What a stupid idea! Bought a dinghy with outboard. Few Q's.
Discussion
Hi.
I currently live in Southern Spain and whilst browsing a local classifieds the other day I seen a dinghy (3 metre-ish) with a Seagull outboard, 4HP.
Stupidly I drove the hour away and bought it, when returning home I quickly realised I had no idea what I was doing lol.
I took the motor to a local mechanic a couple of days a go and he gave the engine a basic service,check and said everything was fine.
My question is the 2 stroke ratio.
Looking on-line it states anywhere from 30 - 50 ratio but the manuals say 20:1.
I guess the engine is pretty old so not sure how if this makes a difference.
The mechanic (Spoke very little english) gave me some Motul 2T, 125ml bottle.
I have a 5L petrol can so if we look at 40:1 I would be putting the full 125ml in, does this sound about right?
Also how long can I expect it to run on 5L of petrol?
Thanks and I apologise for these basic questions. Definitely was not one of my best ideas and will more than likely be for sale in a couple of month!
I currently live in Southern Spain and whilst browsing a local classifieds the other day I seen a dinghy (3 metre-ish) with a Seagull outboard, 4HP.
Stupidly I drove the hour away and bought it, when returning home I quickly realised I had no idea what I was doing lol.
I took the motor to a local mechanic a couple of days a go and he gave the engine a basic service,check and said everything was fine.
My question is the 2 stroke ratio.
Looking on-line it states anywhere from 30 - 50 ratio but the manuals say 20:1.
I guess the engine is pretty old so not sure how if this makes a difference.
The mechanic (Spoke very little english) gave me some Motul 2T, 125ml bottle.
I have a 5L petrol can so if we look at 40:1 I would be putting the full 125ml in, does this sound about right?
Also how long can I expect it to run on 5L of petrol?
Thanks and I apologise for these basic questions. Definitely was not one of my best ideas and will more than likely be for sale in a couple of month!
JCKST1 said:
20:1 it is then.
Do you know how long I should get out of 5L of fuel? I will fill the tank and then take some more in the jerry can. I have visions of my self running out!
Hopefully get out on it this afternoon. Should be an event.
No idea mate but I suspect something like 2hrs running maybe? Take a wooden dip stick with you, fill it full and then dip the tank after say 30 mins of normal running - that way you'll get an idea of how much it's using. Always a good idea to take spare fuel with you, and oars... seriously, take oars. Do you know how long I should get out of 5L of fuel? I will fill the tank and then take some more in the jerry can. I have visions of my self running out!
Hopefully get out on it this afternoon. Should be an event.
Most of my childhood was spent rowing a bloody Seagull around the harbour. 
Look at getting a newer 2stroke single from one of the bigger makes. I have a 10 year old Tohatsu that hasn't been serviced in 5 years, it starts first pull every time. I work in a marine engine workshop, still wouldn't ever sell it for a new one.
Look at getting a newer 2stroke single from one of the bigger makes. I have a 10 year old Tohatsu that hasn't been serviced in 5 years, it starts first pull every time. I work in a marine engine workshop, still wouldn't ever sell it for a new one.
I have some oars, sounds like I will need them!
It came with quite a few spares, manuals and I got some extras such as the oars.
Dinghy is a Avon redseal?
Bought the lot for 200Euros (£160ish). Seemed a bargain hence the stupid decision to buy it.
I will see how this goes and look at getting a better engine. i really want something bigger and faster but that requires a license in Spain (over 13 HP) plus I dont really have much room for a speedboat which is a shame. Possibly Jet-ski however!
I can see the other half loving this...
It came with quite a few spares, manuals and I got some extras such as the oars.
Dinghy is a Avon redseal?
Bought the lot for 200Euros (£160ish). Seemed a bargain hence the stupid decision to buy it.
I will see how this goes and look at getting a better engine. i really want something bigger and faster but that requires a license in Spain (over 13 HP) plus I dont really have much room for a speedboat which is a shame. Possibly Jet-ski however!
I can see the other half loving this...
(British) Seagull's nest
We used to have one in the '60's so the design was 30 years old then! Looks as if it even predated the pre-war Standard-Triumph engine which I think survived up to BL days.
We used to have one in the '60's so the design was 30 years old then! Looks as if it even predated the pre-war Standard-Triumph engine which I think survived up to BL days.
I assume it does not have a recoil starter if it is that old? If not, take a spare length of cord with you to start it in case you lose it.
Ours always started much better with fresh fuel and a new spark plug, so worth doing if mechanic has not done it already.
Did the mechanic actually run it? He ought to have, but if not, try to find an old oil drum or similar container and build a temporary support so you can see how well it starts and get used to it - you don't want to find this out while floating off out to sea.
Also make sure you understand properly the operation of clutch, fuel tap (should be below tank), and choke - certainly on older Seagulls, these look different to what you will find on a "modern" outboard.
On a more modern outboards, if likely to wallop the prop in shallows, important to take a set of pliers and spare "shear" pin with you. (the pin breaks if you hit something, effectively removes drive, and so allows the prop to spin freely and thus not get damaged any further) I can't recall if a Seagull has a shear pin though. Hopefully someone else will know.
Be careful how you store it, as likely to drip fuel to a degree when laid flat.
