omc zepher

[bob]

Ok lets see what you guys know out there in sailboat land. I'm looking at a 1974 vintage 27' with a OMC Zepher. Looks like a cool idea and looks like its been taken care of but it is a 30 year old motor. whats the word on these old girls? has anyone out there converted one to say a volve OMC deal? mosy of like age are single cylider diesel?bob

 

[Dave K.]

OMC saildrive

I commenting on this despite not having any experience with saildrives, but because I'm at work and I'm bored. So don't take me too seriously.What I've gathered from reading forums here and elsewhere on the net is that if you are looking at two boats and one has a Zephyr, get the other. Even ignoring the saildrive part, you are talking about an old, two-stroke, gasoline inboard. That's three negatives already when compared to a diesel inboard. As for the saildrive part, there'e no packing gland and no cutlass bearing, but there is lubricating oil and a big chunk of metal (read "anode") below the waterline. How much of a problem the aluminum outdrive is may depend a lot on how well bonded the boat is and how "hot" your particular marina is. A saildrive might be more practical for a boat kept on a mooring with no connections to shore power.There is a sort-of "support group" of Zephyr owners who share advice and exchange spare parts. There are also some re-powering opportunities with a small saildrive that uses a Honda 4 stroke outboard powerhead, but the expense of that might exceed the total value of an O'day 27

 

[Mike]

NO NO NO

Bob:The idea of a saildrive is a pretty good idea in and of itself. Many new boats have a saildrive system but they are all diesels.The OMC Zephyr is basically an evinrude or Johnson 35 HP powerhead detuned to 15 HP. It is, as was mentioned, a two cycle gasoline engine and is out of production. Parts can be obtained from Bombardier as they have bought the Johnson/Evinrude product line. Nearly all parts are out there except for the isolator ring which attaches the sail drive to the hull.As Dave K. said: If you have a choice between the OMC and a diesel, always go for the diesel. The diesel is much more expensive than the OMC gas engine but there is a reason why; it's worth it.The OMC is noisy, smelly, very gas hungry and loads up with carbon requiring an occassional rebuild. Get a boat with a diesel. You'll never be sorry. I didn't know about them when I bought my boat (an OD 28 which I love). Had I known I'd have gone for a diesel.Happy hunting,Mike

 

[bob]

Thanks Guys

Thanks for the info and your candor... too bad the boat is other then that in very good shape. however that was what i needed to hear. i have been working my way up size wise and this one(27'-30') may be my last, it should be the best.bob

 

[bruce]

sail drive

there is a omc saildrive forum on yahoo.com, lots of info, parts and owners.