To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

[rs2k]

I'm quite familiar with and fond of the OMC Stringer and its benefits over a Mercruiser, but I know very little about the Cobra. I'd like to know what other people's opinions are on the Cobra. What are the benefits of an OMC Cobra over a Mercruiser if any?

I've heard they are just about bullet proof, and since I know they share a lot of similar low end parts with the stringer I can believe it.

Let's not go into parts availability or service providers, I just would like to know the difference between the two brands as far as reliability and performance.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

I owned one for several years and it was a good solid drive. As far as buying another boat with a Cobra drive i would not do it.The Cobra parts just seem more expensive than Mercs..
I did like the Cobra though,it shifted very good and never gave me any problems after i serviced it and replaced the lower shift cable.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

I had one too.

My brother bought the boat new in 1987 and it basically went 20 years with few problems. The reason I pulled it wasn't because of the drive (I sold the drive)....It was the engine. You can't get some parts for an OMC 460 anymore. There's also a vertical shaft (and some other parts) in the King Cobra drives that is no longer available from anyone at any price. (unless you cannibalize a used drive)

Other than that, the Cobras are fine. They were "designed" (or the design was influenced) by a Mercury Engineer....

It's amazing how a lot of people don't know that the Stern Drives of today (Mercury, Volvo Penta, OMC) are basically tied together since the designers at one time (or other) were all working for Carl Kiekhaefer.

 

[rs2k]

Re: To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

I find it odd that parts are easier to get for the stringer than are for the cobra. Did OMC loose popularity when the Cobras came out? Are there less cobras than there are stringers?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

I find it odd that parts are easier to get for the stringer than are for the cobra. Did OMC loose popularity when the Cobras came out? Are there less cobras than there are stringers?

No,

I don't think so......The Cobras were pretty popular and fairly successful.

You can read several places on the internet what happened to OMC. Some people think they had problems with gears (they even replaced a lot of them under warrenty) Then later they decided they had some problems with the lower shift cables (red vs black)

By then OMC was having serious financial problems.....I don't think it was due to their Stern drives .... they had partnered with Volvo and produced the SX.

You can read a little about it all here: ---> http://www.rbbi.com/company/omc/omc.htm





Oh....

What are the benefits of an OMC Cobra over a Mercruiser if any?

Um....there aren't any.

 

[rs2k]

Re: To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

Do you know where I can find how much these drives sold for back in the 80's and 90's? I'd like to know the price difference between all the major brands.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: To OMC Users: OMC Cobra VS Mercruiser?

I seem to remember that when my brother bought my boat he said the 460 King Cobra equipped 211 Liberator was about the same with the 454 Alpha.

I would be willing to bet that the retail prices were very competitive.