1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

[tommays]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

its small buts gets the job done i have one in a 1995 20 maxum and it meets my needs<br /><br />if you are a water skier or something like that its to small but for kicking around and haveing fun its great <br /><br />and there real easy on fuel<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I just went through the want ads throughly and most of the boats that I am looking at are around 19-23 feet and I have a limit of about 5000.00. Must of the boats in the want ads I am looking at are going for bewtween 4000-5200 for 88 and 89 and they have 3.0 merc in them and they are about 4 hours from me. So I am figuring that I might as well tack on close to 200.00 for gas to just pick the boat up or look at it before I buy it. Then don't forget NYS tax. So I looking at more yet plus NYS reg. Does the madness stop. I realize that some of these boats could be awesome. I would like to stay somewhat local because I know alot of people and it's easier to sometimes to get the history behind a used vehicle easier this way. I know I am willing to pay 4500.00 for a 91 Four Winns with a 4.3L v6 Freedom 195 that needs new seat covers. But it's also a 1991 newer than what I have been seeing, great exterior hull/motor, plus my friend knows this boat a little and knows the guy. So I feel slightly safer without taking a risk/chance even though I know I have to put a little time and effort into the seats/interior. He is also the orginal owner. I am going to the 2 local marinas today for their advice on the cobra engines. I talked to a few local people around here that have them and they think there great motors if you take care of them. They were the ones that advice me to get rid of my force before I started having troubles. Does anyone see where I might be coming from? It's sure stressful looking for a new boat.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html <br /><br />Take a look at the above link for a thorough history & summary of the Cobra sterndrive. From my perspective, this isn't a bad drive at all. The key is whether or not you have a trustworthy mechanic nearby who has significant experience with these drives (seems there aren't that many of them). If not, better off passing on a Cobra unless you plan on getting the service manual & maintaining it yourself.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Shane...I would stay away from that year/engine combination for the following reason. You can verify this if you go and see it but I believe the 1990/91 4.3 HO (4 bbl carb) have the Spitfire ignition which is a box with the 6 plug wires attached and some other cables, it's fed by pulses off a sensor from the flywheel so there is no distributor. Problem is that when this box goes there are no replacements as OMC has been out it for several years now. I've seen posts on boards where guys have to literally retrofit the engine with a distributor and everything else to get it running again. I have nothing against OMC engines or drives, I have a couple but just beware of this potential problem.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I checked out a 1988 Sundowner 215 with 5L V8. Everything on this boat looks great. Hull slightly faded. Interior awesome shape. Tantem trailer, vhf radio, fish finder and etc. Guy wants 4k. It hasn't been in water in 2 years but we are going to take it out tomorrow.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

any input on this sundowner? Again it's cobra engine. But if runs good on the lake doesn't look like it will need alot of work to get it looking great for the price.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Basically the same cautions with buying an OMC boat except that the 1988 does not have the splitfire ignition that Bob mentioned above, it has a conventional dist with points n condenser. so this one is better from a repair standpoint. You really have to make sure you can find an OMC tech that knows what they are doing, a Merc only tech can really mess these things up! The Sundowner is a nice cuddy, if it has carpet over wood floors check em carefully for rot, I had to fix a rotted section in my 88 200 Horizon. Other than that and the faded burgundy gelcoat it has been a great boat, even with the 4.3 4-bbl it gets up and goes, and handles great. Next year I have to get more serious with the buffer to get the gelcoat where I want it. I also had to have the bow cushions re-done and replace the helm seats. Now it looks pretty good for a 17 year old!

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

I got a boat. 1988 215 Sundowner 21'Cuddy.<br /><br />Here are the details. Two owners ever. It has a 5L V8 Cobra motor. Comes with bumpers, skis, anchors, vhf land to shore radio. 4 speaker stereo system. All seats are like brand new. It looks like he just bought them. Gel coat is a little faded but I will buff the hell out of them. All trim wood is in great shape. Everything works. Has bimini cover and camping cover but they are older so they leak a little on heavy rains. Carpet in great shape. Never moored. always stored indoors always. It also comes with a 6 hp merc liquid cool trolling motor. This motor mounts to the back and attaches to regular motor so that you can steer with that motor. It has two electrical big jon downriggers also. And a livewell with a air system for minnows that is mounted on the swimstep. Comes with tantum trailer. Price 4k with trolling motor and downriggers or 3500 without them. I have checked the book on this boat and it's for sale for well below plus the quality is amazing. Motor is clean. Always maintained. He said any problems he would take care of it. All it needs is a speedometer. I haven't tested it on the lake but it started right up with ease even after 2 years. I think this could be a keeper for years to come. I imagine it might need a little tune up though and the fluids checked out. Shane

 

[pra51]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

My 2 cents woth<br />I have a 1991 19 Mariah with a 4.3 ho omc Cobra.Engine is a gm engine but as stated above it doesn't have a dist.It has splitfire ignition.This ignition was only made for 2 years then Omc went back to dist.ignition.Let me tell you,this is not hear say,the ignition is a real bummer.If it breaks you are in for a world of of trouble converting it.When it works it works very good and is strong but......Oh the stories I could tell you on it.I do all the work on mine beings it is near imposible to find a mech.that knows what to do with a Omc Cobra in my part of the world.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

So I guess it's better I bought the boat without the split fire. Plus the guy said he would help me out whenever I needed to work on it. He has done all his own work.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Shane...glad to hear you found a boat that sounds like it's in good shape. I won't say "Hope you have no trouble" because that just isn't what boating is all about so I'll say "Hope you have only minor problems"

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Thanks

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Does anyone know if you should keep your trim between a certain line on the guage while driving so that it's easier on your u joints?

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

One more questions how many hours is alot of hours on a 5L V8 Motor?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

You'll have to find your own sweet spot with the trim, you want enough bow rise to reduce how much boat is in the water yet don't want the stern to dig in. This will give you max fuel economy and a comfortable ride. Hours depends on where and how the boat was used, here in Ontario a good rule of thumb is 50 -75 hrs per year but I suspect with the price of gas doing a skyrocket thing that number may drop some this year!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: 1991 Four Winns 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra

Boatin Bob- didn't know that about the spitfire ignition, that's the type of info I really value getting from these forums. Will have to store that in my memory in case it ever comes up w.r.t. friends/ colleagues looking at that type of boat. <br /><br />Shane26 - if the guy you bought this from did all of his own work, he may have copies of the OEM Cobra Service Manual and Parts Manual. If you can't get these from him, I'd strongly suggest you buy a copy up front before you have any issues. You'll find it worthwhile to get the OMC version rather than buying a Clymers or Selock, even if they cost a bit more. Usually you can find them on eBay.<br /><br />Good luck and happy boating!