Stringer Vs Cobra

[dozerII]

Quick question, I have heard the Stringers are not a good purchase due to parts availability how is the Cobra in comparison?

 

[Don S]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

OMC sterndrives went out of business in 1998. They no longer exist. No new OEM parts being manufactured.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

The Cobra wasn't a great design.
Neither was the stringer.
The places and people that work on OMC is getting scarce.
Your best bet is Volvo,nothing past 96(I think).
Then Mecruiser, don't buy anything too old.
Still tons of parts and places to buy from.

 

[Don S]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

Your best bet is Volvo,nothing past 96(I think).

Why is that? What happened in 96 that would make you not want anything after that point?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

"Stringer" describes several different OMC drives from 1964-1985
"Cobra" describes 3 or 4 different drives from 1986 to the mid 90's

would need to know more specifics to give my answer as I think some stringer drives (mainly the last generation of 800 series 1982 to 1985) are better than most Cobras for a trailer boat. Some Cobras ok, others not. A small number of the last Cobras are actually Volvo drives which is cool. Some Cobras can replaced by an SEI conversion Mercruiser style drive which is handy, others can't which makes them worse.

The easy answer is to just not buy OMC.
When looking for 20+ year old boats, I would only look for a Mercruiser Alpha One or MC-1 drive behind a Chevy engine.
Parts, labour, and knowledge are available for less $ with that than any other setup.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

Thanks guys for the replys, the OMC in question is a 1991 4.3 the only other info I have is it is a cobra.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

too old and expensive,

 

[Lou C]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

I don't agree with some of what was said here Stringer vs Cobra. First, the ujoints of the Cobra are less wear prone than the ball gear drive of the Stringer, and allow running trimmed up which is not recommended with the Stringer. The Stringer seemed to have more oil sealing and water intrusion issues, the Cobra can tolerate being moored in salt water without water intrusion if sealed properly. The Cobra trim system is less troublesome than the Stringer system of lifting the whole extremely heavy engine vs lifting an 85 lb drive. Once mine was sealed properly I never had water intrusion problems and the trim system always worked. The Cobra weak spot is the sticky shift cable and bell crank issue.

Some Cobra parts are hard to find but many are not . I have been buying new OEM parts for years so some of the replacement parts are obviously still made. But wanna make your life easy get a Merc or Volvo.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

Thanks for the replys everyone. Went to look at the boat yesterday, it is in very nice condition, used a week a year since new and always stored in a garage. It runs like a top. The P/O had the gears replaced in the upper unit two years ago at a cost of $2200. The only issue we found was it wants to stall when going into reverse, I'm thinking something to do with the ESA system??

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

The only issue we found was it wants to stall when going into reverse, I'm thinking something to do with the ESA system??

If the ESA is activating out of the water and/or going into gear, plan on changing the lower shift cable.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

If the ESA is activating out of the water and/or going into gear, plan on changing the lower shift cable.

Thanks Bruce, the PO of this boat had the upper rebuilt and the shift cable, bellows and such replaced 2 years ago. The boat has only been used about 10hr since the rebuild. He said he contacted the Marina that did the work and explained the problem, they told him it was a simple adjustment that was needed, could this be possible? and if so just follow the cable adjustment instructions from the manual?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

You can try that first to see. Make sure you buy the special tools. You will need to remove the drive to do it properly.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

You can try that first to see. Make sure you buy the special tools. You will need to remove the drive to do it properly.

Thanks Bruce, I downloaded the manual in the sticky section and will do some reading, to see what is needed and what is involved.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

Quick question, I have heard the Stringers are not a good purchase due to parts availability how is the Cobra in comparison?

Howdy,

What you have heard is more or less correct.

The parts supply for certain Cobras are somewhat better than for a Stringer.

Now having said that, I would suggest that most people not buy a boat with ANYTHING OMC in the description because there are PLENTY of newer boats out there with Volvo or Mercruiser engines and drives that are still fully (parts/service) supportable and trouble free.

ymmv,


Rick

 

[dozerII]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

Thanks Rick, but too late, one of my drivers picked the boat up this weekend. I am thinking it is going to be a good boat as it has been very well maintained.

 

[Artwerke]

Re: Stringer Vs Cobra

Rick, I'm shocked to hear I picked a hard to find parts for orphan, I always had Evinrude outboards, just couldn't find a soft spot for the tall black towers. Now my new boat with a stringer outdrive fits in with all the Austin Healeys, TR 3 & 250,Jaguars, & MGs Iv'e masochisticly owned over the years. Oh yeah, an International Scout also. Art.