OMC Blues

[madolive3]

I bought a 84 Century with a stringer 800 in it, runs great. Now I'm spending $ trying to get this boat the way I want it.
The more I read about OMC the more I question if it's worth it. I have to do the stringers in the boat, big job and Now instead of keeping the boat for years, I think I'll have to sell it and start over with a merc or volvo. Ethically I can't sell before I do the stringers. It really takes the fun out of the project.

 

[Scott Danforth]

now is the time to tackle the transom if you are considering a repower.

if your OMC is running, you can sell the parts to someone trying to keep their boat going.

 

[southkogs]

I like the Stringer drive ... but if it's a question of a zillion hours of labor to save a Stringer, or shifting funding to something that's more up to date, I'll always suggest shifting over to a newer boat with a more current drive.

If you're really attached to the boat in question, then only you can answer the "worth it" question. But for just having a boat and enjoying the lake ... if the bones are rotten, move on and part the drive out.

 

[Bondo]

If you're really attached to the boat in question, then only you can answer the "worth it" question

.

Ayuh,.... Donno know yer hull, but the Right hull is well worth it,....

 

[madolive3]

Well it's a 84 Century 3000. Good Boat and it runs great, few minor hicups. I've already got $3000 into it and I have Stringers and seats to do yet.
I don't mind mind the work and it'll be a nice boat when it's done but it seems like it will always have a huge flaw. Of course I'll never get the value out of it that I put in it. I think boats in general suck unless you can afford to buy new. thanks for letting me vent.

 

[bruceb58]

You aren't going to like to hear this but I would sell it as is and let the buyer know all the flaws. You will be way better off in the long run.

 

[Gilded_Splinters]

I have had trials and tribulations with a twin OMC Cobra boat that you can't even imagine my friend. My wife and I love the boat, but I am tired of fooling around with it.

In your case, with 3 grand in already, I'd probably cut and run, but don't get discouraged and think that boats "suck" unless they're new.

New boats (in my opinion) don't have half the style as older ones do and are worth beans by the time you're done paying them off. To replace the boat I have now with a new equivalent would cost about a hundred and fifty grand. I have about 13K into it and lots of sweat and swearing.

Hang in there and make a good decision.

 

[jerryjerry05]

There are lots of "spare parts" out there.
If you don't mind the work and love the boat.
Keep it.

Myself, I'd opt for something newer with a Mercruiser drive.
Volvo's probably the best but the replacement parts are ridiculously expensive.

 

[southkogs]

If you're replacing stringers, why not go ahead and do the transom too? New keyhole and a new drive? You've gotta' pull the whole thing apart anyhow right?

 

[madolive3]

I thought about a repower when or if I do the transom. That is the big upside of the omc, the transom is ok and can wait. I can sell it without doing anyth
ing to the transom. I guess I'll just stick to the plan for now. Maybe next spring I'll hire a sexy gal and take some suggestive photos of her in the boat for Craigs list, that might increase it's value a bit when I sell it.
thanks for all the help and support. That's what this sub forum should be re named, 'The OMC Support Group', and we should schedule reg meeting and have sponsors.

 

[madolive3]

I have had trials and tribulations with a twin OMC Cobra boat that you can't even imagine my friend. My wife and I love the boat, but I am tired of fooling around with it.

In your case, with 3 grand in already, I'd probably cut and run, but don't get discouraged and think that boats "suck" unless they're new.

New boats (in my opinion) don't have half the style as older ones do and are worth beans by the time you're done paying them off. To replace the boat I have now with a new equivalent would cost about a hundred and fifty grand. I have about 13K into it and lots of sweat and swearing.

Hang in there and make a good decision.
I agree about the newer boats, just don't like where the styling has gone. Like the old lines much better.

I have a wonderful domestic boss that I try my best to keep happy, so selling the boat and taking a loss on said boat so soon would require an explanation so creative that I'd have to hire one of Obama's fiction writers. can't afford that.

 

[Gilded_Splinters]

My problem is that my "domestic boss" (I like that!) is VERY attached to our boat. Of course she doesn't wrench on it or pay for the parts.

We met on it by chance out on the water, got engaged on it a year later and were married on it this past August 1st, so it's hard to get her to see ANY benefit in selling it and upgrading. She really has no idea how much or where the money goes, but is liable to with our new arrangement.

 

[southkogs]

Having the Admiral "all-in" on a boat does influence decisions

You can keep a Stringer running, and there are some things about them that I think are very good. But, you're your own mechanic ... and you need to be prepared for the headaches that come with owning one.

 

[bruceb58]

I would just tell her that if you got rid of the OMC, you would have a lot more money and time to spend on/with her!

 

[madolive3]

I guess the plan is to continue. I have already done the Transom seal,bought a new Bimini, Lights, Courtesy lights. New Gauges, Helix 5 si.Switches and switch panels. Had to replace the PS heat exchanger.
A short list of what I have left to do this winter. Stringers, Floor.. Carpet, seats. Blower hoses.
patch and gel coat old mounting holes. rebuild the engine cover. other than those things it in great shape.:laugh:

 

[Scott Danforth]

with a list like that, I would be definitely redoing the transom to a smaller hole and going either VP or Merc.

 

[southkogs]

^^^ I concur. You'll be half there doing the stringers anyway.