Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

[radar42]

There is a really good looking 1989 17.5 ft boat with a 2.3L Ford engine and a OMC Cobra drive at a auction tomorrow. The auctioneer tells me that the boat won't shift into reverse and needs a shift cable. I like the looks of the boat , but am I asking for trouble buying buying this Cobra? I have owned and worked on Mercruisers in the past, but never an OMC. It will probably sell quite cheap, but then I have seen where free was too expensive.

 

[DJ]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

I wouldn't.

The engine is a good one but as you thought, OMC is out of business and parts/service, while avaialble, are getting more expensive and rare.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

Ayuh,....

50 bucks would be Too Much....

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

Ayuh,....

50 bucks would be Too Much....

That's b.s. If you can work on a Merc, you can work on a Cobra. Once you get the shift cable adjustment down {there's plenty of help available on the internet}, you're all set. And parts are still available.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

Having had one, and had good luck with it, I do like Cobras, but if you don't have a shop that can work on it, in the event that you can't get it right yourself, then what? I am lucky that I have an excellent shop with a mechanic that knows Cobras, went tothe OMC schools and makes them shift as good as a Volvo.
There have to be thousands of Merc boats out there, with easier powertrains to service...and the Ford 2.3 is not really that common of a boat motor either, unlike the 2.5 and 3.0 GM units.....

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

I will say this. If you are looking at buying a Cobra, be willing to learn how to do the shift adjustments yourself, as there aren't many mechanics out there that know the proper way to do it. If you're not mechanically inclined, then don't buy any OMC product. I like my Cobra, but I know how to do the work myself. Would I buy another? Probably not. To the original poster. Before you jump in, know what you're getting yourself into.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

Omc out of business for over ten years.

If i had to do it again volvo.

Right now knowing what i know i wouldn't take it for free.

Good luck! If you buy that boat your gonna need it.

 

[radar42]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

Thanks everyone for your input and perhaps saving me from a lot of grief.
I just returned from the the auction- unbelievable, the boat sold for $5000. All I could do was to wish the buyer good luck.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

You dodged a bullet with that one.

 

[Robj]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

Thanks everyone for your input and perhaps saving me from a lot of grief.
I just returned from the the auction- unbelievable, the boat sold for $5000. All I could do was to wish the buyer good luck.

You really dodged a bullet on that one. I was at an auction recently and saw a boat get bit up, sold for about 6 grand, it was an older boat, probably worth $1500. A few weeks later, I saw it in the shop, with the outdrive removed.

You were smart, you knew the value of the boat before you went to the auction. I feel sorry for the sucker that didn't.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[cannonford57]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

moot point now that the boat is gone but the weak point of the package was the engine not the drive system.4 people in the boat and it was a double dog. 1 person and it was a screamer///the 3.0 was a better choice by far

 

[radar42]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

moot point now that the boat is gone but the weak point of the package was the engine not the drive system.4 people in the boat and it was a double dog. 1 person and it was a screamer///the 3.0 was a better choice by far

That was another point that crossed my mind but didn't bring up was the motor. It seemed to small as most of the boats that size around here have the 4.3 GM V6. I'm OK with fact that I didn't get it even though it was a great looking boat otherwise.

 

[Robj]

Re: Boat at auction- 2.3L w/OMC Cobra

That was another point that crossed my mind but didn't bring up was the motor. It seemed to small as most of the boats that size around here have the 4.3 GM V6. I'm OK with fact that I didn't get it even though it was a great looking boat otherwise.

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you want a speed demon, than that definitely was not the boat for you. Mine is a 18' with a 120 Volvo. It does OK, cruises nicely at 30 mph, and only sips the fuel. Top speed about 40 mph. I personally would not buy that boat because of the OMC drive and engine. To each their own.

Have a great day,

Rob.