www.iFourWinns.com

OK here is some OMC history for you newer Horizon guys:
For one thing, OMC bought FW in around 1986 or so, that is why so many FWs from that time period had OMC power, the OMC power packages were cheaper than Merc packages.
The pure OMC Cobra came out for the 1986 model year, with the dog clutch shifting. It was made that way till 93. In 90 they came out with a cone clutch drive for the big blocks because the dog clutch version did not hold up well with the big block motors. In 93-94 OMC and Volvo went into a joint venture operation and the Cobra was redesigned, with Volvo's input and at the same time Volvo came out with their own version of the Cobra, which shared some transom castings with the previous pure OMC model but had cone clutch shifting in the upper unit. This became the SX drive (initially called Cobra SX) and the OMC Cobras built from the 94-98 years were identical to the Volvo. In 98 or so Volvo bought out OMC's interest in the joint venture and that was it for OMC in sterndrives.

So if you have a 94 boat it COULD be the newer joint venture product, but it also could be a 93 powertrain with the old style pure OMC drive. The joint venture ones are to be preferred because you can get parts from Volvo and Volvo techs can work on them. Good to keep in mind if looking at an older FW. You really have to check the serial #s to figure out the year of the engine package, but anyone who has seen both can tell the difference just by looking. The pure OMC model has a flat cover across the top of the drive, the Volvo has a 'hump' in the top cover.

Like I said, too bad OMC had financial problems, the dog clutch Cobra was really not a bad drive and properly adjusted shifts fine. But I would not advise someone to buy one now, 15 years after the last true pure OMC's were built. From what I heard, Bombardier is not making new parts for these drives and some items are already hard to find. As are mechanics who can adjust them right.

Check carefully for wood rot in the deck (floor) and transom. Walk around the floor in bare feet feeling for flexing and see if the seats flex or rock back and forth. Grab the outdrive and see if you can flex it up and down, watch the transom while you do that. I had a rotted deck (not obvious when I bought it in 2002, but got bad under the rear seat by 2005) and the tops of the stringers were rotting too. Took a huge amount of work to get it fixed right, I had the stringers done by a 'glass shop, replaced the foam and deck myself and had the shop gelcoat the new deck for me so no carpet to trap moisture. I also bedded all the screw holes in 3M4200 sealer/adhesive. I'd never do that job again though.
Call all the marine repair shops in your area and see how many work on OMC Cobras, and have mechanics that went to the OMC schools. If there are "none" run away fast from that boat. If you just go a few years newer, you can get one with a Volvo SX which will be easier to get serviced and MUCH easier to sell when you do want to sell.

Depends on what you mean by the ocean. Keep in mind any bowrider than does not have a self bailing deck is a risk in any big water. I will not take mine out in any kind of bad conditions, it is a good riding hull with a 21 degree deadrise (deep vee) but they are not ocean or big water boats in my opinion. For that you want a true saltwater style boat like a Boston Whaler, Grady White etc, with outboard power that is less likely to get swamped from water coming over the bow. I use mine in Long Island Sound (salt water) but only on calm days.

Picture attempt.........

Zack