The typical buying a boat, OMC Cobra question.

[RustyNCA]

First I have done reading, searching, etc. and am still not satisfied.

I am looking at an 88 Day Cruiser with a 350 Chevy, OMC Cobra setup. vs an 88 Day Cruiser with a 454 Chevy, Bravo 1 setup.

The 350 has a full fresh rebuild, new valve job, etc. Word is the drive was fully serviced last year and the lower unit looks newer than the top, also has the red shift cable.

The 454 Chevy, Bravo 1 has never been apart other than routine service.

The Mer-cruiser boat is 2,000 more than the OMC boat, is a bit cleaner, but has a worse seating layout.

I like the OMC boat better except for the OMC drive issue everyone is talking about.

So, I am looking for thought's on the OMC Cobra drive and issues with it.

Thanks
Newbie to boating

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

can you tell us a little more about these 2 boats? "88" meaning 1988 model year? That was the first year for the Bravo 1 . . . but Bravo's have proven to be bullet proof.

Also, there is a bit of difference in the engine size. How many hours on the engines and water type of water have they been run in? (Fresh or salt?)

What else is there to look at in terms of boats? what budget are we trying to work with?

 

[RustyNCA]

Yes, 1988 on both boats, they are both the same manufacturer. Dana's built down in Southern California. The 454 Merc boat has been all fresh water, the 350 OMC i'm unsure, but think it's also only fresh. I'm told the 454 has around 500 hours. The 350 shows 940 on the meter, but the motor has less the 20 hours since a rebuild. Both have new trailer tires, surge brakes, etc. Trailer is fancier on the 454, has chrome fenders and alum wheels, but the 350 has chrome diamond plate on the trailer steps and fenders.

The 350 is right hand drive, two captains with a rear full wrap around seat that connects with captains so you can lean on captains. and full across engine cover.
454 is left hand drive with foot pedal, two captains and rear bench. Air cleaner is flush with the engine cover on the 350.

454 has two year old upholstery done in tan with green, blue, pink stripes. 350 has older upholstery in very nice shape done in light grey, with light and dark blue stripes. upholstery matches the boat color better on the 350.

Both have teak swim decks split in the center, but the 454 one has small strips with metal rail, 350 is just heavy teak.

454 has a short tow pole at the front of the motor.
454 has adjustable cavitation plates and has nine gauges across the dash, 350 has seven.
350 comes with two props, 454 one stainless prop

I like the layout of the 350 interior better. The 454 boat appears to have less interior room, so I think the big block and Mercury must move the engine bay forward 5 to 8 inches.

350 is 6k, 454 is 8k.

My biggest worry is the Cobra outdrive on the 350

Thanks for the help to all.

 

[tpenfield]

Keep in mind that you are considering 27 year old boats, so there may not be a good choice between them.

Is this one of them?
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/5017468091.html

Is this the other one?
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/5093540191.html

 

[RustyNCA]

Yep, that is them. I know they are older boats and hence will not be perfect machines. Truth be told, I am leaning towards the OMC equipped boat for a number of reasons, the only thing that is pushing me towards the Merc, is well, the 454.

 

[Bondo]

I am looking at an 88 Day Cruiser with a 350 Chevy, OMC Cobra setup. vs an 88 Day Cruiser with a 454 Chevy, Bravo 1 setup.

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... What was the question,..?? did somebody mention Edsel,..??

I'm puttin' an early model Bravo into the hull of my last fishin' barge, that had an OMC,....
Granted, it was a Ford/ Electric Stringer drive, but OMC none the less,....

 

[redneck joe]

have you read this yet?

http://hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html



and this?

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist





all things equal in the long run for a $1500 difference i'd do the mercruiser for when (not if) you need work completed. If you can pick up the OMC for $5k or less and are handy, sure don't be too scared of the OMC

IF YOU HAVE READ WHAT I"VE POSTED and understand it. Yes sorry but needed to yell for a second to make sure you noticed.

Good luck, sweet looking boats.

 

[tpenfield]

I think the one with the Merc has a better interior and better looking all around . . .

 

[RustyNCA]

have you read this yet?

http://hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html


and this?

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist


all things equal in the long run for a $1500 difference i'd do the mercruiser for when (not if) you need work completed. If you can pick up the OMC for $5k or less and are handy, sure don't be too scared of the OMC

IF YOU HAVE READ WHAT I"VE POSTED and understand it. Yes sorry but needed to yell for a second to make sure you noticed.

Good luck, sweet looking boats.

Thanks, I hadn't read either of those. I did own a Four Winns few years back before my first wife took it with her, so I have some boating experience. My wife likes the OMC equiped blue one and it seems to have the red shift cable on it.

 

[redneck joe]

10-4. Just read, be informed any buy the one the wife wants... (i've lost to other wive feel the pain)

 

[bruceb58]

Do NOT buy an OMC. Don't even bother looking at them. Parts availability will continue to be a bigger and bigger issue down the road.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Do NOT buy an OMC. Don't even bother looking at them. Parts availability will continue to be a bigger and bigger issue down the road.

Yeah. If I had a choice of OMC vs Mercruiser in similar sized boats I would choose the Mercuiser powered boat. If I didn't have a choice, I would still NOT get the OMC powered boat.

OMC went out of business nearly 20 years ago. That should tell you all you need to know.

 

[redneck joe]

so did Johnson/Evinrude.

 

[Scott Danforth]

However johnson/Evenrude were picked up by BRP and continue to be viable. OMC died and was not revived.

 

[tpenfield]

Great history lesson, but if the OP really wants the OMC, we have done our jobs in presenting the situation and comparison of the 2 boats and their power packages.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Great history lesson, but if the OP really wants the OMC, we have done our jobs in presenting the situation and comparison of the 2 boats and their power packages.

And having said all the above, there's really no comparison (at all) between an engine and drive package that is still in production and one that was abandoned long ago.

 

[RustyNCA]

No Title

Well, thank you all for the help and suggestions. We did a trade on a boat over the weekend. We are now the proud third owners of an 85 Hallett 21 foot super sport day cruiser. She has a 350 SBC with a Mercury Alpha 1.

 

[tpenfield]

Congrats !! That looks like a different one, versus the two that you started with. Good choice going with the Mercruiser.

 

[RustyNCA]

Congrats !! That looks like a different one, versus the two that you started with. Good choice going with the Mercruiser.

100% totally different boat than I started with. I was ready to head out and trade for the one Dana, rented a trailer to haul car down for trade, and he sends me a text that he had sold it. Glad he did, I think this is hands down a better boat.

We have all the reciepts since it was sold in early 86. Was a custom ordered boat from Hallett in the blue colors, story is the first owner was a Cowboys football player, but I haven't been able to confirm that.

Receipts show new interior and nice berber style carpet in 05, complete rebuild of the trailer in 2014 including disc brakes. Roller cam and rockers in 2007, stainless headers and through hull exhaust in 2008.

The boat has only a few nicks here and there, but is cleaner than alot of the 5 year old boat friends have. The trailer is amazingly nice.

I need to figure out the trim gauge doesn't seem to be working very well and the oil pressure gauge also must need a new sending unit.

 

[redneck joe]

sweet!