Saving Old Seagulls

I can see it happening-again, like I was? am? with old Jeeps,motorcycles, sailboats and now motorboats and outboards.
I see, I feel sorry, I must have.......
I'm always looking in the back of fields, behind garages, under layers of dust in garages, back alleys for my next "project".
I buy, (usually for more than I should, but I MUST have "IT"), drag IT home, dive in deep to fix it, (not restore- that mean make brand new and park to look at, I use)
I get done, step back and look at it, then, sell....... usually for less than I have in it!
Story of my life!

This is how it all started........................
I bought my first Seagull, ('69 Century) to use as a trolling motor on my 19' almn. fishing boat.
Saw a pic of one on line and the seed was planted.
They are odd, (I LIKE odd!), simple, light weight, (did I mention I like odd)?, and it will push my boat.
Like most Sea Gulls, (which is another odd thing), this had been sitting a LONG LONG time, owner died, the family was selling it off.
A bit of work, clean the points, clean the carb, flush the tank, new lower unit oil, some paint and TA-DA!
This motor runs great (in the tank, dunno how in the St. Lawrence River) looks like low, low hours, (top of the piston is carbon free)...............
Fast forward a few months......... There I am cruising through E bay for parts or? (I dunno why I have bought some spares, but....), I saw "IT"!
It was close by, looked forlorn and in need of a "good" home!
A low bid got "IT", tonight I travel the 2 hours to get bring "IT" home.
Vin # says it a 1975 Century.
My common sense tells me WTF! are you outta your mind? I've got WAY more outboards than I will ever need.
But the part of me who likes to be abused by projects tells me, "You got it cheap, it can be for parts", ( even though I would never steal parts from a complete unit, why that's a sin! I'll buy the parts first )!
Is there a cure for "Sea Gull-ism?
Can I be cured?
Should I worry?
Will my house be filled with Sea Gulls in different state of dissemble, a cylinder on the table, a lower unit in the bed room?
Joe
So many "poor things" out there, so few $$

If you don't stop now, all is lost! Get out while you can. I know of people with 3000-5000 outboard motors. Next thing you know you will have to build a storage and display area. I think 20-30 are about max. you can have if you plan to run each one every year.

My only hope is that there isn't too many close to me here in Pa. Making the addiction run it's course.
Maybe I can open my own "Sea Gull Rehab Center"?
Most boaters @ here have to run what everyone else runs, "Boat Clones"!
Joe
Did it say on the Statue of Liberty, "Send me you tired Sea Gulls"?

Oh dear, I see this being me in a few months from now

The slippery slope has now been trodden!

Welcome to the strange ways of seagull ownership.

(if 2 is better, what does over 20 make? an addiction perhaps )

I should stop now while you still can

jon

Well, "IT" is home.
"IT" Spent the night in the back of the Subaru, (can't come inside til it's cleaned), now here at work in the "Expensive Care Ward" (warm shop).
I can live with the fact I have NO self control, (as long as my bank account can), when it comes to things like this...............
Like Popeye said, "I am what I am".................
Will I have a flock of Sea Gulls?
It will depend on what this one runs $$ wise to get running and looking good!
And....................
If there is another that calls my name!
I tell my forgiving wife that it could be worse, I COULD be spending my $$ at the bar (pub to you across the pond), drinking. At least she knows where I am, in the shop, "playing"! (It took YEARS to break her in)!!
Joe
So many things need to be saved! Think the government will give me federal $$ to bring these old motors back to life? You know, piece of history and all that?

www.aomci.org/forum

Free classified ads open to those interested in old outboards, plus the ask a member section where you can ask questions. If you are still looking for a forward/neutral gearbox etc. you may find one closer to you. If you are interested mine is still available for shipping cost PM me if interested.