Anyone ever seen a "sonic" boat before?

[Headless hula]

specifially a 31 Sonic SS?

its an east coast thing, so i get it if no one here is a fan...

just looking for feedback.

 

[fmo24]

There is a member with a 44 or 45 footer I Believe.

 

[Headless hula]

 

[Runs2rch]

There are a few sonics out west also. I have always liked them.

 

[Headless hula]

 

[RiverDave]

There’s a few of them out here and I have always liked them. There was one about that size that was used for ski racing awhile back. Really nice looking boat!

 

[Headless hula]

There’s a few of them out here and I have always liked them. There was one about that size that was used for ski racing awhile back. Really nice looking boat!

well, i think this is more in line with my budget than what you and I spoke about last week. Also going to fit my purposes a little better too. At least this year...lol!
Im leaning towards picking this up this fall. Priced right, know the owner, have lots of history on the boat. Its currently in Baltimore.

Who knows.

 

[240Hallett]

Which trailer will be under it?

 

[Bpracing1127]

I’ve been in a 28 with a hp500 back in the day. Nice Boat killer fade graphics too. Handled very well

 

[Headless hula]

Which trailer will be under it?

current owner had a custom aluminum built by Manning. tandem 7500# axles. The trailer in the first pic.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

They are nice boats. What does it have for power?

This is a good place to inquire about it:

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/sonic-46/

 

[Headless hula]

They are nice boats. What does it have for power?

This is a good place to inquire about it:

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/sonic-46/

Warmed up 454's

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

Not sure how much "warmed up" 7.4 motor make for power but straight hull (no steps) so I think MPI motors would get you into mid to high 60's, Mag motors low 70's. Late 90's or early 2000's boat? Looks clean. Low hours?

 

[Headless hula]

Not sure how much "warmed up" 7.4 motor make for power but straight hull (no steps) so I think MPI motors would get you into mid to high 60's, Mag motors low 70's. Late 90's or early 2000's boat? Looks clean. Low hours?

it runs 75 in its current state, outta gas and a life jacket on board. The motors used to be mpi 454's. they got cams, intakes, cmi's, DUI ignition, and carbs.
yep straight bottom. its a '97.

 

[Gelcoater]

Not sure how much "warmed up" 7.4 motor make for power but straight hull (no steps) so I think MPI motors would get you into mid to high 60's, Mag motors low 70's. Late 90's or early 2000's boat? Looks clean. Low hours?

Doesn't really matter what warmed up is, I saw the Hula build thread!

Looking forward to watching project Sonic

 

[Headless hula]

Doesn't really matter what warmed up is, I saw the Hula build thread!

Looking forward to watching project Sonic

itll be project "vodka and sonic"....


Johnny and i spoke about it at length yesterday.
itll be an interesting project for sure.

 

[240Hallett]

current owner had a custom aluminum built by Manning. tandem 7500# axles. The trailer in the first pic.

Nice!

 

[fat rat]

I've seen plenty, but I'm on the east coast (MD). I've always liked there looks.

 

[HST4ME]

I have a few friends with them, not bad boats. They do run out of bottom in the mid 70's.

 

[twocents]

Here's an attempt at a history lesson on Sonic -- and it's been a very long time so I'm not taking any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies. Turn back the calendar to the early 1970s when offshore racing was really offshore. A boat designer by the name of Jean Claude Simon developed a 38-foot deep vee (no steps) under the brand name of Cobra. Racer Joel Halpern very successfully campaigned (east and west coast) a 38' Cobra under the "Beep Beep" banner. The boat didn't have quite as much top end as the Cigarettes and Bertrams of that era but when the water turned rough it was not a contest, the Cobra was hands-down superior. Halpern won a bunch of races and several national championships. A few years later another east coast racer by the name of Charlie McCarthy started Banana Boat company which was a slightly modified Cobra. McCarthy's "Top Banana" boat had similar success offshore, winning races when things got rough. Eventually, Sonic Boats emerged some years later, still using the basic Jean Claude Simon original bottom configuration. If top speed speed isn't your primary goal, that 31 Sonic you're looking at is most likely a wave crusher.

 

[Headless hula]

I've seen plenty, but I'm on the east coast (MD). I've always liked there looks.

One of the things that i like about it is the flat area on the deck.

