Alaska Bound...

[Colin]

Northern Star, my 20 ft., No Man’s Land Boat (Chapelle’s American Small Sailing Craft), is currently undergoing a complete refit before leaving Vancouver, in June, for the 500 mile plus, voyage to the Queen Charlotte Islands and if time and weather permits, Alaska.

Part of the refit is to design a decent outboard bracket; possibly side mounted and always a problem on a double ender. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

I recently joined the UK based, Old Gaffers Association, in fact I’m its only Canadian member, - and have the privilege, with the approval of the UK parent group, to form a Canadian Pacific area division. The trip is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and I’ll be attending numerous wooden boat festivals along the BC coast and spreading the word about the Old Gaffers, with religious fervour, to anyone willing to listen. The three month trip will finalize with Northern Star’s entry in the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival in Washington, in early September.

This trip may not seem related to British Seagull engines, and yet it is. Much of the voyage requires auxiliary engine; I cannot think of any engine when navigating areas within complete wilderness, to be more reliable than a restored (keeping the faith) 1973 British Seagull WSPCL.

[charlesp]

Have a look at the original Seagull side mount:

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

There's one in use a few miles from here4 1on a classic wooden boat - I'll try to get over there to take a few photos.

Side mounts were used on double ended boats with considerable success, one sold on ebay here recently

[Colin]

Thanks Charles; that's the simplest design and best looking side mount bracket I've seen to date. I doubt anyone has one for sale, but it should not be too difficult to fabricate one and get it welded up.

If you do get time to take a photo of the pone in use it will be appreciated.

Cheers.