Ours always seemed to work much better when we didn't do any maintenance to them - heavy and crude, but I liked being able to leave it on the back of the tender tied up at a pier without worrying anyone would steal it!
Oh, and get a lifejacket if you don't have one already.
Ours always started much better with fresh fuel and a new spark plug, so worth doing if mechanic has not done it already.
Did the mechanic actually run it? He ought to have, but if not, try to find an old oil drum or similar container and build a temporary support so you can see how well it starts and get used to it - you don't want to find this out while floating off out to sea.
Also make sure you understand properly the operation of clutch, fuel tap (should be below tank), and choke - certainly on older Seagulls, these look different to what you will find on a "modern" outboard.
On a more modern outboards, if likely to wallop the prop in shallows, important to take a set of pliers and spare "shear" pin with you. (the pin breaks if you hit something, effectively removes drive, and so allows the prop to spin freely and thus not get damaged any further) I can't recall if a Seagull has a shear pin though. Hopefully someone else will know.
Be careful how you store it, as likely to drip fuel to a degree when laid flat.
Ours always seemed to work much better when we didn't do any maintenance to them - heavy and crude, but I liked being able to leave it on the back of the tender tied up at a pier without worrying anyone would steal it!
Oh, and get a lifejacket if you don't have one already.
Bloody hell. Looks like I have dropped a b
k here.
I presumed you start it my raising the choke and just use the pull start? Then lowering the choke once running.
No re-coil on the pull start as you say so spare cord would be worth taking.
Got some work popper up this afternoon so will take her on her maiden voyage tomorrow. I cant say you have all filled me with confidence ha.
If anyone is in Spain and fancies a dinghy and all the gear send me a message lol.
k here.I presumed you start it my raising the choke and just use the pull start? Then lowering the choke once running.
No re-coil on the pull start as you say so spare cord would be worth taking.
Got some work popper up this afternoon so will take her on her maiden voyage tomorrow. I cant say you have all filled me with confidence ha.
If anyone is in Spain and fancies a dinghy and all the gear send me a message lol.
By the way it should have some little supports on one side of the fuel tank so that you can lay it down on that side - if you lay it down any other way, it'll pish fuel everywhere.
Older seagulls have a spring to take the load of a prop-strike rather than a shear pin - not sure of their effectiveness as I never grounded any of our old seagulls. So you won't need any spare shear pins.
I love them - a real man's engine, they need tickling and tweaking to get them to run but it's part of the fun. Genuinely more interesting to use than the white goods that people have on the back of boats now (although of course not nearly as practical, powerful, fuel efficient etc!). My Dad has a collection which includes something in the region of 10 seagulls and about 50 (yes) British Anzanis, so I've had quote a lot of exposure to them over the years. If you are looking to sell yours, drop me a line - he might be interested in another...
Older seagulls have a spring to take the load of a prop-strike rather than a shear pin - not sure of their effectiveness as I never grounded any of our old seagulls. So you won't need any spare shear pins.
I love them - a real man's engine, they need tickling and tweaking to get them to run but it's part of the fun. Genuinely more interesting to use than the white goods that people have on the back of boats now (although of course not nearly as practical, powerful, fuel efficient etc!). My Dad has a collection which includes something in the region of 10 seagulls and about 50 (yes) British Anzanis, so I've had quote a lot of exposure to them over the years. If you are looking to sell yours, drop me a line - he might be interested in another...
Ahh that's another thing I never knew, probably explains the strong smell of petrol in the back of my Audi.
Can you confirm the above for me on how exactly to start this the right way?
Turn fuel tap, choke up, pull start and then move the choke down gradually?
If I do decide to sell which is probably more than likely I will be in touch. No idea on what the engine would be worth however.
Thanks again
Can you confirm the above for me on how exactly to start this the right way?
Turn fuel tap, choke up, pull start and then move the choke down gradually?
If I do decide to sell which is probably more than likely I will be in touch. No idea on what the engine would be worth however.
Thanks again
Didn't realise there were so many here who've been exposed to Seagulls! I spent a large part of my teenage years in a dinghy 'powered' by one of these. As others have said, they're crude as hell, but they'll keep going longer than you will. The main issue is they couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. Use it as a talking point and get a proper engine for the dinghy or flip the lot.
If you do want to persevere, use the oil drum as someone else suggested, though remember to fill it with water first...
If you do want to persevere, use the oil drum as someone else suggested, though remember to fill it with water first...
Dinghy it self seems great, plenty of room and good condition so pointless selling that.
Might as well look at selling the outboard and getting something newer.
I believe it states you can only use up to 5hp outboard. Are these guidelines relatively strict or could you look at fitting a more powerful motor?
Cheers
Might as well look at selling the outboard and getting something newer.
I believe it states you can only use up to 5hp outboard. Are these guidelines relatively strict or could you look at fitting a more powerful motor?
Cheers
JCKST1 said:
I believe it states you can only use up to 5hp outboard. Are these guidelines relatively strict or could you look at fitting a more powerful motor?
A 6hp single is the same weight as a 5hp, may as well look for a sixer short-shaft.Just a quick Google found a nice 4hp in Malaga. Not sure where you are down there.
http://www.milanuncios.com/motores-fueraborda/yama...
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