1988 26 foot bayliner trophy 262 king cobra

[Jakem]

Considering buying this boat and I have never had a boat with omc gear...are they reliable and easy access to engine parys and out drive. The boat is mint and comes with a survey saying so . Any input would be appreciated

 

[Jakem]

Here's what it is

 

[racerone]

Spend your $$ wisely.----Old boats often require major structural repairs.----Parts for the OMC may be hard to find.----If you can not do your own work you may want to pass on this one.

 

[Scott Danforth]

OMC went out of business 8 years after that boat was built

Parts for King Cobras are near impossible to find

Bayliners from the 80s have less than poor build quality. Lots of exposed core material under the deck. This leads to rot

For those two reasons, I would skip it unless you have a desire for a project

 

[Jakem]

Thanks guys skip it is...I've done enough boat rebuilding on my last one

 

[Jakem]

Also looking at a 89 wellcraft 24 offshore. Solid boats or no...225 merc outboard

 

[Lou C]

An '88 "King" Cobra with the small block Chevrolet V8 would still be the standard Cobra dog clutch drive, most parts are out there, but some you have to use used parts, or aftermarket. That said, why make it more difficult you don't want to wind up like me and have a bunch of Cobra spares in your garage "just in case" lol.
OMC called some things "King" Cobra that were equipped with the standard Cobra drive and a high output engine, or through the hull exhaust.
The King Cobras that used different components than the standard Cobra drives were these:
1988-89 Ford 460 King, this used the standard Cobra upper gear housing and a larger V-8 Evinrude lower unit
1990 and up Big Block Chevrolet, used the totally different Cone Clutch King Cobra, these are the ones that are nearly impossible to get parts for
Some Ford 351s also came with this drive, it is easy to identify as it is much larger/wider than the standard Cobra drives.

 

[matt167]

Also looking at a 89 wellcraft 24 offshore. Solid boats or no...225 merc outboard

50/50 shot the boat is actually any good ( transom deck stringers ) unless you know it’s been restored correctly. Many old boats are deck over with pretty upholstery. Any of the boats of that age have rot if original.

The 225 Merc could be great could be worn out trash

 

[Scott Danforth]

Also looking at a 89 wellcraft 24 offshore. Solid boats or no...225 merc outboard

skip it. Wellcraft in the 80's used mostly wood as core. (they were built on the property where my work office is, and some of the old-timers worked at Wellcraft)

unless you want a project

 

[Lou C]

I wouldn’t consider any older boats that are wood cored, meaning more than 8-10 years. The work you’d have to do and the time it takes, I’m saying life is too short, keep saving money buy a late model composite boat like 5-7 years old. Old wood cored boats, old I/O power systems is just asking for headaches.

 

[Jakem]

I've been through the headache on my old boat...so definitely going to take my time on a purchase. Looked at 96 striper lastnight with 175 outboard...nice boat

 

[KD4UPL]

If you want a boat to use, that is not a restoration project, I wouldn't be looking at anything more than 20 years old. Even then it will likely need work. About 10 tears old would be better. Money is better spent on a newer boat in good condition than parts for an older boat. Boat restoring and pleasure boating are two different hobbies.

 

[cyclops222]

At least a 2002 Chaparral 196 with a 5.0 V8 My wife's retirement boat. You will like it.