picks of the new dominator.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Read this thread over. Its my old stommpin grounds. Jeff

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Duh, I guess I ought to pay attention better..... :D :D

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

i'm still laughing , we gave you enough rope . :D :D i see you sold your 43 -congradulations !!

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

No big deal. To anwser your Q, I still have not signed that paper yet.

Re: Sunsation or Nor-Tech
 

Jeff,
Does that mean you don't have a ride for OSS?