Saving Old Seagulls

Hi guys

Has anyone got an inflatable they use with their Seagull? I've just bought an inflatable and wondered how much I could expect it to drop in the water, there is a serious concern for my question. I got it out today on the patio and put my FPC on it, my concern is the exhaust looks as if it was level (slightly above) the bottom of the boat. I know with my old dinghy it dropped in the water (even though I'm not a wee fat Scotsman), but I wondered if I could expect an inflatable to do likewise. I'm concerned about the shaft size now, can someone put my mind at ease.
I would hate to even consider the thought of this not working out, my engine is top dollar, it purrs like a real Seagull (more noise than a jumbo) but it starts on 1 pull.
Speaking of which, here's a couple of pics, can anyone tell me if this is the usual fuel tap for a plastic tank, I think not? When I got the engine I had to replace the banjo as the previous owner had sawn through it trying to take off the original fuel pipe (I think).
Any comments would be great, I say any, that is without smart arse ones from you know who. RBT you wisdom is always appreciated.

My wetline I use all the time on the mooring has a solid transom, the bottom of which is the lowest point of the bottom, and I doubt it sits down more than a couple of inches. But they do dig in when underway and depending on where you sit - and a roundtail would do so even more - as it does not have the tubes aft of the transom.
Try it - but I would be careful of too powerful an engine on a roundtail.
You could lower it with a bit of a bodge cutout in the bracket ? I don't use a seagull for the tender ( hide head in shame) but I do have one on the boat as an auxilary.

It should be ok if its a standard short shaft. Yours looks short though - is it a forty featherlight - 14 ½"rather than 16 ½" ?

You might find it is digging in too much - as I say, watch it in any very high wnds and chop ( which you can get on rivers/estuaries ). I've stayed on the boat a few times on the mooring when its been blowing 60 kts with a sizeable chop rather than risk the half mile up the river on my own. If the front goes up far enough it becomes a sail ! One reason roundtails usually 'don't' have brackets as an option - or if so, have a very low recommended HP. Most new ones now don't have any brackets available.

Have fun - my first trip up the river in an inflatable was pretty memorable. Take some oars and a mobile phone !

Geoff - Bristol

Thanks Geoff

Shortning the transom was in my thoughts if needed. It's an FPC (forty plus with clutch) but I thought it was a standard shaft, maybe it is a short. Where do I measure it from?
It's recommended not to use anymore than 2.5hp

Thanks

The engine looks a nice unit. If the tap works, don't worry.

Before chopping anything, try the boat in the water. Although the water pump plate could be near the transom bottom ideally, the water flow from your hull design may suit where it is now.

You already have the transom clamp fixed at the hole nearest the stern to determine the best best rise angle for the bow. Just try it with caution - you can lengthen the tiller handle with a piece of alkethene water pipe which is identical to the authentic Seagull extension and bring your weight forward if neccessary.

Jesus RBT have you been on dope, what no negative thoughts, ha ha. Thanks for your comments, indeed it is a nice wee engine, as I say one pull and she goes, so hopefully it will be ok.
I realise there won't be too many knots being done or the bow might flip but that won't hurt, as long as I can sit and enjoy the pleasure of my Seagull moving along the water, I'll be happy.
I have a tiller extension so that's no problem. I'll do as you suggest and give it a try on the water to see where the exhaust sits in relation to the water, and as you say, it will be done with caution.

Gerard

nice motor gerard. you've done a good job mate. you should get nearly 6 hours of cruising with that tank full.....now thats cheap even for a canny scot like your good self eh?

Thanks Billyboy
Indeed a canny scot I am. Looking forward to trying things out this weekend.

As Anorak suggested for Chuky's racer - how about trim tabs?

Hydraulic installation might be a little ott for your roundtail, so after you've attached them to a pivot either side of your transom, they could be operated by a pulley and rope system . . .

RBT I'm not sure what your saying, could you explain it more easier for a layman?
Am I right in thinking the tabs are to create a force against that of the bow lifting?
Why should I make a rope pulley, couldn't I fix brackets to the transom with plates attached at right angles? Or should they be hinged and moveable?
Cheers

I've increased my knowledge on the use of trim tabs, however I note that these are usually hydraulic. Can any of you technical guys have a go at tellig me how to go about designing a pair of tabs to fit onto a transom for my inflatable? I now realise what you are suggesting RBT with a rope pulley, but how would I secure the tabs when they were down, surely they must be fixed solid to work?