Saving Old Seagulls

I was wondering just how many Seagull models were made with a reverse gear and when they were made. I used my reverse several times last weekend and I don't really know how fortunate I am to have that ability with a Seagull.
I was very pleased with the performance of my engine. It pushed the boat around nicely. I did have a small problem with my gas tank again however, it began to leak after running it for several hours. I'm thinking I may need to repair it with epoxy from the inside instead of solder.

Keith

Hello Keith.

Your question got me wondering so I did some reading. John Williams, our host of his site, on the page Marstons http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/pure_nostalgia.htm cites several early engines with a reverse gear.

British Seagull Parts.Com http://www.britishseagullparts.com/index.htm have done an excellent job of recording many details of British Seagull and lists the following engines having reverse gears:

(1979-91)

• Silver Century Plus, 80, 90, 110

(1980s - 1990’s)

• Osprey - Seagull 5
  Kingfisher - Seagull 6
  Model 170
  Seagull SD 160 Inboard Engine

Regarding your question of the tank. I seriously wonder if you would not be better off to contact a company that does tank lining and restoration as a business. Not far from where I live in Canada is a company (Leakers) that has done an auto tank for me. I’m not sure if its epoxy they use although I believe it is a kind of rubber based chemical. It certainly does stink at the time of application, but it works and is guaranteed. It’s also quite inexpensive. I’m sure there must be similar companies in the Atlanta area listed on the Net or the Yellow Pages.


Cheers Colin.

It's funny how information diseminates from John's pages all over the web, some of the errors that John had, also seem to be evident here.

I notice that no one else seems to say thank you for information that is obviously copyright, fortunately British Seagull & their authorised distributors don't seem to take offence, even without a public thank you.
I also notice that some of this information I hope that they used to carry, dangerous errors like all pre 1980 gear boxs were OK to run on 140 SAE lube. I wonder if a litigatious American owner of a Marston OK, with a Harper FNR gearbox would be grateful to read such wisdom on a web site carring a Seagull logo.

With regards to your tank repairs, as we are in the middle of the silly season for Ebay.co.uk I saw a brass tank with a good original sailorman transfer & 2 peanut sized dinks go for £7.50 last week.

I know your $ is worth very little in the rest of the world, but at these prices it might well pay to start shopping in the UK. There are several of John's style dealers that won't try to pull your arms & legs off for a fairly ordinary fuel tank.

Amazing how the myths get out there Colin, some should know better.

Neither the Silver Century nor the Model 80 were ever fitted with reverse gear.

Over the years this site has been going I have made a few mistakes, but thankfully I have been able to correct most of those I made, sadly there are some that have copied the mistakes from this and other sites and are now called factual.... By the way the dates are wrong too, the 90 was made till 1996, to order! Then it was called the Classic 5.

As for the gear oils, the table on the I. D. your Seagull has been painstakingly amended by me, (and I notice copied onto several other sites). There were a few motors that used 90 grade oil and K77 runny grease before 1980! The FPC for one! After 1980 there were still many prefering 140! If the seals go in your Kingfisher use 140 till you change the seals!

I'm pleased to say lots of well informed people have helped to make this site what it is, long may they continue to help. It has become the largest Seagull Owners group on the web!

Regards,
John
SOS

Hello John.

Oh my what can I say ; I stand corrected!

In my defense, I was not sure about the Model 80, as I’m not the least familiar with it, but did question, however briefly, the Silver Century, but mistakenly assumed that the authors knew far more than my own limited knowledge of Seagulls.

But just imagine how stupid I would have looked and the egg that would be on my face, had I started the reply with “As I recall from memory…â€

Colin you've only missed 2 with FNR boxes they are,

SD 110

5R

The fact that the 5R was half Yamaha, perhaps should disqualify it.

come on Charles, I cannot admit to that being a real Seagull!

Never ever had a spare part for one either.... nor been asked for one does that mean they don't go wrong??

He He

john
SOS

With regards to your tank repairs, as we are in the middle of the silly season for Ebay.co.uk I saw a brass tank with a good original sailorman transfer & 2 peanut sized dinks go for £7.50 last week.

I know your $ is worth very little in the rest of the world, but at these prices it might well pay to start shopping in the UK. There are several of John's style dealers that won't try to pull your arms & legs off for a fairly ordinary fuel tank.

I emailed that particular seller regarding shipping to the USA. He would have charged £20 which is about $40, a bit steep for me.

Bob

Somewhere deep in my memory I recall a special mounting bracket (probably 3rd party) that allowed Seagulls to rotate through 360 degrees - allowing reversing.

Is my memory playing tricks or does anyone know anything about them?

Thanks,


Simon

Your memory isn't playing tricks - you're thinking of the Rotagull bracket.

Here's a link to the SOS main site, where there are instructions for this clever little acdcessory, there's a photo too if you can find it.

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

As with most accessories that were not of their invention, Seagull didn't like this. Models were available for the Forty series and the Centuries too I'm told.

The Rotagull wsn't the only 'bolt-on reverse', there were others, rather more crude. One from the late sixties was known as the 'Pivot Plus'

Well it looks as if I am very fortunate to have picked up a Seagull with reverse. I'm hoping for another sail or 2 before packing the boat up for the winter. Maybe a new years eve cruise if the weather is not too cold. I might have to start looking for a heater.
Thanks for your response to my question

Keith

Of course, reverse gear is rendered superfluous by astute boat handling, as you know..