British Seagull Outboard Motor

[wostenberg]

I just got a used 1968 model W, British Seagull outboard motor and I need carburetor parts in the USA, or do parts come from England with shipping costs as much as the part? It needs a float needle valve, float bowl, throttle cable, and perhaps a tank shut-off valve.
Thank you All in advance.

[SkiprJohn]

I love those old engines and my best advice is go to the official Seagull site in Britain and order your parts. Emails can sort out the cheapest way of shipping. I've ordered OM636 parts from Britain and postal rates are not that high.

Good luck with the engine if you can get her going it'll be very dependable, loud, and an oil slick producer.

[Cheechako]

What you really need is a Barbell to beef up your pulling arm.

[four winds]

There is a US west coast source. Lots of info on the site.

British Seagull Outboard Motors: Owners & Outboards
.
Check out thier resources page for links to other sites.

[wostenberg]

Barbell? This one starts very easy. Just one short pull and away you go.
I've contacted john@saving-old-seagulls.co.uk who will help me on the British end.
I will try the link in the USA.

Thank you
Chip
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing... about in boats — or with boats."

[barnakiel]

They are very cool engines. I have seen them a couple of times and I always stop to look at them. Unless you are into antics restoration business, check if parts from more recent engines may fit your new toy. Sometimes one can mix and match to get the beast purring again!

Lucky you.

b.

[SkiprJohn]

I've had three of them in the past because they were "the" outboard many years ago when I was first sailing. It's the only outboard that I ever had that started and ran after a submerging on a beach landing while it was still running. Amazing outboard.

I had a friend who retreived his from 40 feet of clear saltwater and had it running again in the afternoon.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

I've had three of them in the past because they were "the" outboard many years ago

Oh oh...leaving yourself wide open with that one!

[wostenberg]

John
Did you get parts and if so, from whom?
Thank you
Chip

[frozenhawaiian]

I have one, its a cool little thing, really more a collectors/museum piece than anything else. they don't like starting when hot and god help you if you're try to start it once it's gotten wet. mine gets used few times a year to put around the lake on the back of a vintage square stern canoe and that about it.

[tenchiki]

I thought the whole point of a British Seagull engine was that you could repair it with paperclips and bobby pins? Of course, thinking back to my old motor, perhaps my problem is that it only took British paperclips and British bobby pins?

[sestina]

The one thing they don't like is having the exhaust too deep in the water when starting - too much back pressure.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by wostenberg

John
Did you get parts and if so, from whom?
Thank you
Chip

For sale: Head gasket and prop spring.

As you may know I'm too old to remember much. I do remember a source in CA but that was from 40 plus years ago so I'm certain everything is changed. I have a Copper or Bronze headgasket with the numbers 100/221 embossed in it and a prop spring that prevents the shaft from breaking if you hit a solid object with the prop. These parts are available for purchase for very cheap.

I occasionally remember many great stories about the Seagulls. I hope you get yours running well.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Oh oh...leaving yourself wide open with that one!

Now what could that possibly mean?

Your old Faioahe (Ingrid 38) is for sale for $10K. Needs bottom patching and is hauled out. New sails used once. The same great engine you installed and pretty new rigging. Someone with some good glassing skills could have her in the water and sailing in short order. Great cruising boat for the right person.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by frozenhawaiian

I have one, its a cool little thing, really more a collectors/museum piece than anything else. they don't like starting when hot and god help you if you're try to start it once it's gotten wet. mine gets used few times a year to put around the lake on the back of a vintage square stern canoe and that about it.

Mine loved to be wet as long as the carb wasn't submerged.