Bargepushers

[Arbian]

When was the last of the 102 bargepushers made and did they have a specific lettering code?

[Oyster 49]

According to the list of serial numbers on the main SOS site, the last 102 plus engines were WHC prefix and were produced up to 1973.

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

[Arbian]

Thanks, Do you know what the H stood for .... high thrust?

[headdownarseup]

Well, depending on which website you're using from what i've seen and heard for the most part 1973 would have been the official end of the 102 production.
Now,if we're going by what is already known about these things then it would appear that a 102 with a gold wipac points ignition with a W
prefix in its serial number (WD,WC,WHC) would be the last of the "official" 102 line up.HOWEVER, seagulls being what they are never seem to follow the rules. Over the last 5-10 years motors have come to light that according to their serial numbers were produced much later than 1973. Some even as late as the mid 1980's with all the usual fittings associated with motors of that time e.g. cdi ignition, recoil starting,modern carbs,square steel fuel tanks,modern transom mounts etc. but at a quick glance instantly recognizable as a 102.

If i were a betting man i would think there might be the odd 1 or 2 out there in seagull land that slipped through the net.
Some of us will have seen pictures of our Australian brethren with such a motor. A very late model 102 (well past the official 1973 production end) made at some point in the 1980's. It might just be possible that in VERY SMALL BATCHES (and probably made to order by then) there were a few of these 102's in all their flavours made and sold. So maybe, just maybe there might be an EHC bargepusher out there that we don't yet know about. (i'm hopeful there will be one out there somewhere)
I know about the other 2 types already (EC,ED) but for a "bargie" i'm still searching.

As for what the letter H means in the serial number, take a guess? Nobody really knows.
It could be "High thrust", or "High output" but certainly not HUGE HORSEPOWER.


If by some strange twist of fate somebody manages to acquire such a late model 102, would they be kind enough to contact me via the forum for an informal chat.
I'd love to hear if any more of these very late models still exist.

Jon

[Youcanhave1]

I was just talking to a guy at an engineering store yesterday, and he had recently sold a barge pusher for $350.00nz. I'm trying to get him to contact the new owner to get the serial number off it.

[Oyster 49]

Always good to check these things, just in case we have an oddball

So back to your question, the last documented 102 plus was WHC range in 1973. We do know about a batch of engines made somewhat later, but no plus models found from that batch as yet.

[headdownarseup]

....... but i'm still searching for that "oddball" 102.

I'm reasonably confident there will be one somewhere. It just hasn't been found yet! It makes sense with the handful of late 102's we know about already. I can't imagine there's gonna be a lot of them, but 1 or 2 more would be nice to bring the 102 final chapter to a close.

It's sometimes interesting that many years after the official close of British Seagull as we know it, that something unusual turns up out of the blue.
Garages and sheds get emptied all the time. Someone will know somebody else that knows about outboard motors and eventually make contact on the forum. It's just a matter of waiting and watching for now.

Jon

[Charles uk]

If you look back in the forum Jon, I'm sure you'll find mention of 102+'s far later than the WHC, I can remember a picture of a black & gold one that will have come from the early to mid 90's!

[headdownarseup]

And if you re-read what i've actually talked about in my reply Chas. it'll make sense?

I'm well aware of much later 102's than the official 1973 cut-off time. Hugz and Bruce have 1 each (see my reply in the previous posts) and i'm fairly confident there will be a few others lurking out there somewhere, and probably not that many either. They just havn't been found yet, or their owners are staying very quiet...

Jon

[seagull101]

Hi all,
In the collection I've just bought there is a 102 labeled as a hybrid in the description. It has electronic ignition, recoil starter and standard brass tank.
Any idea of the age anyone?
Unfortunately I don't have the serial number and wont until I collect it in a few weeks.

thanks, Jacob

[Oyster 49]

You will need to share some photos and details of the engine, serial number etc. It's highly possible that an earlier engine can have later parts such as newer ignitions and recoils starters for example. Once you have the engine it will be interesting to see what you have.

[Hugz]

One of those was on ebay downunder a few years ago. An ED with brass tank. An oddity to be sure.

[Charles uk]

As part of our researches the other Charles & I interviewed all the Seagull ex staff members we could find, several mentioned late model 102s that were produced in batches of 50 & sold at the factory gate, it's quite possible that if an Australian dealer wanted a few 102s, that Seagull would have built him some, right up till the 90s. All the parts for these 102s were on the shelves in the spare parts stores.

I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, here on the forum, have a look back.

[Hugz]

If I recall correctly Bruce's and mine have close engine numbers. Seem to be more of them downunder then elsewhere.

[Oyster 49]

A good way to shift slow moving spares stock of the shelf and turn into cash too!