94 Vista 258: OMC King Cobra question

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

I am looking at a 94 Vista 258, my concern is that it is equipped with an OMC King Cobra 7.4L 454. How much future trouble am I potentially getting myself into with the OMC King Cobra?

Love the 258 design but if I’m potentially setting myself up for headaches in the future I may have to look elsewhere.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:50 pm

Awesome year for Vista's, and that engine/drive combo is rock solid. Yes, OMC is outta business, so you can't run to the nearest marina for parts, but there are plenty of places to still score them. EBay, Craigslist, http://www.crowleymarine.com/. If the survey comes back good, I wouldn't let the OMC part stop me from buying. Also 1994 was the first year of the joint venture OMC/Volvo, I think. So lots of SX Cobra drive parts can be interchangeable.

Whats the asking price on the 258?

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:22 pm

NiagaraChillin wrote:

Whats the asking price on the 258?

Just guessing...... $13,500

I agree the OMC was solid in it's day, but I would never buy a boat with that drive/engine today.
Parts are available, but getting harder and harder to find as time goes by. The older it gets, the harder it will
be to re-sell when the time comes. But some people like projects, and if you fit that category, you might be
okay with OMC.

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

Asking $11K, from my research it seems like people either hate the OMC King Cobra 454 combo saying its beefy or people wont touch it with a 10 1/2 pole. Not really looking for a project, I dont mind getting my hands dirty but dont want to get into something that I wont be able to get parts for. With that said I dont mind looking for parts as long as they can be had somewhere.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 5:22 pm

Water pump impellers are $120, so keep that in mind when it comes to service. Buy 3 the second you buy the boat, because they're made by a 3rd party and no telling when they'll quit production. OMC stock ran out years ago.

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:00 pm

Those OMC Kings were the short lived model that was about 1/3 bigger in all dimensions than the standard Cobras and while it had cone clutch shifting, it is not related to the joint venture product. Its too bad they stopped making them because they were very stout. I would not buy a boat with this drive because not only are parts hard to find I bet 85% of most mechanics have never seen one either. Find another boat.

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

disappointing, havent had it checked out but it appears to be a very clean boat

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:11 pm

Here is a link to a page that shows the differences, the drive is much bigger as is the transom mount when compared to both the original OMC Cobra and the joint venture SX Cobra.

http://www.allamericandriveservice.com/OMCCobra.html

The Kings used on the Ford 460 (regular Cobra upper gear housing and bigger V8 outboard lower unit, still dog clutch shifted) were referred to as the Baby Kings and the cone clutch models used on the 454s were referred to as the Daddy King model. I wish they kept building those and stayed in business. They could have given Merc a good run for their money if they had not made so many other bad decisions.

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

Need some help guys, really want to join the Four Winns community.
The 94 258 with OMC King Cobra is amoung the best condition boats I have looked at and has just about every option you can imagin. Has 330 hours asking 11K but has the darn outdrive im being told to stay away from. Also in the running is a 97 Vista 238. The 97 is also very well maintained and has Volvo penta dual prop asking 13K. I like the extra space of the 258 but want to know if you guys would reccomend loosing some space to avoid the King Cobra?

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:56 am

22bandit wrote:

Need some help guys, really want to join the Four Winns community.
The 94 258 with OMC King Cobra is amoung the best condition boats I have looked at and has just about every option you can imagin. Has 330 hours asking 11K but has the darn outdrive im being told to stay away from. Also in the running is a 97 Vista 238. The 97 is also very well maintained and has Volvo penta dual prop asking 13K. I like the extra space of the 258 but want to know if you guys would reccomend loosing some space to avoid the King Cobra?

Yes lose the space.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:58 am

Anyway you can post links to these 2 boats so we can contrast and compare? I promise we won't try and buy them out from under you... :lol:

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

I can give you all the info I have on the boats, I didnt think to take any pics when I was out there...

1994 258
330 hours
Fuel (75gal),
Fresh water (13gal)
Hot water (6 gal)
Holding (12gal)
Electric Stove
Microwave
Refrigerator
Sink
Shower
Marine Toilet
Camper enclosure (Great Shape)
Full storage cover (Good Shape)
Trailer

Added
2500 v Inverter
Generator (small camping type generator owner mounted next to generator incase batts die while out on the hook)
19 inch TV
DVD player
Metal 'Ice Box' under v-berth seating that has a compressor so it can be cooled (never seen this before)
windless with controls on the bow & at the helm
down rigger
Sainless Prop

Owner is mechanic and it shows

1997 238
sink
electric stove
refrigerator
marine toilet
shower
Volove penta with dual prop (stainless)
cockpit cover
new salon canvas
trailer

I have contact with the people that did annual maintenance and cleaning for owner

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:14 pm

1997 V238 with a Duo Prop?? BEAST!!!!

I would personally take that hands down without question over an old crusty king cobra 1994 258. The only difference is the cabin is a little smaller. Outside they're virtually identical room and the 1997 238 has a much more modern styling.

Do you plan on sleeping out every weekend with a family of 4 or ?

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

Im a single guy in my 20's so no fam of 4! I do plan to spend a weekend or two a month in the summer camping on it with a couple friends but mainly just spending the day enjoying the lake is what it will be used for.

Anyone with a 5.7 duo prop tell me what they are able to cruise at and what WOT speed is?

Thanks for your help on this guys!

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:54 pm

22bandit wrote:

Im a single guy in my 20's so no fam of 4! I do plan to spend a weekend or two a month in the summer camping on it with a couple friends but mainly just spending the day enjoying the lake is what it will be used for.

Anyone with a 5.7 duo prop tell me what they are able to cruise at and what WOT speed is?

Thanks for your help on this guys!

I'm 32 and single, hence the cuddy cabin (stabbin' cabin). Camping out with a lady friend is quite fun.

Is it the 5.7 GL, GLi, or Gi?
http://fourwinns.com/upload/Documents/C ... s_1997.pdf

www.iFourWinns.com

94 Vista 258: OMC King Cobra question

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