is OMC really that bad?

[boughtaboatinkansas]

I have been searching for my first boat. I do have a tight budget, I could go as much as 3k for a used boat. I am very mechanically inclined and a quick learner on such things. I have learned to recognize the different types of stern drives from this website. I am currently looking at a 1982 citation with *seller claims* 175 hp OMC drive system. Being a V-8 that makes it the 800 series stringer. Rebuilding an engine is a cake walk, Im not concerned really how good of condition the engine is in. I am concerned however about the OMC stern drive. I have seen many posts here about how horrible they are. Hard to find parts, hard to work on so on and so forth. All bias aside, I realize they no longer make OMC stern drives. But are they really THAT troublesome? I only ask bc I have noticed that Mercruiser equipped boats tend to run a little more expensive. As this will be my first boat, I do not want to spend alot on a used boat. I would rather get something cheaper, spend a winter rebuilding an engine and spend 2 or 3 years finding out if I really have the time to be a weekend boater every weekend lol if that makes any sense.

 

[QC]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I have noticed that Mercruiser equipped boats tend to run a little more expensive.

That there is the best answer to your question. They are more for a reason, and the only reason they aren't even more is some guys will buy the OMC because it seems like a good deal and answer at the time. If you are on a tight budget, you do not want one. And speaking of Bias, unlike many others, I actually like the design, it just didn't quite work out though.

 

[Don S]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

As this will be my first boat, I do not want to spend alot on a used boat.

Buying an Edsel for a first car wouldn't be a good idea either. A more popular Ford would be better.
OMC went out of buisness over 10 years ago. Like Edsel, they don't exist, unlike Edsels, they are not a collectors item either, just an example. The techs that can rebuild the drives and have the tools and training to do so, are also getting scarse. As you said, the engine is a cake walk. It's the drive, the intermediate housings that corrode away, and the drives that break and fail. All thhose OEM accessories that are NLA. Sure you can find most in aftermarket parts, but not everything. Price a shift cable, then find someone that can replace it.

 

[boughtaboatinkansas]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Good enough for me! I'll keep looking for something NOT omc lol. Thank you for the fast and honest replies. I love this website!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Mercruiser is a good bet so is Volvlder Volvos not so good.The parts for some Volvos extremly rediclous.
The thing you did RIGHT is to ask.Lots of people don't ask and are in trouble right out of the dock.The people who are in the know are glad to answer any ??????'s,J

 

[danond]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Oh I dunno. We're not all "in trouble" but we are looking for buyers....

 

[parrisw]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

We've had a boat for over 20 years now with a stringer 800, and only 1 time its failed, it lost forward gear, got the leg gone through and fixed up, never been a problem since. This year I rebuild the tilt motor and resealed the tilt clutch housing. Just maintain it and treat it right and it will be fine. And parts are easy to get. Don't know why OMC stringer gets such a bad wrap. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. The problem now is that they are getting older, and wont be supported forever, and yes, there are allot of people that won't work on them, but I don't hesitate to do it myself.

 

[skeat]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Anyone buying an older boat better plan on doing the work themselves unless they are independently wealthy. I have a 20 year old 4.3 cobra that has never had anything more than routine maintenance. I've owned it for the last 10. I am completely satisfied with it and don't regret a thing. There are also most OEM parts available through Bombardier Recreational Products. I have nothing against Merc's I just felt the need to defend OMC.

Good Luck,
Shawn

 

[parrisw]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Anyone buying an older boat better plan on doing the work themselves unless they are independently wealthy. I have a 20 year old 4.3 cobra that has never had anything more than routine maintenance. I've owned it for the last 10. I am completely satisfied with it and don't regret a thing. There are also most OEM parts available through Bombardier Recreational Products. I have nothing against Merc's I just felt the need to defend OMC.

Good Luck,
Shawn

Yes, I agree, thanks for stepping up to defend OMC too. No matter what kind of boat its gona cost ya. A few years ago we had to redo the exhaust system, and got aftermarket stuff, the new manifolds had center risers, as apposed to the stock rear riser, also the outlets were different sizes. So we had to have someone fab up some heavy duty stainless elbows and such to get it to work, total cost for new exhaust $2000 I think, but that's routine in a boat, it was just old and rusted out from the salt water.

