omc stringer 400

[southkogs]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

IF the boat is running fine (not one of those CL, "it just needs ____________ "), and IF the boat hull and interior are in excellent shape (not a restore, or "needs TLC" boat), then I personally might be willing to risk $1,000 on an OMC. If either of those two "IFs" aren't satisfied on inspection ... the risk of the money to me would be too much.

A Stringer when (not if) it breaks can be relatively easy to fix or very difficult and expensive. And if you're going to own one, you have to be prepared to spend some time in the garage with it ... and be prepared to be stranded in dry dock once in a while.

Ultimately, I like my boat and my drive. I bought it in ignorance, but it's been relatively inexpensive for me. If I were buying another boat, or could go back and do this buy all over again ... I wouldn't buy an OMC.

With a boat like this, run a careful cost/benefit check.

 

[gm280]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but am I getting the impression that OMC made great OB's but sorry IB's and/or IB/OB's setups? I was a devote Mercury user until I came to these forums and have switched my thinking that OMC (Johnson and Evinrude) were the OB engine of choice...am I wrong...?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc stringer 400

Mercruiser Alpha One or MC-1 behind a Chevrolet engine
end of search parameters

spend the rest of your time taking an ice pick to the floor and transom looking for rot. Cut a hole in the floor under a seat base and look for waterlogged floatation foam. There are enough issues to spend your time on beyond looking for obsolete parts.
Compression test the engine, listen to it run long enough to verify no water in oil. A water test is the real way to determine value.

 

[Nivekt]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but am I getting the impression that OMC made great OB's but sorry IB's and/or IB/OB's setups? I was a devote Mercury user until I came to these forums and have switched my thinking that OMC (Johnson and Evinrude) were the OB engine of choice...am I wrong...?

From what I have learned and read, they were both good. The only issue now is that they went out of business and no parts are being manufactured with the exception of a few common wear parts(gaskets, etc.) that BRP and Sierra are still supporting. To make matters worse and because of the liability you will be hard pressed to find a mechanic that will look at them. Too many years of owner neglect and the mechanics shy away because they cannot accurately quote a job.

My only experience is with OMC Stringer drives and while I really enjoy mine, I can't help but feel it is overly complicated/over engineered in some areas. I have studied the exploded diagrams of many I/O systems and some of the systems of my OMC setup always has me scratching my head as to "why"? Needless to say, I love working on mine but I am a 'tinkerer' so it suits me. I have as much fun tearing into my setup as I do on the water. Call me crazy...

 

[Don S]

Re: omc stringer 400

Merged both of your threads together, Please don't post the same question in multiple forums.

 

[Scott Danforth]

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.

I have an Opel GT project if your interested.......

 

[floattest]

Re: omc stringer 400

Just to tell you about my 2 boat experiences, maybe will help your decision.

My brother and I own a 17 open bow with a mariner outboard. This boat has tons of on water hours and lots of fun banked, it's a horse too, 6 people in it and pulling two tubes, the 115 mariner takes all of it with smiles. It cost 1400 dollars with the trailer. The only thing we needed to do to the engine was replace the tilt motor in 9 seasons. General maintenance for outboard and that's it.

My other boat is a 20 foot cuddy with OMC 800 and GM 350. I love it but I have put in a lot in money and hours in the shop to bank the fun days on the water. They are fun days now too, beacuse of all the shop time, it's like you gotta pay more to play.

I've enjoyed a lot of the wrenching but got less boat time than I would have liked. I'm into this boat about 10K for the last 5 seasons. For that I've got a great boat and lots of spare parts and a ton of knowledge. Not neccesarily willingly

So for your purpose a 16 foot Alum or glass boat with a 90 horse outboard would be perfect first boat to get on the water cheap and easy. You can ski, tube or fish a lot of water with a 90 hourse outboard.

You probably have already figured this out.

People have a lot of emotion about the OMC question but it's simply a matter of hours/dollars in the end and OMC is on the wrong side of that equation.

have fun on the water whatever you do.

 

[happyhitter]

Re: omc stringer 400

thats sounds like a good start. If i could afford a pair of new 250hp outboards on the back of my 24.5 4 Winns i would but its cost prohibitive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: omc stringer 400

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

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... If ya Wanta be a Boater, or think ya do, buy a newer boat for more money,...
If ya don't like it, it'll still be worth more money....
As,...
A Cheap boat, ain't Never Cheap...
Spend the money on a solid Runnin' boat, or you'll spend it makin' a Cheap boat run right.....

 

[old islander]

Re: omc stringer 400

If an when you CAN find the parts for this drive...the cost of them will make your brain bleed...trust me, I had this out drive just 4 years ago. It took months to find the parts I needed and the parts houses that have them know they have you over a barrel. You will pay DOUBLE what you can get Merc parts for. Run as fast as you can from this deal.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: should i buy or run

Re: should i buy or run

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but am I getting the impression that OMC made great OB's but sorry IB's and/or IB/OB's setups? I was a devote Mercury user until I came to these forums and have switched my thinking that OMC (Johnson and Evinrude) were the OB engine of choice...am I wrong...?

Yes, you are........ (wrong) and you are pretty much hijacking this thread (but we all like doing that! ).

It's an I/O thread about an I/O from a company that no longer exists.

Johnson Evinrude (OB) engines were made by a company that STILL DOES exist. They were outstanding engines, THEN and NOW.

If I was going to buy a new OB, it would probably be an Evinrude.