New Member, New Owner!

Beastly1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:50 am **Posts:** 13

Hello All,

New member here, been lurking around for a couple of weeks gathering info, checking out other peoples rigs. Today is the day I write the check! 1990 vista 245 w/5.7 omc Cobra drive. Pretty pumped! Obviously will need a good buffing, and a little upholstery work, but I am excited to hook this thing up to the truck!

I have the truck in the shop right now (1997 Ford F150, triton V8) getting it all ready for towing capabilities. Had leaf spring helpers installed a year ago, as well as towing suspension.

I have owned a few smaller boats (fishing boats) but this is my first step into the world of cruisers. Currently live just outside of Grand Junction CO, so this will be a Lake Powell/Blue Mesa/Flaming Gorge rig.

Any suggestions for a new cruiser owner? I've already done my due diligence, and have researched many manufacturers, and Care/Maintenance procedures, Having the gimbal, splines, outdrive checked out today before I sign the check, engine is in tip top for a boat with this many years on it. Single owner, kids grew up, no time to boat. I'm getting into it for a pretty good deal.

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks in advance! And pumped to be a FW owner!

LVChris · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:42 pm

Pre-Welcome to the Vista family!
Post some pics when you get a chance, and go through the old posts on this forum for a wealth of knowledge on Four Winns specifically.
I have a 1996 238 Vista with a Cobra SX, so I don't know much about your particular set-up, but I have read some negative things about the King Cobra.

Maybe Lou can step in and explain...I did find this thread...
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13187&hilit=king+cobra

Good Luck and I hope it all works out.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:48 pm

Welcome!

That boat has a King Cobra outdrive?! DON'T WRITE THE CHECK!!

Beastly1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:50 am **Posts:** 13

Standard Cobra out drive, OMC 5.7 350 chevy,

Does that sound a little better?

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:08 pm

Beastly1 wrote:

Standard Cobra out drive, OMC 5.7 350 chevy,

Does that sound a little better?

Are you having a shop do a professional survey?

LVChris · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:10 pm

My mistake I swore it said king Cobra.

Beastly1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:50 am **Posts:** 13

Hey Ric,

Yessiree, survey was done last week, boat is water worthy! I kind of knew from lurking around on here to avoid the King Cobras at all costs, as in "run don't walk away!" Concerns are much appreciated! I will be getting it wet this weekend hopefully, (for a test run).

Shifting is smooth with no grinding, lifted the engine compartment and did the old mechanic screwdriver-to-the-ear-trick to listen for any knocks (rods) or squeals, runs like a champ!

Will be getting new batteries, and having the out drive disassembled, greased, and gone through.

Surveyor said great boat at an unbeatable price for the condition.

I forsee vacation time burned for early get-outs on Fridays in my near future.

Beastly1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:50 am **Posts:** 13

Also, Thanks to LVChris for the heads up! Made me do a double check for sure!

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:43 pm

You can't beat stepping into a big cruiser for less than 8k!!

Beastly1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:50 am **Posts:** 13

It was a couple large less than that even!

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:32 pm

Beastly1 wrote:

It was a couple large less than that even!

Party on your boat this weekend!!!

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:07 pm

I've got a lot of regular Cobra knowledge based on 12 years of ownership and maintenance. The critical things are the proper adjustment of the shift system (both the transom shift cable and the remote control cable) and filling the drive with gear oil properly.
When they are set up and maintained properly they are very good drives. The impeller is very easy to change and the bellows replacement is easier than the Merc Alpha. As long as I can get the parts I need no reason to change from the Cobra.
I got the 3 OMC tools that make adjusting the shift system pretty easy. While a lot of mechanics won't work on them, I didn't find it hard to do at all.
Just make sure the drive is filled properly and it does not jump out of gear.

Jsyphil · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 6:26 am

Welcome along buddy. Lots of good info here....

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 2:42 pm

Beastly1 wrote:

Standard Cobra out drive, OMC 5.7 350 chevy,

Does that sound a little better?

I owned a 1987 OMC Cobra drive and 4.3L Chevy from 1994 to 2012. Great Drive, just finicky on shifter adjustments, but LouC has written a lot about that.

The reliability of the OMC Cobra is what led me to look for Volvo SX drive on my current boat. (Volvo SX is the same design, but with a Cone Clutch instead of a Dog Clutch)

Welcome to the forum.

Beastly1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:50 am **Posts:** 13

Thanks LouC, rpengr,!

Pulled it into the yard yesterday on my lunch break, now comes the fun part. Remove oxidation, change plugs and oil, clean it up from sitting around for a year, register, title transfer on the trailer, insure......Then drive!!

Even on dry land a beer tastes better in a boat!

www.iFourWinns.com

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