The OMC issue(s), is/are that they have been out of business since 2000, there is limited knowledge on some of their products such as the Cobra drives, and some parts are getting hard to find, but most of what you need is still out there either OE (from BRP, parent company of Evinrude) or in the aftermarket (Sierra or GLM). I suggest you pick up an OE shop manual if you can find one. My personal opinion of the Cobra drives is if they are adjusted and maintained properly they are excellent, as good as anything else out there. The issue is that depending on where you are, there are very few techs who know how to properly adjust them. And the adjustment is a bit tricky. I have had mine in salt water, moored there for 6 months each season and it has held up very well with regular maintenance. I taught myself how to set up the shift cable a few years ago and do all the maintenance myself. There is a website called Midnight Wolf OMC parts where they sell the tools you need to adjust the shift cable and also have updated instructions as well. As noted the impeller is very easy to replace, 10 min job. Good luck with the boat, it looks good and having been in a dry climate like Cali means less chance of rot, which is very common in all older boats.
