seagull outboards?

columbiachop · 24 January 2006, 21:55

i've been looking for a spare motor to put in the console of my C5 SIB. i noticed a few seagull motors for a couple hundred bucks a piece. i think they're from your side of the ocean

are they as reliable in general as the seller states?

thanks
andy

codprawn · 24 January 2006, 22:08

Well they have been around long enough!!! Quite a collectors item over here - but mainly by people with beards who drink Real Ale!!!

Having said that I have seen loads of them dragged out of garages etc after years of neglect and work first time.

Also they do tend to have a high thrust for their size - mate had a modern 4hp or something as an aux and he couldn't move against a tide - tried his father's old seagull and it was much better.

SultanOfSoltron · 24 January 2006, 22:19

If you do go for a seagull, this page http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/ might be very usefull....

Phil Davies · 24 January 2006, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbiachop

are they as reliable in general as the seller states?

Ah, the good old British Seagull! Universally acclaimed and hailed by their followers (invariably owners of Series 1 Land Rovers on their third re-build) as the most reliable and low maintenance outboards ever built. And, like Series 1 Land Rovers, it is possible to find one or two which are good runners. The reality, however, is that the majority of them, like Series 1 Land Rovers, are absolute dogs. They run on a 25:1 2-stroke mix (

), belch out more foul smelling smoke and noise than a Russian tractor, and gum their carburettors up with monotonous regularity. Having said that, they can be rebuilt with ease and the parts, astonishingly, are readily available from a number of dedicated specialists in the UK, who have misguidedly devoted much of their lives to ensuring that these relics of British maritime tradition remain in circulation.

I've seen several Seagulls in action, or rather inaction, on the transoms of small dinghys piloted by the older members of our wildfowling club, and frankly the situations they get themselves into on tidal estuaries due to the engines breaking down have convinced me that I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

Nos4r2 · 25 January 2006, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Davies

They run on a 25:1 2-stroke mix

10:1 actually-the 25:1 engines have a carb modification.

columbiachop · 25 January 2006, 03:41

well since i drive an fj60 landcruiser and not a rover, i better pass on the seagull

actually i want the most dependable light outboard that can push my C5 (600lbs total) to the shore. i'm thinking a four stroke honda 3-4hp. used i hope. they seem to be very reasonable and stowable.

not looking for cool, just to get to shore in a pinch.

thanks a bunch

andy

Mark Halliday · 25 January 2006, 07:42

The trick with a Seagul is to drop it in the water once or twice a year.

Once you have the knack of keeping them going, they can be quite reliable. Mind you, at nearly 50, I am not old enough to have learned the knack yet.
And, yes, I have owned a Series 1, 2a, Hybrid, 90, Range Rover Classic and Discovery. Will I never learn?

Andy Moore · 25 January 2006, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbiachop

i've been looking for a spare motor to put in the console of my C5 SIB. i noticed a few seagull motors for a couple hundred bucks a piece. i think they're from your side of the ocean

are they as reliable in general as the seller states?

thanks
andy

I fear a RIB with a Seagull on it will make you a laughing stock. In my experience they only work if used every day. As a spare, well, don't bother.

Scary Des · 25 January 2006, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbiachop

...... i'm thinking a four stroke honda 3-4hp. used i hope. they seem to be very reasonable and stowable....andy

I have a Honda 2.3 which is great, NO impellor, has a clutch, twist throttle, kill cord and four stroke

but if you are going to store it in the console you will need to lay it flat or it will leak loads of oil

if you lay it flat it will only leak a little oil

Des

Rogue Wave · 25 January 2006, 09:58

I won't have a word said against seagulls....it's the finest anchor I've ever had

Mark Halliday · 25 January 2006, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I won't have a word said against seagulls....it's the finest anchor I've ever had

I bet it will start when you pull it back up.

Poly · 25 January 2006, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

I have a Honda 2.3 which is great, NO impellor, has a clutch, twist throttle, kill cord and four stroke

but if you are going to store it in the console you will need to lay it flat or it will leak loads of oil

if you lay it flat it will only leak a little oil

Des

I also have one of these (not yet worked out how best to fit to my tiny transom). Appart from the problems of laying it down (the right way so the cylinder doesn't end up full of oil) I think it is a pretty good engine - but it is quite big - a 2 stroke Mariner etc, seem more compact.

Neil