TELL ME BEST BOAT UNDER 28ft
#41
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Re: TELL ME BEST BOAT UNDER 28ft
I use the walkway on my Active Thunder (and my old Sonic) religiously. Its the ONLY safe way up onto the bow in my opinion, short of a Cig Tiger with its steps up the cabin door. I use it when washing, waxing, anchoring, put cockpit or full cover on; all of the above.
#43
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Re: TELL ME BEST BOAT UNDER 28ft
The 28 Sonic was discontinued because it was a 'tweener, and not because of any handling problems. 95% of the 28s were built as twins. There are a couple single BBC 28 Sonics out there. I know several folks who have owned 28 Sonics, and they say NOTHING bad about them. Twin SBC or Twin BBC. Yes, the Twin BBC was heavy. Yes the Twin SBC was a tad underpowered, but they all loved them just the same. By saying 'tweener, the 28 was just a shade bigger than the 26. Side by side its very hard to tell them apart. It was not a big seller due to paths people often took through the Sonic linup. Had Sonic maintained the 28 mold/hull, and fitted it with vacuum bagging/Infusion mold production, mated with a single 525EFI or 575SCI, it for sure would have started taking away business from 26 and 31 buyers. It was a smart business decision for them to drop it. Most who bought through the Sonic line of boats started with a 26, then went to a 31; then someday a 358/386. The 28 was just a baby step way of getting into a twin engine boat. The number one selling Sonic is the 31. Mainly because many folks think it is amazing bang for the buck, comparable in many aspects less speed, to a 35 Fountain, (no offense, but I still think the cabin on a 31 Sonic is bigger than a 35 Fountain). The number two selling Sonic is the 26. They just did not have the need to maintain the 28 in the lineup.
#48
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Re: TELL ME BEST BOAT UNDER 28ft
Sonic31, I cannot vouch for a boat I have not seen, however, the price seems fair on CHRIS' boat. There are several ATs for sale, not all actively advertised. Also, when you are shopping, check out how much boat is actually in the water. I say this based on beaks and molded in swim platforms.
A 32 AT has more hull in the water than a 31 Sonic (molded platform).
A 26 Sonic (molded platform and notched transom) and a 25 Baja have about the same. A 27 Fountain has less than both aforementioned (beak and molded in platform). A 25 Checkmate including its bolted on Extreme Marine Tubular Swim Platform, was actually longer than my 26 Sonic.
You are going to have to look at and ride in a few boats. First sea-trial on my Sonic, we could not get on plane, as the engine was being starved due to the fuel switch being knocked out of position. When I knew I wanted the boat, the broker tried to get me to sign all the paperwork before the second sea-trial; and I said forget that. I sign when we get back from the water. Get inside each one. Crawl in the storage compartments and see how they are finished. See where smells might be coming from if used. Get in the bilge, and see what changing the spark plugs is like, and removing the sea-water pump. When it comes to trailering, launching; see how it tows on its trailer. When being launched/retrieved, see how easy it is for the person doing it.
Heck, even which side the gas fill on the boat is, makes a difference, if its on opposite side of the boat than the side your truck is on. Then it takes you 10 extra minutes to fill up both because you have to move around the pumps at the station.
A 32 AT has more hull in the water than a 31 Sonic (molded platform).
A 26 Sonic (molded platform and notched transom) and a 25 Baja have about the same. A 27 Fountain has less than both aforementioned (beak and molded in platform). A 25 Checkmate including its bolted on Extreme Marine Tubular Swim Platform, was actually longer than my 26 Sonic.
You are going to have to look at and ride in a few boats. First sea-trial on my Sonic, we could not get on plane, as the engine was being starved due to the fuel switch being knocked out of position. When I knew I wanted the boat, the broker tried to get me to sign all the paperwork before the second sea-trial; and I said forget that. I sign when we get back from the water. Get inside each one. Crawl in the storage compartments and see how they are finished. See where smells might be coming from if used. Get in the bilge, and see what changing the spark plugs is like, and removing the sea-water pump. When it comes to trailering, launching; see how it tows on its trailer. When being launched/retrieved, see how easy it is for the person doing it.
Heck, even which side the gas fill on the boat is, makes a difference, if its on opposite side of the boat than the side your truck is on. Then it takes you 10 extra minutes to fill up both because you have to move around the pumps at the station.
Last edited by Sydwayz; 09-15-2004 at 08:43 PM.
#49
Re: TELL ME BEST BOAT UNDER 28ft
27 warlock is a true 26.8 feet,and the 29 is 28.6, both very strong boats,looked at fountains, sunsation,sonic,pantera,velocity,at,nordic,ultra,y ou name it in that sixe range, liked the high freeboard of the 27
#50
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Re: TELL ME BEST BOAT UNDER 28ft
mwdill,
If I can get the two topless blondes included option on a Warlock; I will take two.
( < Y > ) ( < Y > )
If I can get the two topless blondes included option on a Warlock; I will take two.
( < Y > ) ( < Y > )
Last edited by Sydwayz; 09-15-2004 at 08:45 PM.