I just cant seem to remember nor find how to set which output a bounced track will default to.

I think a track bounces unto itself. It's not routed to any output as far as I know.

on the bounce "window" select source-category [buses]

 

 
 
Source Bus(es)/Track(s)
Choose the buses or tracks you want to use as a source to create your tracks. If you chose Tracks in the Source Category field, only tracks will show up as choices in this field.

let me re-phrase, After I bounce a track, the track created will sometime be routed to the master bus, sometimes to the Toms bus, etc.
 
There was a time, maybe with the track assistant you could choose a default output.
 
I'm just trying to regain control

Have you seen this ?
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR&language=3&help=Dialogs1.14.html

Thanks but I don't see an answer on that page.
 
All tracks have an output field that is assignable, even if it is assigned to none.
 
I'm looking for the way in which one can choose a default output assignment to a bounced track.

Right click on a bus and select use as default (or similar...not in front of SONAR right now).

That's it, Thank You!
 

Maybe I am missing something, but you can create a track (example, Track 20), and set its output to the desired bus.  Then when you bounce, select Track 20 as the destination.
 
It sounds like you are letting Sonar default to bouncing to a new track.  Sonar is not consistent when adding a new track, cloning a track, etc.  You don't always know what you will get.