Honest opinion of OMC drives

[chuck in WA]

OK Gents, hopefully I won't start a war here. I currently have a 1985 Sea Ray 17 footer with Alpha outdrive. I've been very happy with the boat in the 4 years I've had it, but I'm considering a slightly newer and larger boat with cuddy cabin (21-23 foot range, mid 90's or newer). In surfing the local Craigslist ads, I've seen a couple of Four Winns that seem to fit the bill. They all have OMC drives. I've heard to stay away from OMC, but wanted to get this group's opinion before I cross these boats off my list. About the only thing I think I know about OMC is that there were "stringer" drives until the mid 80's (stay away), and Cobra drives after that (decent???). Please correct me if I'm mistaken. The stringer is easily distinguishable by the large "boot". So,

1. Parts availablity and expense?
2. Any BENEFITS to OMC over a Merc?
3. Drawbacks?
4. Particular problem areas to look for if/when I go check out these boats?

Thanks in advance to all. I guess I'm trying to figure out if I should belive the hype and stay away from OMC, or is it more of a Ford/Chevy thing and based on bragging rights!

 

[fuzzybob]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

They've not been made for about 10 years. Some parts probably hard to find.... probably expensive.... not so many pros around to work on them. That would be enough for me. Don't think it's so much a ford chevy thing as it is the reasons listed above. There's still a bunch of them out there working just fine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

I have owned both a stringer and a Cobra and had good luck with both. When I went looking for a replacement boat, OMC was not an option.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

I've owned my Cobra since '92. I've had no problem getting parts. It runs well, but keeping the shift cable properly adjusted is the main concern. Unless you plan on doing your own maintenance, forget OMC. Most mechanics won't touch them. Don't even consider a stringer drive. Parts are scarce, very expensive & they are a maintenance nightmare. I would not buy another OMC powered boat & I don't recomend to anyone else buying one. Next year I plan on buying another boat, & it won't be powered by an OMC.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

For the past few days I've had my '85 Series 400 (small engined stringer) torn apart putting new seals in it. Like a lot of things that are like 24 years old, things aren't going to be in the best shape. Not sure of the hours or history on my drive but the gears and bearings are still in good shape along with the shift dogs.

I have an ebasicpower.com printed catalog and it pretty much has all the parts for it at reasonable prices I don't see the problem in getting OMC parts. Only thing I don't see, that I need, is the seals for the shift mechanism itself.

Things like shimming tools and other special tools made for them will be hard to find though if you're doing your own work.

I don't regret buying mine and plan on sticking with it

 

[edjunior]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

A lot of good stuff, both pro and con above. And I think it very well summed up. What you're looking for (based on the years) is the Cobra, so I can't speak to that, but I've had my stringer now for 2 years, and I got it in exceptional shape. The PO really took good care of it (I believe he had an OMC certified mechanic...lucky guy). It runs great and I have had to do nothing but change the oils (knockin' on wood!!). I have found a couple of places here in the Houston area that can work on them, but many more that won't even talk to you once you mention OMC.

It seems that Cobra parts are a little more readily available than stringer parts, but as mentioned above, they can be found. Like anything with a boat, I suppose it depends on how much money (and/or skill) you have to maintain it. I probably won't go with another OMC, knowing now what I do, but I surely don't regret this one.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

I have owned both Cobra and Stringer drives..
The Stringer i would never buy again.
The Cobra drive i had worked fine but i bought the factory service manual and did all my own work.
The lower shift cables are super touchy to get adjusted right.
95% of the shops won't touch a OMC..and finding a tech that was actually trained on them is near impossible.
So if you plan on doing ALL of the needed service on it and the boat is at a steal of a price then maybe consider it.
Myself i would never buy another one.
With a Merc or Volvo you can find about any shop will do the work.

I see many Cobra powered boats for sale around here and they ask way more than its worth..

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

I was considering buying one but the members here suggested against it and I took their advice. It was a good decision in my opinion.
I had the Merc powered boat out one Saturday when I had family visiting and I trashed the impeller in some mud and weeds. I went to my local boat parts shop and noticed all they carried was Merc and Volvo parts. Since I have a Merc they had my impeller in stock. The impeller was changed that same Saturday and was ready to go out on Sunday. Had it been an OMC I would have had to order the part and not get to take my family out on Sunday.
As far as I know they are just as good as Merc but not being able to quickly get parts is a bummer.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

Thanks for the input gents. I currently do all the basic maintenance on my Merc and have never had to take it to the shop, but I do take comfort in knowing the shop down the street can take care of it if a problem ever gets beyond my skill level. That may not happen with an OMC I suppose.

As a follow up question - if I were able to swing a REALLY good deal on one of these OMC powered boats I've been looking at (good enough to not care about the condition of the outdrive), what would be the options for swapping in a replacement? Can a Merc bolt up easily? Or does another aftermarket manufactuerer make some type of adapter? Thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

Can a Merc bolt up easily? Or does another aftermarket manufactuerer make some type of adapter?

Nope,+ No....

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

I would definitely stay away from the stringer. If I could get a really really good deal on a Cobra, I dn't know if I'd shy away from it.

I've read that Sterndrive engineering is coming out with an adapter so that you can put an Alpha outdrive onto an OMC cobra boat.. Don't know much about it other than that.. http://www.sterndrive.cc/index.htm

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

Thanks for the input gents. I currently do all the basic maintenance on my Merc and have never had to take it to the shop, but I do take comfort in knowing the shop down the street can take care of it if a problem ever gets beyond my skill level. That may not happen with an OMC I suppose.

As a follow up question - if I were able to swing a REALLY good deal on one of these OMC powered boats I've been looking at (good enough to not care about the condition of the outdrive), what would be the options for swapping in a replacement? Can a Merc bolt up easily? Or does another aftermarket manufactuerer make some type of adapter? Thanks again.

I've heard that he cutout for a Merc is the same as OMC. However, to do it you have to put in a Merc transom assembly, shift cables, etc. If you're gonna do that, you may as well buy a Merc or Volvo powered boat.

 

[danond]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

There is no such thing as "good enough condition to not care about the outdrive" unless the boat is made from gold instead of fiberglass.

The outdrive is the most important, expensive, and unreliable part.

There is no "good deal" on an OMC, even a Cobra, unless its free. Then, you sell the parts, sell the boat, and get a Merc or Volvo.

I currently own an OMC and while it works great and gets us on the lake every weekend possible, I MUST service it myself, and trust me that is a serious pain in the butt.

This is not, and never was, an OMC bash-fest. It's just the situation. They're out of business and there will never be more, or better, parts than whats available now. It'll continue to dwindle.

Last thing - the OMC Cobra to Merc Apha I swap is one to one. The transom and engine mounts (assuming the same engine) are the same. OMC did that on purpose to gain market share without having to tell manufacturers to design their boats differently. Plan on swapping *everything*.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

Last thing - the OMC Cobra to Merc Apha I swap is one to one. The transom and engine mounts (assuming the same engine) are the same. OMC did that on purpose to gain market share without having to tell manufacturers to design their boats differently. Plan on swapping *everything*.

The transom assembly is not the same. The cutout is the same and that is it.

 

[danond]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

The transom assembly is not the same. The cutout is the same and that is it.

I get that. By one-to-one I mean if it was installed by OMC, remove it. Aside from the block/carb, the rest needs to go.

Engine, drive, controls, transom assembly, drive, etc etc.

 

[Thad]

Re: Honest opinion of OMC drives

Honestly...use the stringer to hold some trees on the bottom and next year, you have a new favorite fishin' hole.
As for the Cobra, the only thing it had going for it, Volvo took and scraped the rest.

You said honest