Any Seagull outboard experts?

[Rivers & creeks]

And many people like Seagulls! I grew up with them, and will admit that there is probably a knack to operating them. But I don't recognize any of the starting problems people report - ours simply worked! If it didn't start quickly, you cleaned the plug and then it went. The only other (embarrassing) causes of it not starting were forgetting to unscrew the air vent on the tank or failing to open the fuel valve. Once those things were attended to, it worked. My brother and I had hours of fun zipping around in an inflatable powered by a Seagull (to pacify Dylan and others, I'll note that we didn't do this near other boats!); never once do I recall it failing to start once you did the right things. And you very quickly got into the knack of closing the fuel valve the right distance from the end of your run, so the carburettor is empty when it stops.

However, if you read the SOS site, you'll note that John tells of problems with machines that are Franken-Seagulls (he doesn't use that term!). Sadly, because of the interchangeability of parts between different models, there are Seagulls out there that have been put together from mis-matched parts. Sometimes that's fine; other times it isn't. I suspect a lot of the tales of Seagulls that are perennially unreliable etc. are machines that have been botched together with mis-matched parts from different models.

The other thing is that they won't work if the prop is too deep - the exhaust exits below the water and if there's too much back pressure, the engine won't run. A long-shaft model on a dinghy won't work, in general.

I'm not currently a Seagull owner!

Lovely post. If I may sumarise:

A Seagull outboard may or may not start, if it does start you love it more and if it doesn't then with a decent tool kit and maybe by sitting out of reach of the whip cord you can almost certainly start/fix it unless you have a bad one, in which case it'll always be rubbish.

I don't love my tender outboard because it just works. I love my dog though, even though he is the most stupidish animal I've met and after two years still cannot be trusted not to shit on the kitchen floor. But maybe his recalcitrance is the reason I love him and one person it seems loves Seagulls. You're welcome to them, machinery has moved on and I now have an inbuilt expectation that it will work. Seagulls and Stuart Turners belong to an age when you were pleasantly surprised if something worked. Like NASA always applauds a successful launch cos they sort of aren't sure if it will go OK.

 

[Tranona]

Seagulls and Stuart Turners belong to an age when you were pleasantly surprised if something worked. Like NASA always applauds a successful launch cos they sort of aren't sure if it will go OK.

Had both a Seagull and a Stuart Turner back in the 1980's and our then labrador (which we loved even if it was perfectly house trained) hated them, particularly trying to start the Stuart by hand. Would sit in the saloon growling and barking - probably the canine equivalent of the words I was using.

 

[rotrax]

If you remove the flywheel be sure to do it as per the instructions on the website ... Don't use a puller.

Good advice from VicS-if its Villiers it will be self extracting-loosen the nut and just keep winding untill it comes off.

Good Luck!

 

[VicS]

Good advice from VicS-if its Villiers it will be self extracting-loosen the nut and just keep winding untill it comes off.

Good Luck!

No I am afraid that does not apply to Seagulls. It applies to Villiers engines on old motorcycles and lawn mowers etc

The procedure for Seagulls is on the website at http://saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/faq/flywheel.htm

My lawn mower has a Villiers Mk 2 Midget engine ..... it is so old that the grass box has a Royal coat of arms on it and the words "By appointment to His Majesty King George VI"

 

[jwilson]

Mine won't seem to run on anything less than 1:20. Can't understand why, other 2 strokes are happy on 1:50.

In 1966 the makers instruction book would have said 10:1 mix of lowest grade petrol and straight 30 motor oil. And it would have fired first pull every time. Both mine did anyway, year in year out. And year in year out they leaked petroil every time you tickled the carb.

I now use a modern(ish) outboard, much cleaner but far less reliable.....

 

[VicS]

In 1966 the makers instruction book would have said 10:1 mix of lowest grade petrol and straight 30 motor oil. And it would have fired first pull every time. Both mine did anyway, year in year out. And year in year out they leaked petroil every time you tickled the carb.

I now use a modern(ish) outboard, much cleaner but far less reliable.....

From my owners manual

 

[syTaika]

Simply the best!

http://www.prelude-owners.info/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3184

 

[Pete7]

Nasher, I have a similar engine which pushed Old Spice along at 2.8 knots in flat calm water of Haslar Creek. It is hidden in the loft less Viv should see it. I keep telling myself it's my retirement present.

 

[VicS]

Nasher, I have a similar engine which pushed Old Spice along at 2.8 knots in flat calm water of Haslar Creek. It is hidden in the loft less Viv should see it. I keep telling myself it's my retirement present.

I hope in your retirement you will restore it to its original colour scheme. Silver flywheel, if its a Villiers mag, and black tank. Even consider taking the tank apart and knocking out the dents. John Williams can supply the decals I believe.
It's not the correct prop either is it?

 

[Pete7]

Correct, I did try the 4 blade "windmill prop" but it made little difference moving 2 tonnes of rib, the dent may stay as a battle scar and the brass, so I have something to polish.