Saving Old Seagulls

Just thought I would start up my old SJ early 40 plus today and run it in a tank to get the cobwebs off. It stopped running last year, so I thought I would give it another go. Stripped the carb, cleaned it, and re-fuelled. Its cold out there today - but second pull, off she went - sounding superb. So nearly 50 years old and in good shape.

Then I have a more modern engine - a 2008 2.5HP Suzuki four stroke. So tried to start that - just wouldn't go! Then eventually after much effort and cursing, it did start, but seemed rough, and unhappy with the cold. Eventually got a little smoother and better - after about half an hour in the tank.

So less than 1 year old from Thailand - 0r nearly 50 from Poole. I know which one I would rather trust today if I was out on the water!

Old the 40 may be but i think i would rather listen to the sound of an Seagull chugging away, more than a Yachtimotouki buzzing away behind me. The benifit of in warm days on the water the mozzies dont like the purfume of 10;1mix cant understand why, i find it quit intoxicating but thats another story. You are a brave man Mark testing in this weather, ditch the jap machine it may look good but you have proven that when it matters seagulls can be relied upon.

woodbutchergraham wrote:Old the 40 may be but i think i would rather listen to the sound of an Seagull chugging away, more than a Yachtimotouki buzzing away behind me. The benifit of in warm days on the water the mozzies dont like the purfume of 10;1mix cant understand why, i find it quit intoxicating but thats another story. You are a brave man Mark testing in this weather, ditch the jap machine it may look good but you have proven that when it matters seagulls can be relied upon.

Absolutely - what could be more simple than the villiers carb - but long lasting and robust!

I use a Forty Feartherweight on my dinghy. Had it since the early eighties. Also got a 40+ that I used before that.
The person I used to crew for had a Featherweight until he replaced it with a small Yamaha. Lighter, so much quieter that we could talk to each other rather than shout, easier to handle, cleaner to handle!
Why I don't ditch my Seagull I dont know.

Vic, you romantic old softy you....

You want to get one of those Yachtimotoukis...dunno who sells them though