 

[Starboardputz]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I can see the point that OMC is no longer in buisness and there may be fewer people who work on them, but I look at this forum all the time and see just as many if not more problems with all types of other boats as well, I love my old OMC and with the help I find here hopefully will be able to maintain it for years.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

+1 Doesn't matter what you buy you WILL spend money on it...if you mistreat it, it WILL break. I was concerned about my OMC and I still am. I pay a ton of attention to my gauges while I'm running her. Constantly listening for things that sound strange. Don't have to look hard to find broken OMC's, Mercruisers, Alphas, or any other manufacturer on here.

IMHO, if you're looking for cheap fun you've missed the mark with a boat.

 

[metro3pilot]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

" IMHO, if you're looking for cheap fun you've missed the mark with a boat. "

so its not just me ?

I have a 4.3 L cobra and have had very little trouble with the drive, cept for that time that " marine mechanic " did not refill it correctly, and I did not check it before running .... but that's another thread.

would I buy another Cobra ? sure if it was not abused and was dialed in

 

[rs2k]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I don't know much about the cobra, but I really like the stringer drives. I prefer them over the mercruisers. Finding parts is no trouble at all if you have a mechanical shift 800 drive with a SBC. It's the cost of the parts. Most items seem to costs about 50% - 100% more than merc. The real problem with the OMC's are finding people to work on them. That's not a problem if you do it yourself. Everyone likes to say they are a pain in the butt to work on, but I've found my three very simple to work on. The merc my friend had was a major pain in the butt to work with and he had to worry about gimbals, hydraulics, bellows and weak impellers. I guess it's about what you're used.

From what I understand, if you keep water out of the insides of a stringer drive than it'll out last the boat and then some.

 

[ryendube]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

isnt it also if your buying an OMC that the year/type is important like the later cobra (86 up) which is similiar to the merc set up. then later became a volvo omc hybrid? mid 90s? A lil more than just generalizing OMC. bad rap was the previous stringer design that died out. (dumb *** tilting motor ballgear ****e)

 

[KRH1326]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I will defend my OMC. Yes, I do spend a good amount time tinkering and fixing, but this boat had been beat upon, and butchered, then left to sit open to the elements, unwinterized for over 10 yrs., before it was given to me.

I have had no difficulty finding parts. I have found several OLD boats headed for the graveyard and salveged entire engine, int housing and electric shift outdrives for spare parts or replacement. I may not like it, but I am armed for bear. I love my OMC, even though at times she don't love me. As long as I can still turn a wrench, I want her. When I am old and decrepid, I will modernize my propulsion.

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I suppose parts availability depend on the model, I had a 95 king cobra & almost any part I searched for on the web was NLA, the local dealer who originaly sold the boat said it was really nice boat -- a nice boat to set in the driveway with a for sale sign on it while everything did still work properly.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

If you currently own an OMC, keep it maintained and you may have it for awhile. If you don't own one yet and you are looking for a used boat, don't buy an OMC.

My last boat was OMC driven and it gave me many years of service with little trouble. When I searched for my next boat, OMC was not an option...period!

 

[Don S]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

If you have had an OMC for a hundred years and took care of it. Sure it will give you great service.
But will the boat you buy from someone you don't know, but yet it's real cheap, been taken care of like that........ I doubt it.
People sell boats with locked up engine and drives, water in bellows, cracked blocks and all of them say "Runs great"

That circus guy was right, there is one born every minute.

 

[JustJason]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Bondo the circus guy?

 

[studdy05]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I love my old 82, 83, 84 slash GLM slash OMC Stringer 800. It's a hybrid for sure, because I bought a cheap piece of junk, then had to learn everything about it. Memorized it and built it and rebuilt in the daytime then dreamt about it in my sleep. A lot of the info I read was just plain BS. Like "cables stretch" which you will find on this site in re the mechanical shift issues...they don't strectch...they break...but they dont stretch...

Anyway, pound for pound OMC 800 stringers are faster, quicker on the turn, and flat racier than Mercruisers of similar era. OMC built an outdrive the way Porsche builds cars not the way Ford does.

I love the fact that people hate on OMC stringers. Sometimes people flat give them away, having no idea what they have. Watching Ebay I have about three full outdrives in parts - shift cables included - all for under a grand. Parts are plentiful - don't buy the hype. Mechanics are not.

I can't speak for the pre 79/80/81 - 800 Stringers, but from about that point on until they went bankrupt, the outdrives pure animals. The bashing comes from folks unwilling to take the time to learn how they work.