seagull outboard

[Guest]

Hi,

I have found a seagull 40 plus outboard for sale in my local ad paper. I'm looking for an outboard for my Wayfarer as my wife and I have started to use the boat for cruising. I am not sure if this outboard would be suitable as I've heard mixed opinions, i.e. it's noisy and smokey but very reliable. How noisy and smokey are these engines? Should I hold out for something a bit more modern such as a Yamaha or Suzuki 2hp? The outboard will be perminently mounted onto an outboard bracket and lowered when required. Any help or advice from current or previous seagull owners would be greatly appreciated.

regards

Mat

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[burgundyben]

very oily, very smokey, very relaible, should be cheap, paid 40 quid for mine and had great service, but, 40 plus is only 1.5hp I think so might struggle a bit with wayfarer against a lot of tide.

<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.

 

[vyv_cox]

Sod the Healey - I think I\'ll buy an E-Type

Having had both and some more, I wouldn't pick either. Triumph TR5 was the best British sports car I ever owned. 2.5 litre Tecalemit fuel injected engine was smooth, plenty powerful and reliable. Handling and comfort good and the Targa top was excellent. More room in the back for small kids. E-type was OK but handling less good, corrosion dreadful, twitchy at speed with tired suspension. IMHO.

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[Sybarite]

I have a 40plus for the dinghy. The great thing about them is that they are so simple that you can maintain them without any problem. The key is to keep the fuel and carb as clean as possible. Any problems I have had normally concern fuel that has been lying for some time which then clogs the jet in the carburettor. I completely stripped and cleaned it a few days ago in about 10 minutes. The jet itself can be cleaned in about 2 minutes.

I think the 40plus would be quite adequate for the Wayfarer. You would probably only use it when there is no wind.

John

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[stubate]

Re: Sod the Healey - I think I\'ll buy an E-Type

my mate had a tr5 cost a fortune to fettle the injector pump but was then smooth and sounded gorgeous, me had mgb roadster, chris thought his tr5 would trounce the mgb, one day abersoch to pwllheli, straight bit past llanbedrog, crawled past him, both doing ton plus. i was surprised as him. folklore said tr5 should beat mg but it didnt!
na na di na na
stu

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[VicS]

I have a 40+ which is adequate for a Mirror and a 40 Featherweight for a small tender. I feel that a 40+ would be a little under powered for a Wayfarer other than in calm and tide free conditions. They are very noisy, which might become an issue if running for long periods. They are generally reiable but some people find them tempremental. They are about the only small engines that will survive a ducking, useful if used on a sailing dinghy. Older engines with square bladed propellors (like mine) are very susceptible to picking up weed, so it must be possible to get at them, which is difficult on a dinghy with a stern deck. They are oily messy things to handle and they make the boat messy as well as your hands. Older engines (like mine) use 10 to 1 petrol oil mix but can be easily converted to run on 25: 1 which makes them less messy.

I wouln't be without mine but my new inflatable is a very light colour and I am having 2nd thouhts about using one on that.

If its cheap and in good order buy it try it and if you dont like it you'll always be able to sell it for what you paid for it.

See the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk>Saving old seagulls web site</A>

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[sailbadthesinner]

if you need any info contact <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/>these guys</A>

only comment would be need to maintain them. Constant pulling and repulling to get a recalcitrant seagull going will put undue strain on your outboard mounting and transom

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>

 

[dickh]

All seagulls are oily, smelly, easy to repair, a B***** to start sometimes, even with fresh fuel, will pack up on you when you don't want it to, lots of spares around. Some people Love them or Hate them. Now that I have a Honda 2hp I wonder why I persisted with them. The Honda is quiet, never leaks oil or fuel, easy to start(but not for SHMBO, but she could never start the seagull either...).
Go for a more modern outboard.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[vyv_cox]

Re: Sod the Healey - I think I\'ll buy an E-Type

I'm surprised but wouldn't argue. I heartily disliked my MGB and got rid of it quite quickly. I think the TR5 was quicker than it but of course didn't measure. For driving pleasure there was no comparison.

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[Broombroomput]

I love my forty plus, perhaps the same way people love classic cars, you can see what all the 'bits' do. It is plenty powerful enough for a wayfarer as Seagulls measured their horse power differently. They attached it to a dingy then attached this to a spring balence connected to the jetty and gave it full revs!! All the parts are readily available and there's a grate web site www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk

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[Birdseye]

got a seagull 40 - it fine for the tender, reasonably reliable (but has old points style ignition system) but is heavy, noisy and crude. also have a mariner 2hp which is definitely better quality, more reliable (since when did 1940's british engineering match 1980's japanese?) and would be my choice for the sort of use you are talking about.

the mariner has never, not even once, failed to start on the first pull over a 15 year period. even after storing all winter and still running on last years petrol . they can corrode a bit so stay under 5 years old, but only sentimentality keeps me messing with the seagull.

bit like comparing the old british bikes with modern jap ones. yes the old british ones are characterful and fun to play with. the modern jap ones simply do the job.

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[Davo_e]

I've got a 40+, and a Wayfarer..... No problems with either. Seagull starts every time, no problems. Just ensure you have a spare prop spring and split pin to hand..

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[Sybarite]

I will admit to the nostalgic bit. I used a 40 plus 40 plus years ago.

John

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[Calluna]

We fitted a recoil start to our 40+. Prior to this there was a definite skill in getting the thing to start, which I never quite mastered (usually ended up elbowing someone in the face or taking their eye out with the pull chord). Now it's fine as long as the fuel isn't too old or oily, but the recoil start top makes it even heavier.

Heather

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[graham]

Seagulls are reliable,incredibly long lasting.easy to work on,parts are still available.

On the down side they are noisy(If you do more than half an hour motoring it will get you down),They use more oil than newer engines. They tend to be oily on the outside surfaces which means taking great care not to touch your sails after touching the motor.



In your position I think I would look for a small Mariner ,Tohatsu Yamaha Mercury or something similar.Dont buy anything ancient as parts will be a problem. Tomos parts are not available anymore.

2 to 3 hp will be plenty and definitely dont go above 4 hp as the weight will affect sailing performance.

People fall in love with their Seagulls for some odd reason,eg I have an ancient 40plus that never gets used but I could not bring myself to sell it.

 

[milltech]

Re: Sod the Healey - I think I\'ll buy an E-Type

I loved my MGB, cruising the Kings Road, top down, pirate Radio London going full blast, in my John Lennon shades. Drinks at the Admiral Cod, Lunch at the Chelsea Kitchen and sex everywhere. No hint it wouldn't go on forever. Aarrh those were the days. Celia, Caroline, Sally, where are you now?

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Guest]

Thanks for everyones advice.

For now I think I will get myself a jap motor, slightly loathed to though. I like the sound of the seagull, I'm a sucker for old british engineering. I have an old series IIA Landrover and from what people have said the seagull sounds just like it. Noisy, oily and smokey, but reliable (usually!). He's looking for £120 as it's in very good condition. I think I'll keep my eye out for a cheap one, strip it down and keep it as a spare.

Thanks again

Mat



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[fluffc]

Seagulls are like marmite - you either love them or hate them.

If you've not had a seagull before, then I'd advise you to try it out before committing to buying it. They are like classic cars - personally I love them for their simplicity - but they can be a lethal bit of kit (unprotected flywheel). Also quite heavy for the performace they give (bear in mind that you are going to have to lift it over the rear locker of your wayfarer).

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