Saving Old Seagulls

OK, good Seagull enthusiasts, here it is: I've come across a 1970 Century Plus, Clutch, Longshaft for a song. That is, if it runs and if there are no outstanding other repair issues (Bearings out of tolerance, clogged cooling jacket, crack in block, bad coil, etc) then I should be able to double the price almost instantly. If I actually spend time shining it up a bit, it might bring more though there's a point of diminishing returns in there someplace.

The item came with a shipping crate that the seller assumes is original; I agree from the faded labeling that this box, at least, left the U.K. in 1970 and ended up in Baltimore the same year. It's more of a "barn find" that the seller ran on a river at least once, 6 years ago, and then put back into the box.

The question is this - Considering that the engine isn't even close to being a showpiece and will not become one, by my hands at least, does the original crate add value upon resale? Typically, I mean. Of course market forces will decide, yadda yadda, ad nauseum.

How about if it was you looking at it, and assume you're in the market for a WPCL and that we live close enough for a day's round-trip drive to do some trade.

Here are some pics.. The one with the power head is a bit fuzzy -







There is always the option to part it out, or of keeping this and sell off the 40+ and still earn a profit (and it'll have to run DAMN well for me to give up my 40+). I dwell on this matter chiefly because my current surgical recovery prevents me from laying a hand on the engine to evaluate it. Thank you for your observations.



-Ted

Is the packing case in much better condition than the motor?
I wouldn't pay more than $75 for it, it has considerable salt water damage and obviously hasn't been well looked after. The lower unit does not get that kind of deep corrosion pitting without hanging in the salt water for extented periods of time, the drive tube shows similar signs, I think $75 is the high end of value.
It really pays off to get fresh water motors or ones that show the owner obviously cared well for it if it was used in the salt. I would be very surprised if you didn't break a lot of bolts and screws disassembling it.
I would the expect the cylinder will be short lived, you can expect it to look much worse inside than exterior of the motor looks.
If I could get it cheap enough I might but it for a parts motor, you would presumably get a decent ignition at least.

phil wrote:Is the packing case in much better condition than the motor?
I wouldn't pay more than $75 for it.

There's little doubt at this time as to why they caution us not to make important legal decisions while under pain meds. This was an impulse purchase off of craigslist and I've got $130 into it. The more I think on it, I should have looked at the ad and said to myself, "too bad I can't get over and take a look at it", and forget about it.

The crate's possibly in better condition but irregardless, my bet is that having a genuine crate isn't going to make a difference. Another friend wants me to save it for him.... fine.




I bought it sight unseen except for some pics that didn't concentrate on the gear box, as a potential engine for somewhat regular kicker use (I was on drugs). If it runs well despite it's looks, fine. Otherwise, it's getting parted out so that we might break even. I've been set back on course. Thanks.


- ted

Hey, it happens to all of us I'm sure. My sense of it is. the packing case is likely worth more than the motor.

A similar motor sold down here in an identical crate, so yes it is genuine for the period. I don't think the price is unreasonable for a clutched and boxed seagull. Wait until you find a similar gull in good nick to match the box. Or if selling with box wait until you can give it a test run.