Saving Old Seagulls

Yes, thanks for that, I never gave pitch a thought! If you want to be scientific about it, a small laser-based tachometer can be had off of Ebay for not a terrible amount of money (considering what we put into boating). I think I paid US$20 for one. Using that, one could take any engine and run it ...

I did some repairs for a friend on his 11' dinghy with 4hp Mariner with small three blade prop. This too seemed to go well but struggled a little against the tide, motor was still reving ok though. The Mariner seemed to struggle against the tide but still had plenty of power so is this lack of thru...

Hi there, Sarah. Welcome to Seagull ownership. If you're not that familiar with outboards, these engines are a great tutorial. So simple in their operation and all, and plenty of great intel to be found on this web site. :D When you get a chance, please show us the boat you're working with. It's alw...

I'm going to offer the opinion that this plug is probably fine, if in the current state it's been run for a while.... as in, a full tank of fuel or two under a load. Judging from the colour of the centre insulator and the lack of carbon build-up, it looks as if it came from an engine in good running...

Not withstanding that I don't sail with my Seagulls much any more, I found with the un-clutched 40+ on a 17' day sailor the thrust wasn't enough to be worried about, as long as it was tied bow and stern. I'd start the engine and run as a fast idle for half a minute and then take it down to a tick ov...

So a thin bit of rope under the crank Case and onto the back of the boat!!!???? Pretty much. A piece of spare line that isn't rotted out & which is as thick as your starting rope will do nicely. It really doesn't matter what, just something handy. I use 1/4" double braid halyard line becau...

A couple of weeks ago my son ( 42) and I went on a fishing trip to a private hot spot a few miles away. On starting the magnificent 100 for the return trip the blasted thing fell off the back. The son who knew of my love of this particular motor immediately leapt overboard and plunged deep underwat...

Might I recommend automotive engine enamel? Either gloss black over etching primer, or, flat black followed by clear at the end.

Engine paint takes high heat, not necessarily a big deal, but in my experience so far, it also tends to be fuel proof.

I'd join up and ask how the Oil Gods feel about all-synthetic oils such as West Marine's Pure Oceans (based on rapeseed oil) but that would require work, attempting to discuss the relative merits of a seldom-operated, oil-burning dinghy auxiliary engine with purebred stinkpot owners. There are some ...

For what it's worth... First, if we're talking about the Honda BF-2A with the optional centrifugal clutch, it's noisy as a jet engine. Not that Seagulls are "quiet" by any possible stretch; it's the pitch at full speed that really drills in to the ears. That said, it's not a bad little eng...

Hey, thanks! I needed that. Temps here have been around 5 to 10c, not terrible so far.

As I continue to plagiarize that work, i'll add that change. Enjoy your summer!


- Ted

Thanks so much, though I can't take credit for that. It's chiefly one of those email letters that circulates about, this time of year. A very happy - and safe - Christmas to all!

I'd like to wish all the very best of the Christmas season as well, and offer the following for your collective amusement: From us (“the wishors”) to you (“hereinafter called the wishee”): Please accept without obligation, explicit or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socia...

That's a great find, there. Nothing wrong at all with a great deal when it comes along. Do let us know how this engine works out after a looking-over and the boat as well. That ought to be a nice matched pair to play with.

Not necessarily, Jesse. Others will correct me if this is not the norm though my two critters pour out lukewarm water regardless of throttle. Well it is a little warmer on the one at low speed, when not so much coolant is being pumped in the first place. I would say that you should be able to put yo...