Well, actually i already have a bargie AHC 102, a little bit younger than this one (slotted core plugs) and i rather like it as well as a later THC. Not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but does the job on my bigger boat at a much more relaxed pace which suits me just fine. No point in rushing about all over the place with one of these cos they're just not up to it. I agree with you on that point at least. Nothing wrong with going slow once in a while
Desirability is a personal thing, and this is one gull on my "desire list". I have a fair few of the others now of most ages, and this would look quite good amongst others in my flock.
As far as ornaments go, IF this were to come home with me, sooner or later it would find it's way onto a transom. You either like 102's for what they are, or you pass on by and try a century instead. Each to their own with seagulls.
Now as far as i can see in the pics, this bargie has what i think to be most of it's original "skeleton". Cylinder=good,crankcases=good,drive leg=good,gearbox and pumphousing=good,inlet cowl=WRONG, the carb might end up being wrong too but not the end of the world, fuel pipe=WRONG. props ..... never really been too happy with how the 3 bladed sits on the gearbox. The hub of the prop looks too small to me. A 4 bladed fits in all the right places without looking out of place. I remain open minded on this however.
Long range fuel tanks are a difficult one to answer at the moment, but i see nothing wrong with it for now apart from being a bit bashed on the ends and the wrong colour!.The tiller has something to be desired however, no biggie really. Can't see a tank cap for a look see. Might be right, could be wrong too. (i'd be very happy if it had a bayonet cap on this)
The bracket looks to be a mix and match in some of the parts, not all bad however. Missing its thrust block though.
The entire ignition system has been swapped out at some point,not too big a problem provided it all comes apart with no fuss. The tilt stay bracket is off something a bit newer (2 shark teeth not 1?) AND it's got those dreaded dots in the serial number
. We might get to the bottom of this one day. All in all it fits very nicely indeed with other A series 102's that are pre-1950 (pre-sub ejector housing)
So as far as originality goes, i've seen much MUCH better, but certainly not the end of the world for this one.
The parts required to bring it back to normal (whatever that might be) could be tricky though.
Just my observations you understand
Jon
