omc stringer 400

[wannabboater]

this will be my firs this will be my first boat should I wa should I walk away from it or could it possibly be a decent by for the right price? and not afraid to d and not afraid to do repairs.

 

[wannabboater]

Re: omc stringer 400

Wow auto spell was bad. Lets try this again. I am new to boating I'm looking at buying an 85 stringer 400 OMC. I've heard mixed reviews on these sterndrives. What should I do could it possibly be a good purchase or should I walk away?

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: omc stringer 400

It is a very old drive with increasingly limited parts availability. It also cannot be practically replaced with a newer sterdrive.

You havent mentioned what boat this drive is attached to, the cost of it, or your budget, but I would walk away; there are plenty of affordable alpha one / volvo SX or outboard powered boats that would be a much better buy.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: omc stringer 400

Welcome to IBOATS.

Run, run fast, run faster............

Mark

 

[tazrig]

Re: omc stringer 400

Don't walk... Run! it's not that the OMC Stringer is a BAD drive it's just that OMC went out of business approximately 13 years ago and there is no support for the drive anymore. Getting parts for them can be a nightmare. You would have to do the repair work yourself as there are few professional mechanics that can or will still service them and there will be fewer and fewer going forward. Why start out with a problem if you don't have to. There are lots of Mercruiser and Volvo powered boats out there to choose from.

 

[wannabboater]

Re: omc stringer 400

Okay here's the deal. All I can tell you about the boat. It's a v haul open bow. It says Tara on the side. The boat is only a 1000. This is my budget. I also don't want to spend a lot on a boat that I might not use. It is my first. I'm a very good mechanic. I havent found anything I can't fix with time and books. So I would do all the work myself. Are they that bad or just old and different.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc stringer 400

I've heard mixed reviews on these sterndrives.

mixed?
a mix of bad, worse and worst maybe. I can't imagine where you would find anyone singing the praises of the stringer 400.


If you are looking for a 1980's boat- only look for a Mercruiser drive behind a Chevrolet 3.0/4.3/5.0/5.7

 

[tazrig]

Re: omc stringer 400

you could be the best mechanic in the world but if you can't get the parts to fix what's broken you can't fix it. They haven't made the drive in 13 years or replacement parts. Most people have to buy whole out drives (if they can find them) then strip them down for the few parts they actually need. There are merc and volvo boats out there in your price range. granted they would need work but you could at least get the parts for them.

 

[wannabboater]

Re: omc stringer 400

I've search for parts on the Internet and I've talked to a mechanic or two it says they can still get parts for it pretty easily. What is so problematic with these drives? I heard the electric tilt and trim motors were a big problem would that be correct?

 

[wannabboater]

should i buy or run

should i buy or run

Here's what I know. The boat is an 85 Tara. It has an OMC 400 stringer. The boat only cost a thousand dollars and I'm only looking to use it for a couple years to see if I like boating.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: omc stringer 400

if your budget is $1000 then STOP right now and rethink your boat... You could VERY quickly double or tripple your investment buying an antique I/O

At $1000 if you are a VERY good shopper you can get into a 12-16' aluminum with a decent outboard and you will end up with a MUCH better first boat experience......

To put this in perspective this would be like buying a $1000 Opal gt for a first car... you wouldn't have a car but rather you would have a 10 year project... biggest difference is that $12,000 and 10 years later the Opal would be really cool and the boat would be just another old boat.

 

[wannabboater]

Re: omc stringer 400

What about the Volvo b20 Penta?

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: omc stringer 400

What about the Volvo b20 Penta?

Ancient volvo engine, better known as the AQ130 I believe. Mates to a number of different ancient VP drives.. Parts are expensive. IMO a better choice then the stringer but I still wouldnt bite unless it was a solid runner on a solid boat and you can score it for your $1k budget.

As stated, your budget is begging for trouble. I will quote Howard Sterndrive and smokeonthewater you should let one of these two pieces of advice be your guiding light:

If you are looking for a 1980's boat- only look for a Mercruiser drive behind a Chevrolet 3.0/4.3/5.0/5.7

get into a 12-16' aluminum with a decent outboard and you will end up with a MUCH better first boat experience......

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: omc stringer 400

if those are your best choices I'd suggest finding someone for a FWB relationship-- no,,, not what you are thinking--- Friends With Boat

 

[wannabboater]

Re: omc stringer 400

What if I wasn't looking for long term in just looking for a couple years maybe

 

[tpenfield]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

Not really enough information to advise you, but the OMC word is troubling.

OMC went out of business quite a while ago, and parts and repairs can be spotty.

Do you know how big the boat is or anything else about it?

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

run.

LK

 

[jasoutside]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

The boat only cost a thousand dollars

That boat will likely cost you waaayyyyyy more than $1K

(OMC Stringer, RUN!)

see if I like boating.

I'm betting you'll hate boating if you go that ^^^ route:blue:

 

[Nivekt]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

Its only worth it if it is in excellent shape so you can part it out and make money to then go buy a newer boat that is not an OMC Stringer! :lol:

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

Not a good investment. Buy a newer boat.
Stay away from the older OMC and even some Cobras.
Volvo is the best.More costly.
Mercruiser,easy,cheaper to fix.