1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

[Shane26]

Ok let me brief you of my situation. I currently have a 1989 Bayliner with a 125 force engine that everyone is telling me is a bad engine even though I may have a good one. So I started looking for a new boat in my price range. The bayliner was my first boat and I bought it late last season so I don't know a whole lot about boats. I looked at a 1991 Four Winns Freedom 195 19.5 ft Cuddy cabin with a High Output 4.3L V6 I/O OMC Cobra. The exterior is in excellant shape but the interior does need some loving. The floor seems pretty solid. It's mostly the seats that have to be re-done. The motor started up right off and sounds very smooth. This boat has not been ran for a few years but back then the guy replaced the hoses and stuff like that. He is also the original owner and just bought a bigger new boat. He wants $4500.00 dollars and won't move in his price. Can anyone give me any advice or input about this boat and whether or not it's worth it. We are going to take it out on the water on Monday to test drive it since it hasn't been out in the water in 2 years. Please help. Also if anyone has any advice on what they think I could sell my 1989 Bayliner Capri 19ft boat for. It has a all new canopy top for it and interior is in excellant shape. Thanks Shane

 

[tommays]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

there is nothing worng with OMC but you need to be aware that they are out of business<br /><br />volvo bought OMC around 1993 so i dont no were a 1991 would fall<br /><br />parts can be gotten for the most part but service may be great in you area or not<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

So do you think the boat is worth the money based on what I said in the previous posting? I know four winns is supposed to be a good boat. Just wasn't that familiar with the OMC cobra motor.

 

[tommays]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

its your money but you have allready seen what its like to own a boat with a drive that is no longer supported <br /><br /><br />i would be looking for something a merc or a volvo modern enough to have have service and parts easy to get<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I called the marina today and they talked like it would be fairly easily to get parts for so I guess I was assuming that OMC cobra engines were still around. I don't test the boat until Monday so I have a few days to get some good input from all of you plus talk to the local marinas around here. So please everyone let me know there opinions good or bad. Thanks Shane

 

[sea wolf]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I've owned an OMC Cobra for over 10 yrs. Although I've had a ball with my boat, the drawback is the Cobra. To be frank they are a pain in the ***. You will spend hours trying to get the shift mechanism correct, then when u think u have it right, u will go back & do it again & again. It's a lousy design & one of the reasons OMC is caput. I recently spent 4 hours trying to get the drive back on because that also is a hassle. So, I had to go buy a new u joint bellows because the original design is also **** poor. Most folks that have an OMC don't know of the new design, so they break there back trying to get the lower unit back on, when the real reason is the original u joint bellows designed by OMC sucks. Before u buy this boat, take it to a mechanic that knows OMC & have him look it over & make sure the shift cable & the entire shift mechanism is adjusted correctly. Good luck. One more thing. Pray u never have a seal go bad in the drive. There are more seals & o-rings in these cobras than the law should allow. I've chased a leak in mine more than once, which resulted in me having to tear down the entire lower unit to find the problem, not fun let me tell u, especially in the middle of summer.. If I was in the market for a boat, I'd look for a Volvo, hands down. Just my $.02.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

You are looking at a boat that eats time and money and that no one wants to buy.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

The guy told me that he change the bellows and u joints 2 years ago. This is all good information that everyone is giving me. I don't want to buy another boat that the engine has a repetation like the force. Is there anything else I should check into? I don't know what I am going to do. I think I am going to keep looking to see what is out there in my price range. On monkey ads I found a 1989 20ft cuddy maxum with a 3.0 merc for 4 grand. How were the merc engine back there? Any other advice on a the cobra engine?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

The cobra engine is a GM, I believe. For me it's been a good runner. As long as he has kept up with maintenance such as oil changes it should be ok. By the way, in the 19-20ft range, a cuddy in my opinion is wasted space. The cuddy is too small for comfort. You're better off with a bow rider. Again just my opinion. Also, the maxum is underpowered.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I have a 19 ft bow rider right now that is a 125 hp L drive force. I am selling it because it's a force boat. It's usually my girlfriend and I that go out so we don't really need the front space because no one ever sits up there. Someone else already told me the same thing about a 20ft cuddy. Luckily I am only 5' 6" but my girlfriend is 5' 9". Sucks for her if we get it. I am not sure I am just checking on people's opinion on the boat and engine in general. Thanks and let me know anymore comments you may have as well as others. Thanks Shane

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I have a 19' cuddy. There is plenty of room for overnighting (including nocturnal extracurricular activities). It's not a place you want to hang out during the day, but it's fine for over-nighting. For us (wife and son), a bow rider would be a waste of space. As far as OMC, parts are available but expensive.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I have a 1988 4.3 OMC. It is harder to find people that know how to set them up right. Once thery are adjusted correctly they are fine. Mine shifts better than much newer Merc Alphas. Make sure you can get it to a really good (OMC trained) mechanic, if not I'd pass and get a newer Four Winns with a Volvo. BTW, the 94 and up OMC Cobras are the joint venture models, and that means they are the same as a Volvo SX. Four Wins makes a great boat. If you can spend a little more and get a newer one you will be better off.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Thanks I am trying to find someone that knows boats better than me to come with me tomorrow for the test ride. I also want to see who did all of his work on it and ask them about the boat. I would like to get a newer boat and I am looking but I am just trying to find something in my price that is decent and needs a little loving. And it also depends on how much I make on the boat I currently have.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I am calling the local marinas tomorrow to see what feed back they have about this 1991 four winns freedom 195 boat with a high output 4.3L V6 COBRA Engine and see what they suggest. Of course it would be great if the guy would drop his price from 4500.00 dollars. Any other input out there. I am going to hang loose first and not be too eager to find a boat.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Does anyone know any good boats for sale around Plattsburgh, New York or a little driving distance?

 

[jeff13601]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Have you taken a day and check the marinas in alex bay or sacketts or henderson harbor. They are full of used boats

 

[bigdaddyofhouse]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

For around $5500 you should be able to find a nice boat with good seats. I would ofer him $3500 and walk out the door. Good looking seats alone are going to run you about $600.<br /> Now about the omc. I have one and have no problems (KNOCK ON WOOD) but I would not buy another one. My next boat will have a volvo!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I don't want to buy another boat that the engine has a repetation like the force.

In that case,.............<br /><br />Stay Away from OMCs.................. <br /><br />All Of Them....It's the Drives,........Not nessessarily the Engines.........<br /><br />Most All the New Drives run Chevy power..........

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I have looked at monkeyads.com and wantads.com

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

What do people think about a 3.0 merc. for 19-20 ft?