OMC I/O Cobalt

[flah4@rochester.rr.com]

just looked at a 1980 18'Cobalt open bow, very clean boat all around W/350 chevy and OMC I/O.The sale is through a reputable dealer who has put a new or rebuilt 350 engine in last year and serviced the boat seasonally. I am curious about the OMC outdrive with the rubber "boot" type of connection to the transom . Having owned outboards and or Mercury I/O previously, . Does anyone know if this a good performer and reliable? the boat has always been on a small lake and I would use it on lakes only as well. Thanks.

 

[marinemech]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

the omc unit you are refering to is commonly called a stringer due to the mounting of the engine<br />these are good units but have a few draw backs:the ball gears will wear rapidly if engine is run while drive is tilted<br />because of the design of the unit there are 4 seperate oil chambers upper gearcase lower gearcase tilt box and intermediate housing<br />also maintance on these units tends to be expensive when compared with a omc cobra or volvo sx<br />the 350 chevy is usually no problem

 

[keelhauled]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

I have an OMC 800 drive like the one you're referring to. I've had few problems with it, but I've been lucky. These units can be reliable if they are properly cared for, but like marinemech said, they are very, very expensive to repair. Also, a lot of shops won't touch them.<br /><br />IMHO, pass on this one and try to find a Mercruiser or, even better, a Volvo. You'll enjoy more time on the water and less time in the shop.<br /><br />If you do decide to go with the stringer drive, maintain the heck out of it and handle it very carefully. Make sure your dealer will service it for you when it breaks.

 

[KaGee]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

IMHO, pass on this one and try to find a Mercruiser

For what it's worth... I know of two regular contributors to this board that refer to these as "Black Anchors". My point being, every brand has it's own unique "qualities". OMC is out of business, but parts for these drives are being supported by a couple of 3rd party part suppliers. <br /><br />I have an 800 Stringer also. Never start the engine with the drive tilted up, do not attempt a shift with revs over 650-700 RPMs. These are the two largest contributors to premature failure of Stringer drives.<br /><br />Keep the revs down, your maintenance up, and these drives are acceptable, especially for a starter boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

OMC is out of business

Unless that Reputable Dealer is giving you this boat for FREE .........<br />It's Too Much Money,...... To cover the Headaches,+ Heartaches that Will Follow ........<br /><br />Keep Looking........ There's Lots of used boats out there,.. Without such Handicaps.......<br /><br />Stringer Drives were a Pi$$-Poor drive when they were NEW,+ Parts WERE readily Available...........<br /><br />Look Here,.. To See What You can Look Forward Too..........................

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

It should be a very clean boat. If it was like the OMC stringer I battled for 6 years in a previous life, it spent more time in the shop that in the water!

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

oops---keys got too hot with my emotional response---"....it spent more time in the shop than it did in the water."<br /><br />RUN AWAY, FAST!

 

[tommays]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

for my money i would not by anything made in 1980 unless it was free and even then it may be cheeper to find a newer boat<br /><br />there are to many 1990 and newer boats with OMC,MERC or VOLVO drives in that size range for very litel money <br /><br />18ft boats are every makers entry level boat and were usally priced low when new and dont command big prices used<br /><br />tommays

 

[fendersfender]

Re: OMC I/O Cobalt

i currently own a sea ray with twin omc 800 drives---nothing but trouble and expensive to repair and maintain---JUNKOLA