 

[Headless hula]

Here's an attempt at a history lesson on Sonic -- and it's been a very long time so I'm not taking any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies. Turn back the calendar to the early 1970s when offshore racing was really offshore. A boat designer by the name of Jean Claude Simon developed a 38-foot deep vee (no steps) under the brand name of Cobra. Racer Joel Halpern very successfully campaigned (east and west coast) a 38' Cobra under the "Beep Beep" banner. The boat didn't have quite as much top end as the Cigarettes and Bertrams of that era but when the water turned rough it was not a contest, the Cobra was hands-down superior. Halpern won a bunch of races and several national championships. A few years later another east coast racer by the name of Charlie McCarthy started Banana Boat company which was a slightly modified Cobra. McCarthy's "Top Banana" boat had similar success offshore, winning races when things got rough. Eventually, Sonic Boats emerged some years later, still using the basic Jean Claude Simon original bottom configuration. If top speed speed isn't your primary goal, that 31 Sonic you're looking at is most likely a wave crusher.

i have been doing some reading about them, and yes... wave crushers. it would also seem that with some fooling around they can be made to haul some ass. Should be right up my alley.

 

[DaBank]

I had a 28 with a Volvo 600. Good would hull, interior was basic bare bones east coast style. With today custom west coast interior shops for $8k you would have a really nice boat that would look current.

 

[fat rat]

One of the things that i like about it is the flat area on the deck.

I saw one for sale down Rt5 in Southern MD last fall, looks very simular.

Should make for a good bay boat!

 

[spectras only]

28, 31 Sonic is an absolute wave buster hull. We had a couple running in our poker run events here on the west coast.
While they were in the middle of the pack [ needed serious power to push it faster ] it represented the original styling of real offshore boats from way back like two cents mentioned. I always preferred boats with flat decks and Sonic was one of them. My all time favourite boat of the 70's and 80's from the east coast was the 24' Carrera. They loved flying in the snot without breaking up. Finding a 24' would be a diamond in the rough to restore. Found this one with different deck but still a great deal for someone getting into big water boating.
https://boats-from-usa.com/sonic/sonic-33-se-967

 

[t&y]

So basically you need this boat for Havazoo or Parker on a big weekend

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

Here's an attempt at a history lesson on Sonic -- and it's been a very long time so I'm not taking any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies. Turn back the calendar to the early 1970s when offshore racing was really offshore. A boat designer by the name of Jean Claude Simon developed a 38-foot deep vee (no steps) under the brand name of Cobra. Racer Joel Halpern very successfully campaigned (east and west coast) a 38' Cobra under the "Beep Beep" banner. The boat didn't have quite as much top end as the Cigarettes and Bertrams of that era but when the water turned rough it was not a contest, the Cobra was hands-down superior. Halpern won a bunch of races and several national championships. A few years later another east coast racer by the name of Charlie McCarthy started Banana Boat company which was a slightly modified Cobra. McCarthy's "Top Banana" boat had similar success offshore, winning races when things got rough. Eventually, Sonic Boats emerged some years later, still using the basic Jean Claude Simon original bottom configuration. If top speed speed isn't your primary goal, that 31 Sonic you're looking at is most likely a wave crusher.

I know Charlie used molds from Aronow (he told me) but I don't think they were Cobras. Don't recall if they were Cigs or Formulas or what. I'd have to go back and check the dates to figure it out. Or ask Charlie (that's him on the right).

I agree with everyone about the Sonics. I have never owned one but I do prefer a bit less top end in favor of crushing waves. It's not how fast you can go, it's how fast you can go in big water!

 

[Headless hula]

So basically you need this boat for Havazoo or Parker on a big weekend

i wouldn't want a ticket for boating at Parker while its closed.

 

[twocents]

ChiliPepperGarage is correct that Charlie McCarthy did get started in the boat business when Aronow sold him a couple of his smaller molds that Cigarette was no longer using. It wasn't until 1977 however when McCarthy approached Jean-Claude Simon about designing him a 38-footer for his Banana Boat Company. In retrospect, the 38 that Jean-Claude delivered to McCarthy was a slightly modified Cobra like the earlier "Beep Beep" boat. McCarthy built himself a 38 race boat out of the new mold, called Top Banana (#60) and was very successful. Jean-Claude also built and marketed that same boat with a somewhat different deck configuration under the "Coyote" brand name until the early 1980s. It was Jean-Claude who then sold the "Coyote" molds to Sonic and the recycling continued.

 

[Headless hula]

sure are some interesting stories out there!

 

[spectras only]

two cents, I wonder if you know a real history about the 47 Arronow.
Sorry to thread jack Hula's story here.
Friend picked up this boat in California years ago, thinking it was a Pantera. I talked to Jo Pepe who said it wasn't his, so I found out later it is a 45 Arronow with a 47' length. My friend had it re-painted, it's all black, now.
Here's the boat.

