OMC to buy or not

[Martman]

This is most likely a dumb question but should one buy a boat with a good running OMC outdrive,(early 80's vintage) I know they are out of business, but were they any good anyway, and are parts obsolete.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: OMC to buy or not

If it was CHEAP sure go ahead. Run it till it needs something you can't get. Parts aren't impossible to find, just more difficult and sometimes more expensive. As long as you go into it knowing what you're getting, go for it.

 

[QC]

Re: OMC to buy or not

I'll kinda second what ez says . . . kinda. Go over to the I/O section vvvvvvv and do a search for OMC and get all the info you can. The consensus is that you can usually find a Merc or Volvo powered boat for similar money, if you can then that would usually be the better plan. I am not an OMC hater, and my BIL still has my fist boat which was a '83 with a stringer drive. It has had many tilt motors and of course ball gears periodically too.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: OMC to buy or not

Yeah good point, I'd be more willing to consider a Cobra than a Stringer.

 

[aspeck]

Re: OMC to buy or not

Locally the dealer that sold most of the boats sold OMC's. He is extremely reputable and has good connections for OMC parts. In this area, purchasing a used boat with an OMC would not be a problem. But if your area doesn't have someone like our local dealer/parts finding wizard, well, then it could be not so good, unless it was really cheap.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC to buy or not

This is most likely a dumb question but should one buy a boat with a good running OMC outdrive,(early 80's vintage) I know they are out of business, but were they any good anyway, and are parts obsolete.

Ayuh,... That sounds like a Stringer drive...

If you wanta just go Boatin',... You probably otta spend your money elsewhere...
If you're a Handy kinda guy who'd be happy tinkerin',+ only boating occasionally,...
Have at it...
If you're a Newbie Boater, who knows little or Nothin' about boats, motors,+ Wrenchin' in general,...
You most Definitely wanta buy a more Popular boat, motor,+ drive....

 

[eastont]

Re: OMC to buy or not

When I asked my mechanic what he thought about a boat I was looking at that had an OMC outdrive, he told me if I got it to find a new mechanic. He wouldn't be able to charge me for the time it would take to source parts.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC to buy or not

When I asked my mechanic what he thought about a boat I was looking at that had an OMC outdrive, he told me if I got it to find a new mechanic. He wouldn't be able to charge me for the time it would take to source parts.

He was correct! OMC mechanics are near non-existing.

It probably is a OMC Stringer drive unless it is 1986 or newer.Then it could be a Cobra.Either way finding a mechanic will be near impossible in some places.

I would pass on it....

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: OMC to buy or not

I would pass unless the budget allowed for a full repower.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC to buy or not

I would pass unless the budget allowed for a full repower.

If its a Stringer drive that would be a BIG budget!...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: OMC to buy or not

I would pass unless the budget allowed for a full repower.

And, if it is a Stringer, this means a complete rebuild and redesign of the transom.

The stringer drives put no weight on the transom. All other drives put weight on the transom. A safe conversion would be difficult.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: OMC to buy or not

Yuch!!

That would have to be a VERY desirable hull!

 

[Martman]

Re: OMC to buy or not

Thanks for the good advise, I will stay away from OMC. I am trying to get back into boating after 15 years and do not want to spend a fortune. I live in western Canada, we have a short season, and we do not not have a good selection of reasonable priced boats like our friends in the US.