New 2007 Sonic USA

Sonic Boats History

In 1976, former university of Texas architecture student Jay Ross found himself running an automobile accessory business in Ft.Lauderdale. His hobby was fast powerboats, and when his friends saw his 454cu inch powered jet boat, the idea for Sonic Boats was realized.


“This first design, just 21 feet long was in demand before the company even existed, “says Ross. “I decided to dedicate one side of the auto business to boat building, and Sonic Boats was born.” The next addition to the fledgling company was a design based on the Donzi 24 hull mold, which Ross had acquired in those early years. The larger Sonic 33 was based on the Coyote hull mold, which was also purchased by Ross. Doing business as JR Custom Marine, the company soon had a new home, and the automobile accessory business was discontinued. “These were exciting times for performance boats. Cigarette and Donzi were just getting popular, and the expanding market made it easy for companies to grow quickly.” Sonic Boats was one of the pioneers of this early South Florida boating trend.


Over the years, tastes would change. Some early Sonic Boats were outboard powered, the radar arches have come and gone, but the consistent, predictable handling of the Sonic Boats hull was always requested by both beginning and experienced offshore performance enthusiasts. By 1992, the company was a major player in performance boating, with models from ranging from 22 feet up into the forties. Sonic Boats Racing became an established entity, with dozens of trophies won for offshore competition.


With the advent of vacuum infusion molding and vinyl ester resins for Sonic Boats hulls, the technology and durability of the product has improved with the times. Electronic engine controls, like Mercury Smartcraft, have revolutionized the efficiency of power plants, and CAD designs has.


Today, Sonic Boats is part of a family of brands owned by CSI Marine. Dedicated to improve the product, CSI marine remains customer focused, just like the Founder of Sonic Boats, Joy Ross.


The CSI Group of Hudson, NH acquired the tooling and marketing rights for the Sonic Boats and Dakota brand of boats. These two lines have joined with CSI’s Mares line of luxury high performance powercats to form a new division: CSI Marine. Each brand will continue to be sold and marketed under its traditional name with operations merged under one roof.


CSI Group, founded in 1972, is a privately owned diversified manufacturer of infrastructure products and machinery serving the construction, communications, utilities, government and transportation industries. Based in Hudson, NH, CSI Group companies provide a wide range of products and services internationally, including highly engineered manufactured concrete products, pre fabricated and electro mechanically outfitted equipment buildings, material handling systems, premium steel forms and tooling; and, the mobilization of facilities to construct segmental tunnel rings for tunnel projects. CSI Group designs and manufactures superior quality, innovative products for the most demanding applications and environments.


Breaking New Barriers

The all-new Sonic Boats built by CSI Marine will continue to break new barriers! A great high performance boat at a great price.


At Sonic Boats we use the best materials and latest technology, including 100% vacuum-infused vinylester hulls, Livorsi instruments and controls, EFX Graphics, and Premier Performance Interiors. Sonic Boats is still a rough water high-performance boat, but with a luxurious cabin and over 6 ft headroom on most models! All this, plus easy handling without sacrificing the sleek styling.