[WOT]

32fever - you read my mind. 35 Sonic vs. 38 Cig, not a good comparison. Comparing the 38 Sonic to the Cig would be a much better comparison, however the cabin in the 38 Sonic is identical to the cabin in the 35.

With respect to the v-birth, it's plenty long, but a little tight in the witdh area. We had an insert made that makes a bed out ot the couches. I wish they carried the slider insert through all of their models like the do in the 26's through 31's. Anybody from Sonic listening???

 

[32fever]

While we're on the topic of Sonics, I've seen some 01-02 386's with 575's for sale recently. Anyone know how fast they run with that power? We're surely going to be checking them out in Miami, and I know of a 358 that will be there that is loaded with 575's. They told me just shy of 90 mph on that.

 

[greeneyedbeacher]

GEB, well put, HOWEVER, Since the Sonic was a 358 and the Cig was likely a 38'er, the 386 has more cockpit and engine room, so those two issues go away or even themselves out when you compare the same lengths.
...

Sorry I wasn't specific... at the time we were looking at the 35 Sonic, the Cigs on the showroom floor were a 30' Mystic, a 35', and a 42'. We were comparing the 30' Mystic (closest comparable price) to the Sonic, and even though it's a smaller boat, it's cockpit was similar in size, and the v-birth and engine compartment were roomier than the Sonic's.

Like I said, Cigarettes and Sonics are 2 completely different styles of boat, but the comparison was good for us because it helped us to see that room, but not necessarily headroom, was an important factor for us. We were looking for a 35'-38' boat at the time, and that's when we decided to seriously go for a (used) 38 Top Gun.

Everyone has features that are important to them when looking for a boat, and those features will vary as widely as the number of boaters and boat manufacturers. The point I was trying to make is to look around and directly compare one boat to another until you find what's most important to you (top speed, handling, durability, style, room, power, amenities, price, etc.). Don't worry about what other people think... go for what best suits your needs, and that way you'll always be happy with your decision... until you see something better, that is!

 

[Jayl13]

Ultimately it all comes down to what you want to do with the boat, weekending with performance, your looking at sonic and black thunder (they in business anymore?)
more performance oriented cig, fountain ect. very inexpensive is baja ect.
They all have their own angle of attack on the performance boat market if you can open your mind to how the companies sort of mesh together
think like this
your NOT going to compare an outer limits to a baja
just because they both make say a 42 foot model ect.
The fountain sport cruisers are more along the lines of the sonic equivelant
but the Lightnings and executioners are more better compared to say a cig for perfomance and for cabin amenities
It really boils down to what the buyer wants
this topic was more of opinions on sonic not what would you compare a sonic to.
Honestly flat out I dont think sonic has much competition out there for the market of people they are trying to appeal to.
Fountain sport cruisers are not really their big top item of sale, they focus more on their flat deck performance boats. (ever see fountain PUSH their 38 sport cruiser and heavily advertise it in powerboat? NO)
you get my idea?
Just trying to say compare apples to apples here
and take sonic for what it is
A good rough water boat
Good looking lines, good looking custom paint designs, mercruiser power and drives so that speaks for itself, great amenities and great head room and for not as much $ as some others out there
that is the market they are shooting for and out of the 100% of people that would shop in that market for new or used I think they get about 85% buy rate for people looking for that very specialized market
(who is their competition in this market? Not many manufacters take this angle)
so you have fountain sport crusiers,
you have Black thunder, Baja makes a more comfy line not the outlaw series and I dont think they can compare to sonics with their line since the head room is not there,
In thier market, sonic is definate an awesome bang for the buck and given the chance
I would buy one in a heart beat
See enclosed!!!!!

 

[DonMan]

Just to recap...........

I started this thread in hopes of getting a wide range of opinions about Sonic boats. I feel like I have accomplished that.
The past few days, I have been surfing the `net, making phone calls, reading magazines and talking to everyone who would listen about performance/offshore boats. I`m researching my options for my (hopefully) upcoming boat purchase.
Here is what I have decided:
There are quite a few boats out there in the used market. I myself am looking for a Vee hull, single big block, 25'-28' boat with plenty, I mean plenty of cabin space, but with respectable performance. I can only spend $45K (tax, registration and all). This narrows my choices quite a bit.
For my tastes and needs, I have pretty much decided on a 26' Sonic. I have found a handful in this price range. I love the lines of this boat. The cabin is extremely roomy (the headroom is unbelievable). Color schemes are tasteful and graphics are nice. The biggest downfall to this boat is that it is kinda slow for a 26 footer with big block power. Since that is really my only gripe, I have decided to upgrade with a Whipple or ProCharger or ? at a later time. This should get me the speeds I am looking for.
Now, if I will get off my butt, clean up the Baja, get it advertised and sold, then I can seriously start looking for my perfect boat....

