17ft sloop - outboard

[m1taylor]

Hi, over the winter my first wooden boat has come on a treat - ready for the lauch at the beginning of April. I have a Seagull Osprey long shaft which I was thinking of using - but looking at the little boat today, and the large seagull - it seems abit of a monster to put on the back, and perhaps overpowered at 5hp. Would I be better to get something significantly lighter? To what extent does an outboard swinging on the back of a small boat affect sailing performance? Provided you can get enough swing on a swinging bracket, can you successfully use a short shaft rather than a long?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Rest assured the 5hp Seagull Osprey isn't really 5hp; it'll do the job.

Long shaft is better as it's less likely to come out of the water when the boat pitches; as it will. A short shaft immersed enough to avoid coming out of the water will be a bar steward to start because of back pressure (head of water in the exhaust).

Lot's of people will tell you to ditch the Seagull because they're jealous of those who can start them.

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Rest assured the 5hp Seagull Osprey isn't really 5hp; it'll do the job.

Long shaft is better as it's less likely to come out of the water when the boat pitches; as it will. A short shaft immersed enough to avoid coming out of the water will be a bar steward to start because of back pressure (head of water in the exhaust).

Lot's of people will tell you to ditch the Seagull because they're jealous of those who can start them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jealous???

Hmmmm, don't think starting an outboard engine should have to be a special skill really /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Porthandbuoy]

[ QUOTE ]
don't think starting an outboard engine should have to be a special skill really /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Cars used to have starting handles, and drivers learned how to use them. Starting a seagull just requires a bit more nouse than your modern outboard. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Bajansailor]

Seagulls are unique Charlie - you need to have a very special relationship with them.

Think of the most tempermental woman you have ever been involved with - she would be an ordinary new 4 stroke outboard in comparison to a Seagull.

It takes a long time to build up a good rapport with a Seagull, where there is mutual trust on both sides - her trust in you, that you are not going to hurl her off the transom to a watery grave, and your trust in her that she will co-operate and do her job in a cheerful manner.
Once you have established such a relationship with your Seagull, treasure it! And she won't let you down.

 

[Guest]

What you two been smokin'???? I have had Seagull motors in the past, and I suppose they were ok in their day, but like I have said here before, their day has been and gone. There are a number of folks on here that seem to have a passion for the things, but then, there is "nowt sa queer as folk"!

I have a fully restored Model 80 long shaft with clutch and weedless propellor, not a bit of rust on it, I was trying to sell it a while back but nobody was interested, unless I was to practically give it away, so where were all the rose tinted gooey eyed enthusiasts then, hmmmmmmm?

Probably out buying a Mariner 4 stroke??!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[m1taylor]

Hi Mariposa, you have made me feel better about the Osprey. It just looks too big - checked the weight and it is around 25 kilos. The lightest modern 4hp seems to the Yamaha, at 22 kilos, so not a lot of difference. The seagull does start well, has low hours, cost me £100, and has fwd/neutral/reverse. But its does get disapproving looks from some for the pollution potential.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Tell the pollution protesters to go hang themselves. The LIFETIME carbon footprint of a seagull, with a life expectancy of 50 - 60 years, will equate to more than half a dozen modern outboards needing replaced every few years. Uprate it to 25:1 mix, if not done already, and use a modern oil designed for 2-strokes which burns far more efficiently and leaves far less residue than those of years ago.

Checkout this link: Seagulls

 

[Bajansailor]

Sorry Charlie, I wasnt smoking nuffin - should have flung in a few /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif for good measure, and maybe the odd !!!!, as my post above does seem in retrospect a tad too serious......

I much prefer oar power - have an inherent mistrust of all outboard engines...... perhaps thats why I never developed a proper relationship with our Seagull...... she lives in the cellar, unloved..... I saw the photo of the one you restored, and have for sale - she is beautiful! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif