800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

[longstand]

I have two boats.. 1 is a Regal Ambassador 24" and 1 1987 Bayliner Trophy Hard Drop

Both as a 800 Stern Drive.

Anyone please educate me the pros and cons of each one?

I'm more familiar with 800 Stern drive. i think replacement of the waterpump was easy. but then again. i never really change any other water pump on the other out-drive..


I have a family member which i believe has an alpha 1 out-drive and hes giving it to me... should i remove my OMC 800 Stern drive and replace it with the alpha 1 drive?

 

[Fun Times]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

I have a family member which i believe has an alpha 1 out-drive and hes giving it to me... should i remove my OMC 800 Stern drive and replace it with the alpha 1 drive?

Hi there longstand, welcome back to iboats. It's been a while since you have last posted.

Is there anything mechanically wrong with the OMC 800 at this point?

Just so you know, If you do decide to try and switch over, you will have one big hole to fill in then you'll be starting over with a new hole.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

If the 800 is mechanically sound leave it be or MRS. Murphy will come looking for you...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

I have two boats.. 1 is a Regal Ambassador 24" and 1 1987 Bayliner Trophy Hard Drop

Both as a 800 Stern Drive.

Anyone please educate me the pros and cons of each one?

I'm more familiar with 800 Stern drive. i think replacement of the waterpump was easy. but then again. i never really change any other water pump on the other out-drive..


I have a family member which i believe has an alpha 1 out-drive and hes giving it to me... should i remove my OMC 800 Stern drive and replace it with the alpha 1 drive?

Ayuh,... I hope yer Stringer drives are holdin' up well,...

To swap to an Alpha drive, basically, you need to swap Everything, from the pulleys to the prop,...
Nothin' from yer OMC driveline will work with the Mercruiser drive,...
'n that'll include glassin' in the hole in the transom, 'n recuttin' a new keyhole,...

 

[Lou C]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

We would need more information. The '83 for sure is a Stringer drive, but the '87 could be a Cobra drive which is completely different. The Alpha drive can be adapted to the Cobra transom mount (via the SEI kit) but if its working well why not run it as long as you can. It also depends on what drive ratio the Alpha has, vs what drive ratio is needed for the '87. For the Stringer no other options, either you keep it going or change everything. If the 87 is a Cobra, a lot more options, for one, you can go SEI conversion + Alpha, for another (better but more money) convert the Cobra to a Volvo SX, and lastly there are many aftermarket and OE parts out there for Cobras, I'd probably just get mine rebuilt by my mechanic (ex-OMC guys) when the time comes. Its been extremely reliable given harsh use (moored in salt 6 months of the year). Sierra sells an aftermarket complete upper gear unit and GLM sells that and a complete lower gear unit for Cobras (not sure how good they are though, but if people are using SEI's I think they are about the same quality wise)

 

[longstand]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

Thanks Everyone of you. who has reply to me.

I wish i could takes some pictures. to let EVERYONE see what i have . but can't until February 8. when i pickup the boat.. "very busy at work"

All i know is that my 1983 Regal boat has the EXACT same LOOK "stern-drive" as the 1988/87 Bayliner Trophy. BUT the Bayliner has a sticker on the Stern-drive saying "OMC" on the center.

When i get the boat. I will surely Take alot of picture and post it for everyone to see.. HONESTLY. when i see picture posted on a form thread. i usually read it

Until next month my friends... pictures will be posted. regarding my issue with the stern-drive..

 

[southkogs]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

'83 OMC would be a Stringer mount drive (attaches to the stringers of the boat and goes through a BIG hole in the transom).
'88 OMC would be a Cobra drive that would mount to the transom much like the Mercruiser.

VERY different drives in terms of how they mount. Cobra might convert over to Merc fairly easily. Stringer won't.

One other consideration with the Stringer: some of the boats that used the Stringers didn't have a transom built to handle mounting a drive to it (they didn't need it). You'll want to check that carefully before you attempt a conversion.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

You might want to change your signature as it is very confusing when compared to your post content!


1983 24' Regal Ambassador 247XL. Twin Engine V6 OMC 3.8L with OMC Sterndrive
1988 21' Bayliner Trophy HardTop. Single Engine V4 Mercury 3.0L with OMC Sterndrive

 

[longstand]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

thank you for your comments.

But the big Question is..

Do i want to convert? and what would the benefits... I honestly just want to get from point A to B. and able to run the boat on a very low RPM while docking the boat. that's all i want.

and err Captain "Maclin" will changes that signature..

 

[southkogs]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

I can't speak of the benefits going from OMC Cobra to Merc. I would think with that conversion being easier, I'd just run the Cobra out and think about it when it dies.

For the Stringer? Parts and Service would be an advantage for the Merc against the OMC. BUT the amount of work to convert wouldn't outweigh it in my mind. The Stringer can be a little finicky, but on the overall they're a decent drive. Mine's quiet, steers nicely and is easy to work on. I don't think the conversion would be worth it.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

Agreed I'd probably keep the newer boat with the Cobra (if that's why it has, hard to imagine that an 87 would have a stringer). When the time comes you can investigate on conversions. A well set up and maintained Cobra will
last a long time.

 

[longstand]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

I just confirm it.. I have an OMC Sterndrive... its printed on it. LOL

So my setup is

Mercury V4 3.0L Engine with an OMC SternDrive..


I watch this video

I'm thinking of doing this

Four Cylinder:
four blade with Stingray Hydrofoil

 

[thumpar]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

A 3.0l is not a V4, it is an I4 (I for inline). Skip the hydrofoil.

 

[longstand]

Re: 800 OMC Stern Drive Vs Bravo/Alpha

I heard and seen the video of how StingRay™ Speed-XPII Senior Hydrofoil Stabilizer could help save fuel.

and i have also read the bad and good review..


But both already has a Trim Tab..

I have also fix my signature.. ..

Thanks Thumpar