omc v mercruiser

[james hayden]

which is better to use 24' pontoon 3.0 mercruiser 1985 omc outdrive or 1996 mercruiser outdrive

 

[kenny nunez]

For all practicality the Mercruiser will prove out the best choice. Parts are readily available and getting technical advice is easily obtained.

 

[Scott Danforth]

which is better to use 24' pontoon 3.0 mercruiser 1985 omc outdrive or 1996 mercruiser outdrive

OMC has been out of business since the 90s

 

[dubs283]

A pontoon with a sterndrive is a walk away, get one with an outboard

Unless you want to work on it and realize engineers don't care

And if you really want to have fun get an omc

 

[tank1949]

which is better to use 24' pontoon 3.0 mercruiser 1985 omc outdrive or 1996 mercruiser outdrive

OMC is junk. MC not as bad of junk. I've had both.

 

[Bondo]

which is better to use 24' pontoon 3.0 mercruiser 1985 omc outdrive or 1996 mercruiser outdrive

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... If that OMC is a stringer drive, you Don't want it,.....
Even the 1st of the Cobras are less than desirable,....

A '96 Alpha is the current issue Alpha 1, Gen.II in which parts are readily available,.....
Unlike the '85 OMC that is very obsolete, with few parts available,.....

 

[Lou C]

Agreed, don't buy anything with an old OMC in it, the only ones that have pretty easy parts availability for the drive/transom mount are the joint venture ones made with Volvo (1994-1998), even then some of the ignition and EFI parts are impossible to find. I have an '88 that honestly has been great, no major problems but I have a lot of spares too. I'd have a hard time buying another I/O because here in salt water the just take too much maintenance, and modern boats with a few exceptions have very poor engine access. A Pontoon, I would really want with an outboard, that's the way to go.

 

[Scott06]

which is better to use 24' pontoon 3.0 mercruiser 1985 omc outdrive or 1996 mercruiser outdrive

No question 96 merc as it is still currently in prouduction.

Would also question a pontoon with an I/O. while personally I prefer I/O's, Pontoon boats are the absolute worst application for a I/O.... unless you own it already would look for an OB powered one...