Older omega ski boat should I buy

[joshdashnaw]

Right now I have a 1990 bayliner with the L-drive that has about 90 horsepower. I like the bayliner, but it doesn't have enough power. I'm looking at buying an older omega ski boat with the 240 horsepower 351 in it. It is a real nice looking boat but needs interior redone. I'm not sure what year it is but I would have to guess late 70 or early 80. Everything looks pretty good in it. I'm going to do a compression check and try to find the time to take it out and see how it runs. I was hoping to find out what people know about this boat engine and outdrive that I should be concerned about before buying. The registration is up to date. Oh yes, and he is asking 2500 is that an ok deal? It also has a new stainless prop they said cost about 600.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

if it has an omc outdrive pass on it.

 

[DJ]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

if it has an omc outdrive pass on it.

Agreed. If it is a MerCruiser, you're OK.

If it is a direct drive (prop under boat with a seperate rudder) even better.

 

[joshdashnaw]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

Alright, so how do I figure out what type of out drive it has. What do I look for. does it say anything on it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

ask the seller first. ask what outdrive does it have, not is it an omc outdrive. then if he doesn't know, it probably is. get some pictures of it. and post here. total boat also.

 

[joshdashnaw]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

I'll get some pics. I don't think the guy knows much about it. He bought for 4000 and never got to ride in it because of medical reasons. My girlfriends uncle is the one in charge of selling it for him and he didn't even know the year. I'll get some good pics and post them soon.

 

[joshdashnaw]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

So I found out with the help of the marine doctor that it is an OMC drive on it. So what is it that makes these drives so bad?

 

[Ezrider_92356]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

its an obsolete drive parts are very hard to find and can be very expensive from what i understand

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

There is another guy dealing with the same problem. He has an OMC on his Bayliner, and he mentioned something about the cables being weaker than the other drives. Most people prefer MerCruiser engines on their boats. They are known for performance and they are cheaper to repair. If you like reliability, then your best bet will be a Volvo. Volvos are built heavier, so they are more bulky than MerCruisers. Mercs will go about 10 MPH faster than a Volvo with the same horsepower. Volvos aren't known for perfomance, but they will last Forever (it depends how you take care of it of course)!! It just depends what your intentions are for the boat. Since you are wanting the boat for it's speed, then your best bet is to find a boat with a MerCruiser. I would pass on this deal. Everyone is right about an OMC drive being to expensive to fix. I would find a boat with a MerCruiser. Hope this Helps!!

 

[rocky100]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

Caprirestorer,
A volvo is more reliable than a mercruiser?
where did you hear that?

 

[joshdashnaw]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

Thank You for all the input. There is aftermarket OMC part suppliers, are these aftermarket parts spendy. What I like is the fact that its a regular simple engine with the 4 barrel edelbrock carb on it, where as right know I own a 1991 bayliner capri with a 90 horsepower L-drive that has expensive parts and aren't any fun to work on. Do you think the omega would be an upgrade from my bayliner?

 

[QC]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

You should definitely stay away from the OMC, and I actually kinda like them . . . They take a lot of attention and parts are harder and harder to get. You will get way More help here with a Merc. Also, rocky, it is generally understood that a Volvo is a more reliable/better drive than an Alpha. Dealer support is usually tougher to get, but the Volvo design has according to most here, been better. BTW, I have never owned one, but have had a Stringer, an Alpha and now a Bravo 1.

The Omega 20ish has a somewhat narrow beam, usually a bowrider and has pretty shallow deadrise at the stern. They are known for pounding pretty hard in chop. I used to lust after one 20 years ago or so, and I have a friend who had one, his was an Alpha. His wife finally made him sell it a coupla years back. Not a bad boat, but again, pretty rough ride and wet. Would be great for a river, but anything but a small lake it will beat you up pretty good . . .

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Older omega ski boat should I buy

Caprirestorer,
A volvo is more reliable than a mercruiser?
where did you hear that?

I head that from a certified boat mechanic that serviced all of the major brands (Mercruiser, Volvo, OMC, even BMW!!). He told me that just out experience that he has had with them. He said that he has dealt with Mercs that have sat for two years that wont start, and Volvos that have sat for 10+ years that have started right up. I think that any engine can be just as reliable as another just as long as you take care of it!!