Sonic Redux

[glenncal1]

After what happened to the last Sonic 33, I didn't want to say anything about this one until it was delivered. It arrived at my house today safe and sound if a little dirty. 1985 Sonic 33RS:

Twin 540 CI, Engines are Dart blocks with Dart Pro 1 heads, eagle crankshaft and rods, roller cams, stud girdles, low hours, brand new IMCO full hydraulic steer, TRS drives left and right, drive showers, 26 pitch 4 blade props, K-plane tabs, radar arch with spot light, velvet drive transmissions with added clutches, nice cabin - cooler and enclosed head for porta-potty, drives need paint but mechanically sound.

[Ratickle]

Nice. Can't wait to hear how it performs.....

[Bobcat]

I think I like it better already ! Smart move to get it home first ! Congrats to you !

[Buoy]

Looks sharp!!
Glad this one worked out.

[Ratickle]

Doing some quick calcs.


26 pitch, 1.5 ratio, 12% slip, 5400RPM = 89mph?????


Is that close????

[OneBadInjun]

Although we don't know what h.p. you have, I'll take a stab at around mid 70's. Let us know though, I'm curious.

[Ratickle]

Although we don't know what h.p. you have, I'll take a stab at around mid 70's. Let us know though, I'm curious.

That's what I would expect, but it sure doesn't calculate out to that.....


That is some big potential horsepower for that hull. My 39 Scorpion runs mid seventies with 540's and TRS's with 21 pitch props....

[glenncal1]

Probably won't get to do any max speed runs till next season. Hoping to get out on the water this weekend when it is supposed near 80 on Saturday. Will just be doing some testing on the local reservoir that has a speed limit Prior owner and others who knew him said the boat was about 80mph at sea level.

[fund razor]

Cool boat. Congrats.

[sonicss31]

Looks nice, only thing I would question is the choice of exhaust used on those motors.

[Buoy]

Looks nice, only thing I would question is the choice of exhaust used on those motors.

Have to agree.
Those look a bit "stuffy" for 540's

[glenncal1]

Here are some photos from Sautrday's outing. 80 degree weather, fall colors and two 540's got the boat up to about 55 which is 15 over the limit for this little reservoir, there was still plenty of motor left. Boat really cruises at about 38 mph at 3k rpm. Handles nicely too.

[Ratickle]

Nice, glad you had a decent day......



Any chance you had the RPM at the fastest speed you went? If you do, we can figure out some probable top speeds by that and the cruise RPM/Speed you already posted.......

[glenncal1]

55 was at about 4200, didn't really stay there long enough to get a good reading. Like I said that is way over the speed limit for this reservior and this boat is load, no stealth runs. Will get it on some bigger water next season. Really like it though.

[MILD THUNDER]

Looks nice, only thing I would question is the choice of exhaust used on those motors.

Those are not your typical Merc center rise exhaust. Those are HUGE manifolds. They have individual runners inside the manifold, huge elbow, with a 4.5" opening to the tail pipes. They would probably outflow a GIL or EMI. Only problem is they were known to leak at the risers.