1995 Seaswirl Striper question

[ILOVEBEER]

Hey guys - I am looking to buy a 21' Striper and I found a pretty nice one that needs a motor (302 Ford) for $8,500. It has a newly rebuilt OMC outdrive but it needs a new motor. The boat is pretty well outfitted with electronics, outriggers, downriggers, BBQ, livewell, etc and the hull is in great shape but the trailer is so-so. It has a little rust that needs to be repaired. The boat has a factory hard top which is sweet. I just want to know your thoughts. Does this sound like a good deal?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

without doing any research, it sounds like it may be an average deal. could be a great deal if you get a good price on power. all depends on if you want to do that work. don't get swayed too much by electronics, gear, etc. unless it's all brand new, it shouldn't carry much value.

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Thanks Matt. The electronics are new and very nice. I found a nice rebuilt marine 302 for $900.00 with a 2 year warranty; and yes I would be doing the install myself.

Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

just be aware that it is a OMC outdrive, no longer supported with parts, etc. when they are gone, they're gone. i think it is too too much without power.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

I agree with TD, the value should be adjusted by $3-4000 it would cost to have the engine replaced. If you can do it for $1000, then that is a bonus.

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

From what I have been able to find, a comparable boat with a hard top goes for $14,000 - $20,000. If I can get the boat with a new power train for under $10,000 isn't that a good deal?

 

[180shabah]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Half price for a boat without power could be a good deal if everything else is fine. It is still an OMC. We still don't know which one, or how old etc...

If you think this is the boat for you, then spend a few hundred dollars and have it professionally surveyed.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Oops, I read the thread title several times, it just never sunk in. It's a '95, which means it is a Cobra. Still should be surveyed though.

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

I am not familiar with the difference between OMC and a "Cobra". Is the Cobra better?

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

i'd think a professional survey would be in order too.
i'd also wonder why the previous owner is willing to sell it w/o an engine. he really takes a loss by not selling a operational boat...... why?

it's an omc cobra
like mine is a mercruiser model 1
it's just the name of the drive..... omc is the mfg..........was the mfg.....

 

[180shabah]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Yup.

OMC = manufacturer
Cobra = model

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

OMC made the Stringer drive until 1985 (big rubber boot around the transom, ball gear drive) and then came out with the Cobra in 1986 (more like a Mercruiser, u-joint drive and trim rams to lift the drive). Most agree the Cobra was better than the Stringer but not all do. The original pure OMC Cobra was made until 1993. OMC then went into a joint venture with Volvo Penta, together they made the OMC Cobra SX and Volvo SX, which used OMC's transom design and some castings, and Volvo's cone clutch. So if the drive train is a really a 95, it is the joint venture model, same as a Volvo. I'd do careful checking to make sure of what you have there. I have an old Cobra, and it hasn't been much trouble, but good techs are hard to find. The joint venture one you can take to a Volvo mechanic. If that's the one in there, I would check out the rest of the boat very carefully (Look for wood rot especially) and get prices on Marine 302s.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Thanks Lou, thats a great history for us non OMC folks.

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Thanks a lot for the replies. I am going to see the boat again tomorrow so I will post some pictures so maybe you guys can let me know exactly what it is.

Thanks again!!

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Ok, here are a few pictures. What do you think?

Does anyone know a good mechanic in the Ventura/Santa Barbara CA area who could go with me to look at the boat?

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

imho, i'd be worried about the stains down the stern from the swim platform... sign that the screws may not be sealed... looks like rust but could be rot juice.... don't think i'd like to work in that engine compartment either.... looks real tight. can ya get yer wrench on the starter. or a sparkplug socket on the plugs? the stickers NSF would worry me too.... might sum it up... non sufficient funds.........

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Well if that is really a 95 boat, the newest the drive train could be is a 1993, because that is the original OMC design Cobra drive for sure (86-93). So the parts availability and available techs that can adjust it will be limited. In addition, some of the later model OMCs had an ignition system (electronic) that are very hard to find parts for. It's a Ford motor and the Ford powered OMCs can be hardest of all to get parts for. Get the engine # if you can to find out what year it really is. The access to the starter looks pretty tight. I'd check the screws for the transom platform as well, if loosen one and see brown water come out, wet or bad transom, walk away. The rest of the boat looks good.

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: 1995 Seaswirl Striper question

Update:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=237042



Thanks!