 

[DonMan]

One other thing I have noticed about Sonics: The 28' I have seen, all have a "slider" that pulls out to turn the couches into one large bed. I haven`t seen a 26' with this feature. I really like that idea. Do you know if any 26' were built with this slider? Maybe I should just call Sonic again and ask about this.

 

[greeneyedbeacher]

Yeah, it's funny that they have it in the 28, but not in other models like the 35 (I didn't know it wasn't in the 26)... I agree it's a great feature. Good luck with the new boat... 26 Sonic is a great choice!

 

[gilla]

Does that lost 10mph make a difference now? Will it make a difference later?

 

[DonMan]

Does that lost 10mph make a difference now? Will it make a difference later?

Answer: Probably not, but I would like to be faster than I am now.

 

[WOT]

I believe that the 26 comes with an insert for the couches, but it's not a slider. (Don't quote me though, check with someone who has a 26)

 

[Tim G.]

Slider

Nope, I don't think my buddies 26 has anything there.
I looked at a 31 that did.

Weird why they wouldn't do it for a boat that can really use it..

Sonic builds a nice boat, without doubt. But, what other boats have you considered?
I considered the 26 sonic, and actually came very close to buying one. But, I went with a 28 Pantera...
Be sure to let me know if you want to race...

 

[DonMan]

I am also considering a Velocity 260. The more I think about the heavy weight of the Sonic, the less I like it. I haven`t seen very many Panteras. The few I have seen were very cool. Do they make a 25'-27' Vee? Cabin space? What kind of speeds with a 454 Mag?

 

[Tim G.]

Pantera

Pantera builds a 24 or 28. The 24 is very cool, but it's small (7 ft. Beam) Fast as all get with a single 496HO.
The 28 is much bigger. He'll set tham up with an enclosed head, and all the other accessories that you want.
Single big block should run mid/upper 60s. My twin 502 Mag boat knocks the rev limiter at 81.

Like I said, I almost bought a 260 Prowler at the Ft.Lauderdale show. It was an '03 with 496HO.
I have quite a bit of seat time in my friends Prowler. But, when Jo took me out in the Pantera... Thay was all she wrote..

Talk to Jo at Pantera. he's always willing to chat and quote you pricing. You'll be happy with the boat.

Be sure to tell him that Tim Gallagher sent you, and to hook you up with the smokin' deal.

I have plenty of pics of my boat that I can email you if you like...

 

[RCHEVELLE71]

I dont know too much abouth them, I agree with the paint on the Sonic ia awesome looking, i drive by the Factory on my way to work every morning, and cant help but look in the parking lot to see whats new out there. There are a ton of them on the water down here, they look and sound great.

 

[Guest]

Ever considered a Powerquest 260. I am selling my 01 and it allready has a Pro-Charged 454. I think we should be able to get real close on price and boat has a very large cabin for its size. I almost bought a Velocity 280 before I bought this boat, but one ride and I was sold. It had more room in the cockpit and the cabin, and the fit and finish was better IMPO. Good luck selling the Baja.

 

[greeneyedbeacher]

... I am selling my 01 and it allready has a Pro-Charged 454. ...

phastang,
Nice looking boat... what are you going to buy? BTW: That's beautiful water in the pic... where was it taken?

 

[Guest]

phastang,
Nice looking boat... what are you going to buy? BTW: That's beautiful water in the pic... where was it taken?

Beacher-Thanks for the compliment. This picture was taken at crab island in Destin Florida the day i bought the boat. It has spent the rest of its life in freshwater(although not as pretty) in southern Louisiana. I have narrowed it to three boats: Cigarette Bullett with twin 600's, 32 Active thunder with 502's, and an extremely clean,but older Scarab 38KV. Decisions.....Decisions.......

 

[TSTUCK]

I was reading the magazine Boating (January 2003) issue last night and they have an article about comparing Cigarette, Fountain, Formula, and Sonic in the 30 foot range. It is a good article, when all said and done they said the Sonic was the best boat for the money. They didn't mention anything about how they ride at WOT. You may want to see if you can get that article, it might help you out. Good luck.

 

[Canada Jeff]

I remember that article, did they test a 31' or 28'? I think it was the 31'. Beautifull boat!

 

[TSTUCK]

Your right it was a 31'. I liked the one statement. If you have deep pockets the Cigarette was the way to go. doing 100.7mph must feel great.