OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

[EPcaptain]

I'm looking at used boats of the early 90's vintage. One is a '93 Conquest with a 4.3L V6 OMC outdrive. One of my friends tells me to stay away from OMC outdrives. We had one when I was a kid and didn't have any problems. Is one better than the other or should I not worry about whether its an OMC or merc? THANKS.

 

[bowhuntrrl]

Re: OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

At the risk of catching some flack, I will stick my neck out. Let's put it this way, when they are running, an OMC is probably better than a Mercruiser. OMCs are a bear to get parts for. They changed stuff over the years and all parts are not available. There are also less people that know how to work on them. I run Mercruiser simply because of ease to get parts and repairs. They may not be the best, but you can get parts almost anywhere.<br /><br />Rich

 

[arks]

Re: OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

OMC's are white elephants. If you have a choice, go with Mercruiser or Volvo-Penta due to their parts availability. In my opinion, V-P makes the best, most reliable drive on the market, but their service network is not nearly as widespread as Merc. FYI- I have a Merc.

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

As others said, OMC is out of business and there is no official dealer support. They sold off their sterndrive business to Volvo around 99 or so and the OMC sterndrives made from 94 on were the joint venture ones that are basically the same as a Volvo SX. The earlier Cobras 86-93 had bad shift cables and were recalled, but many do not know how to properly adjust these. You need to find out if you get a shop with OMC experience to work on it. If so, they are not bad at all, and I have not had trouble getting parts. If not, it will be difficult to keep running since many shops will not work on OMC's. Probably less trouble overall to get a Merc or Volvo. Also it will be easier to resell the boat with one of those 2, people may not want to buy an OMC powered boat knowing they are out of business.

 

[GregCC167Concept]

Re: OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

I have an OMC and haven't had any problems getting service or parts so far. But I must admit I am always nervous about the day I will need something and can't get it. Contrary to popular belief - a belief until recently I shared, the parts network for OMC's is still very good considering they are not producing complete units anymore.<br /><br />All things considered, if it came down to a decision where all that was materially different was OMC vs. Merc, I'd let the Merc be the tie breaker.

 

[jeremyp111]

Re: OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

I currently have a 1988 Bayliner 2655 Ciera with a OMC Cobra drive and have had no problems whatsoever getting service or parts. I am also in the process of buying a 1994 Chris-Craft 322 Crowne that has OMC 5.8 EFI engines and based on what was said above the drives are made by both OMC and Volvo? If this is the case, then who should I go to for service on the drive? OMC or Volvo? What is the quality of the co-manufactured drive from this period? Any help would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Jeremy

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC or Merc Outdrive-which is best?

If the drives are really 1994s, they are probably the joint venture ones, and those can be serviced at a Volvo shop. However, somtimes a 94 boat will have a 93 engine/drive, so you have to check the ID#s (on the thermostat housing, transom plate, and drive housing). The 94 and newer ones look different than the 86-93 ones, there is a raised portion on the top of upper housing (original Cobra was flat across the top) and they do not have the water pump access panel at the rear of the upper housing (impeller is engine mounted on the newer ones). So see what you have there first.<br />Now of course if it is an OMC unit and you got good service before just stick with them.