Seagull Outboards- trusty workhorse or obsolete headache

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sazzylou

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Im thinking of getting shut of my trusty seagull and replacing it with one of those new-fangled honda fourstrokes-
Does the panel think this is worthwhile or should i let the motorised oilslick soldier on for another 30 years ?
any avice appreciated!
 
It depends. How much trouble is the seagull giving you? I've seen seagulls that still start on the first pull, while others need a week of coaxing for a minute of running time.

The fact that you call it your trusty seagull makes me think it's still rather well behaved. And they do look better behind a classic boat than these modern jobs. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
My advice, fwiw, is to get yourself a 2-stroke Yamaha 2B [before the busybodies ban them]. Mine never fails to start and it is the lightest on the market, or it was when I bought it, and it doesn't care which side you lay it down on.
 
The Seagull is a hazardous object. Give it to me and I will dispose of it for you at no additional charge... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Seriously, get a 25:1 conversion needle from John Williams at Saving Old Seagulls to reduce the oil consumption and keep it.

My 40+ is 37 years old and never lets me down - I have friends who wish they could say as much of their Honda 4 strokes.
 
I had one that never let me down - it sat o the stern all winter and summer never refused to start. I had another one years later that would start at home but when shown the sea refused. Wouldn't buy one now.
 
Possibly the well known Seagull complaint known as "hydrophobia"? (Wrong shaft length leading to over-immersion and excess back pressure, so won't start on the boat - see John Williams' website)
 
I have a long shaft 40+. I haven't used it much and when I use it on my tender it hasn't refused to start, but I wonder if tilting it to reduce the amount of exhaust under the water would over-come that pressure problem if it occurred. Once running there shouldn't be a problem.

With regard to the original question. If you're thinking of getting an air-cooled 2 stroke without gears there wouldn't seem to be any point.
 
In a misguided attempt at flushing out the salt water with a hose applied to the exhast I overdid it. I knew I had overdone it when water shot out the air inlet.
Removed spark plug, wiped it on sleeve, replaced it. Started 4th pull.
Hydrophobia, phooey.
 
Mucking around with an avon & featherweight in Tarbert once (before the marina, when you moored alongside the fishing fleet - and woke up at 4 in the am to shift about ..) I dropped said dinghy in stern first dousing the motor. Bit of wiping down & puffing here & there & hey presto, off she went.
Interestingly this particular motor had the bronze flywheel, ex. forces I think & now highly sought after.

If you were brought up on meccano, clockwork, balsa wood & cellulose dope then you can't fail to appreciate the subtle sophistication of the Seagull ...
 
Quote:-If you were brought up on meccano, clockwork, balsa wood & cellulose dope then you can't fail to appreciate the subtle sophistication of the Seagull ...
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I like and endorse your reply 110%.
 
If a Seagull don't start third pull, there's summat up. Not many options - fuel, spark - all fixable with basic tools & on the water if necessary. Try that with yer modern electronic, computerised 4-stroke when it has a problem
 
My Dad's 1st boat was a 16' GRP Hornsea Pebble (Hard chine coble) with a Seagull Silver century. Used for years off Bridlington for fishing out of sight of land with no bother. Eventually Dad was able to buy a shiney new Johnson, (Fashion rather than necessity) The Seagull was strapped to the sole boards as back up and as the boat was launched/ recovered through surf was immersed on many occasions, after a year or two of total neglect we had the engine out, changed the fuel and after 2 or 3 pulls it started. Amazing. Anyone got "PETREL" out there now. Bet that bloody Seagull still plugging away. MIke
 
Hi

I'm restoring an engineless 22ft Gaffer of unknown design, ( but hull shape similar to a Deben 4 tonner). I just cannot see a modern outboard bolted on to the stern. Can I get a Seagull with enough power to be of use?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Quote:-If you were brought up on meccano, clockwork, balsa wood & cellulose dope then you can't fail to appreciate the subtle sophistication of the Seagull ...
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I like and endorse your reply 110%.

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/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Nice to find another member of the seagull appreciation society - I have 2 little uns, one with a clutch, both nearly 50, & running just fine .... Now, what else have we got in the cupboard, oh yes, a nice pair of tufnol winches and a nifty set of galvanised racing dinghy bottle screws ! Roll on Spring.
 
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