Seagull Outboard

[peter.soper]

Hi,

As you may have seen from a couple of my other posts, I am in the process of getting set up for some Wayfarer cruising.

When I bought my Wayfarer, a Mk1 GRP, I inherited a Seagull Forty Plus outboard. I have spent the last few weeks trying to get it going. Everybody I have spoken to who knows Seagulls says “they run forever”- well apparently this one doesn’t!

I have spoken to a Seagull specialist, and established that for the likely cost of having it professionally repaired and serviced, it really isn’t worth saving. However, the same mechanic has a renovated Forty Plus that I could buy for a reasonable price.

I am now faced with a choice – splash out on something a bit more modern, or stick with a Seagull. I kind of like the idea of running the Wayfarer with the original motor that she started with bac in the 70s, but would I be better off with something more modern? Second hand (ebay) outboards look quite reasonable, so cost wise there is not much in it.

I will be sailing in the Bristol Channel, and with children, so definitely need to be able to rely on a good motor.

Any recommendations either way?

Thanks,

Pete

[Dave Barker]

Hi Pete,

Did you speak to John Williams at SOS? If you’re sure you want to run a Seagull then he will (has) be(een) able to advise you. John will quote a realistic, fair price for the work involved and he’ll take pride in doing a good job.

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/

P.S. Having looked at John’s site it seems more than likely that you’ve spoken to him – I see a nice low hours Forty Plus for sale. I’ll leave this reply for anyone else who might be interested in Seagulls or perhaps Eventides – another of John’s passions.

http://www.eventides.org.uk/

[popeye]

If you want reliabilty then I belive you have to stick you neck out and go for a modern 3.5hp 4stroke such as the Tohatsu or Mariner, same product.
Fairweather Marine at Fareham will do one for £410 not a lot of money when you have the safety of your family to consider 🙄 . Seagulls were good in their day but belive me they don’t go on for ever, things move on.

[krgough]

The biggest problem with small outboards is that the water cooling channels in the head block up with sand and salt. At least my old suzuki 2-stroke seems to suffer from this a fair bit. Even when you run them in a bucket of fresh water they tend to block up every few years which means taking the head off – cleaning the channels and replacing the gaskets. I spoke to a mechanic in Southampton and he said it’s a very common problem and the only way to avoid it is to use the motor regularly – which I don’t do because I like sailing 😀

I saw a 4-stroke – air cooled Honda 2hp at the boat show this year. If I was buying a new one that’s what I’d go for.

regards

Keith

[Anonymous]

Good choice the Honda – I am very pleased with mine (and they are 2.3 hp now)

[Author]

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