Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

[paperdesk]

I bought a 1986 18' Bluewater with a 470 i/0 motor last summer. The engine looks like it is in good shape, low hours, but there were several problems the dealer promised to fix. It's taken them till now, but they finally got everything fixed (new water pump, distributor, control arm, carb overhaul etc). I put it in the water and it ran for less than an hour before I lost forward and reverse. had a mechanic look at it and he said there was no oil in the upper outdrive, so most likely the outdrive is toast. The dealer is willing to fix it, or maybe trade for a 1990 18' Trueline with OMC 140 outboard. I know many people don't like the Merc 170's but I know nothing about the 140 OMC either.

My main use of the boat is for wakeboarding/tubing. Which boat would be better for this? Which likely has more value? I haven't seen the 140 but the dealer says it's "really clean" etc etc. I'm 4 hours round trip from the dealer so I don't want to go have a look unless I get some encouragement in that line . . . .

So, if you can, please share your opinion! I've been boatless waaaayyyy too long.

Ted

 

[tommays]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

you will be going from the frying pan into the fire



Tommays

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

you will be going from the frying pan into the fire



Tommays

I have the same gut feeling but don't know why. Maybe because I like the i/o better than my previous outboard. Any particulars you could share with me on why the trade's not a good idea?

Ted

 

[hullofalottatrouble]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

my recommendation.. make this dealer give you a full refund and walk away quickly.. it sounds to me like they are incompetent..

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

Keep the 470 as long as the engine runs good......
The drive is an Alpha one,it has nothing to do with the 470...
If they are willing to fix it, let them......​

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

Yah, I've been wavering between asking for my money back, and letting them fix it. Seems i'll have an almost new boat by the time it's done . . . paid $4000 for it which seemed kind of high to me (though they were asking $5500) but I'm sure they'll have lost money on it by the time it's all done (oh, and they put brand new tires on the trailer too).

I still don't have a good feeling about trading out for the 140, but don't know why. . . any thoughts?

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

Still just wondering if anyone thinks I should consider the outboard swap?

Thanks,

Ted

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

When you say the other boat has an OMC 140 outboard. What does that mean? Do you mean inboard/outboard? Or an actual outboard?

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

I'm told it's an outboard, though I haven't seen it yet.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

It would obviously be good to find out for sure. If it is an outboard, it would be good to know what year the outboard is. Also, I may be wrong, but I don't think OMC makes outboards. Except as Evinrude and Johnson. I could be wrong as I'm not up on my outboards!

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

They are supposed to post pix this pm, so I'll have a good look then and let you know!

Ted

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

Here's the link to the pix of the boat. The second pic shows the OMC outboard.

http://washington.boatnut.com/searc...ol=Price&sortDir=ASC&page=1&Location=Spokane#

Looks like trouble to me . . . What do you guys think?

 

[Robj]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

If that outboard was an Evinrude or Johnson, they make good outboards, probably even better than Merc's. But an OMC outboard, have not even heard of them before. You could always post on the outboard discussion forum for input, but I would not touch them.

Get your current boat fixed or your $$ back.

Good luck

Rob.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

It's an OMC SeaDrive....... Fits well with the Meruiser 470
Both were bad ideas and didn't last for very long.

The Seadrive is actually a Johnrude outboard suck on some gawd awful outboard bracket thingy.

You want info on that outboard, head for the Johnson/Evenrude forum

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

Advice: loud and clear get my money back if possible, but don't swap out for the 140! Thanks guys! Guess I'll have to save up my money and get a direct drive Ski Nautique or something!

Ted

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

That OMC contraption looks like something designed by committee. I'll bet it's a joy trying to get parts for the thing.

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

It is pretty wild looking! Looks like I'm sticking with a known evil rather than going with an unknown evil. The dealership is coming out Friday to work on the boat . . . sounds like they're taking responsibility which is great.

Ted

 

[DreamBoater]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

That boat that has the 140 on it looks like it might have been an I/O boat transformed into an OB setup.GOD AWFUL looking thing. LOL

 

[sankanother1]

Re: Merc 170 Inboard or OMC 140 Outboard? Any good?

DON'T BELIEVE IT!..The Seadrive is a great set up..It is essentially a 140 looper.One of the best O/B's made.The bracket may look different but it works very well and the parts are easy to find.(well as easy as any omc part)People get scared of different.you get two more feet out of your boat by using this set up,steering is hydraulic and tilt is fast,great set back,What's the problem?You don't see many of them?well that's because they were very expensive.Hint.These were popular on Boston Whalers.I hope everything worked out for you.I know this post is dated,I just wanted to add input in case someone searched seadrive and came across this post for reference..