www.iFourWinns.com

My neighbor has seen my awesome Four Winns 200 horizon and is now searching for one. He has found a 180 with the 5.0 OMC. I thought I read on her somewhere to try and stay away from OMC because they don't make them anymore and parts are tough to find? True? Thoughts?

Its a 1994 180 that he has eyes on.

Appreciate everyone, mine has had all the necessary tune up/plugs/wires/fuel pump/impellar/etc. Roughing tough now and trying to get one more ride before she gets wrapped tight.

_________________
[img][IMG]http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll199/ejjones55/IMG_0998.jpg[/img][/img]
1997 Four Winns Horizon 200 Volvo 5.7L GLi
Towed: 2004 Ford F-150 Lariat 4x4
Riverview, MI

True. Walk away, regardless of "they were good if maintained properly" "parts are still available"
have him look for something newer with Merc Power.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

If that boat really has a 1994 power package, those OMC Cobras were the same as Volvo Penta SXs of the same year. Same engine, drive, part #s etc. But if you are in an area where all the service shops do Merc and very few Volvo, not good anyway. Here Merc and Volvo are equally easy to get serviced. There are even a few places that do OMCs, I do my own. Got the manuals, shift cable tools, etc. Too bad they are out of business, the Cobra engineering wise is superior to an Alpha in both design and operation.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Out of interest, why Merc power over VP?

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

For many it's a practical matter, there are more shops that are trained to work on Mercs and Merc parts are everywhere. Here there is no problem finding Volvo service though.
Some of their recent designs have been less than great.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I agree here. If you're going to do your own maintenance the VP SX drive clone that Cobra actually created is great. Maintenance is flat EASIER in every regard with minimal tools purchased (shift cable tool, drive alignment tool). But if you're paying for maintenance it can be best to find a MerCruiser.
That said. When it comes time to tear apart that Cobra/VPSX drive and replace real components even the DIY tech may wish for the Merc. Still a huge pain but the dog clutch adds a bit of complexity that similar-vintage Merc solves with a shift interrupter. Shift interrupter is clunky and also needs regular adjustment (not to mention an updated Shift Interrupt assembly depending on what sterndrive you end up with) with a proprietary tool. I believe the aftermarket has caught up to the SI adjustment tool which saves money.

_________________
1999 FW H200 - 305Gi - SX