 

[Andy01]

Great boats, the owners love them. They have a strong following in the North East.

Be sure to get a survey from a SAMS or NAMS surveyor. Write a agreed value insurance policy on it based on your sales price.
http://www.marinesurvey.org/

 

[Motor Boater]

My buddy had a 31 with HP500’s in it. I rode in the boat a bunch of times and really liked it. It ran hard and was super solid. I’d buy one in a heartbeat

 

[Headless hula]

Great boats, the owners love them. They have a strong following in the North East.

Be sure to get a survey from a SAMS or NAMS surveyor. Write a agreed value insurance policy on it based on your sales price.
http://www.marinesurvey.org/

Thanks Andy!

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Looks like a good Lake Michigan boat.

 

[nameisbond]

Charlie McCarthy was a poster on a few forums including OSO. Not sure if he still posts.

 

[Andy01]

If you need a pre-purchase quote give me a call anytime.

 

[Hullbilly]

well, i think this is more in line with my budget than what you and I spoke about last week. Also going to fit my purposes a little better too. At least this year...lol!
Im leaning towards picking this up this fall. Priced right, know the owner, have lots of history on the boat. Its currently in Baltimore.

Who knows.

So then the hula will be up fer sale?

 

[Runs2rch]

Buy it!!!!

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

two cents, I wonder if you know a real history about the 47 Arronow.
Sorry to thread jack Hula's story here.
Friend picked up this boat in California years ago, thinking it was a Pantera. I talked to Jo Pepe who said it wasn't his, so I found out later it is a 45 Arronow with a 47' length. My friend had it re-painted, it's all black, now.
Here's the boat.

I think the biggest boat the Nunez's built was a 41. Always been a big fan of Pantera's although there are a lot of bad stories about them getting boats built. I was seriously looking at a 24 many years ago but ended up going bigger. Had a buddy that had a real nice 28 that I used to run with in SoCal.

This 47 Aronow is an interesting boat. Definitely not a Pantera with built in swim step (as far as I know all Pantera's are flat transom boats) and even though it says Pantera Racing on the side there is no cat eyes logo. I'll bet Tank knows something about it. Maybe he'll see this and chime in.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

ChiliPepperGarage is correct that Charlie McCarthy did get started in the boat business when Aronow sold him a couple of his smaller molds that Cigarette was no longer using. It wasn't until 1977 however when McCarthy approached Jean-Claude Simon about designing him a 38-footer for his Banana Boat Company. In retrospect, the 38 that Jean-Claude delivered to McCarthy was a slightly modified Cobra like the earlier "Beep Beep" boat. McCarthy built himself a 38 race boat out of the new mold, called Top Banana (#60) and was very successful. Jean-Claude also built and marketed that same boat with a somewhat different deck configuration under the "Coyote" brand name until the early 1980s. It was Jean-Claude who then sold the "Coyote" molds to Sonic and the recycling continued.

Interesting info. Thanks for posting.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

Charlie McCarthy was a poster on a few forums including OSO. Not sure if he still posts.

He posts on OSO in the Classic Offshore section frequently. Top Banana is his user name. He is big on promoting HORBA (Historic Offshore Boat Racing Asscio). A few years ago I really wanted to buy a 31 Sutphen with a pretty good racing pedigree and famous boat to go HOBRA racing but it sold before I could get my $ together for it. Just as well, as boat racing is just too danged expensive.

 

[Headless hula]

Buy it!!!!

So then the hula will be up fer sale?

turning the hula hut into a multi boat storage facility...

however.....

everything has a price. lol......

 

[rrrr]

Does a 1977 Tri-Sonic tri hull with a Merc four banger and a Berkeley jet count?
.

 

[Headless hula]

Does a 1977 Tri-Sonic tri hull with a Merc four banger and a Berkeley jet count?
.

yes.

 

[spectras only]

ChiliPepperGarage, we know it's not a Pantera. It is rare with kevlar deck, maybe 4 or 5 built in Florida. It's an Aronow Alpha 45 https://www.google.ca/search?q=Aronow+45+boat&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=_bM5Kozr4pKr4M%3A%2ChtQO390jwRvlar OVOM%2C_&usg=__bJI9Z5Y3Eg7TcDMJTVFp7Xxc4AA=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3zK_07f7YAhVO12MKHRgbAdwQ9QEIKzAB#imgrc=_bM5Kozr4pKr4M:
Looking for some real info and stories on the build.