British Seagull "The best Outboard motor for the World"

Arne Lagerholm, Uppsala, Sweden

Updated 2008-02-11

If you have seen a British Seagull outboard engine on a boat you may think it looks very antique
and old !his is often not true be"ause British Seagull is from the beginning made after a spe"ifi"
philosophy and for safe servi"e under diffi"ult "onditions at sea
#any letters from happy o$ners $ere $ritten to the fa"tory in %ngland !his "lassi"al letter is
from a sales folder in 1&8'
(it $as left under a bush at the bottom of the garden for 2) years $rapped in a plasti" type bag
and forgotten about$ithout even "hanging the spark plug it $ent on appro*imately the 12
th
pull(
+iving $ith this and other positive testimonials from their o$ners British Seagull has be"ome
almost an institution among sailors all over the $orld Sin"e the first Seagull $as manufa"tured in
1&)1 fe$ basi" things have been "hanged
!he engine $as at first made by the Sundbeam #otor ,ompany and -ohn #arston +td. $ho
built the famous Sundbeam motor"y"les in /olverhampton !he first engines $ere named (#arston
Seagull( and its "one shaped silen"er looked mu"h like a motor"y"le one
!he engine $as developed over the years and made for different duties $ith different propeller
si0es and gearing #any engine parts "an be "hanged bet$een the models !he same spare part "an
also be used for different models !he design of the engine is simple and rugged and it demands a
minimum of servi"e and "an be dismantled by simple tools It is made of pure marine grade
materials and for servi"e in salt $ater and $ill last for many years It is not un"ommon to find a
Seagull after 10 years of use to be as ne$ after "leaning up
2ll Seagull engines are made for use at boats $ith displa"ement hull Boats that goes through the
$ater and not more or less above it !he engines have no bearings but large bron0e bushes $hi"h
means that an engine "an by a""ident go overboard and still be saved !he propeller is large and
made for modest rpm
3uring // II the British 2dmiralty ordered a (rough and tough( version of (#odel 102( for use
at light boats 2t least 10000 engines $ere made in a short time Some of these engines only made
one single 4ourney to destru"tion but a lot $ere saved and used until our days
2fter some years #arston Seagull produ"tion rights $as bought out by the t$o engineers and
entrepreneurs -ohn /ay-5ope and Bill 6inninger !he t$o men had earlier $orked at the
engineering department at Sundbeam #otor ,ompany developing the Seagull engines !he
produ"tion $as moved to 6oole and the ne$ "ompany renamed the engines to7

British Seagull (!he Best 8utboard #otor for the /orld(

-ohn /ay-5ope has $ritten the very en4oyable. readable and useful. today "lassi"al manuals about
ho$ to use and maintain your British Seagull In his very spe"ial $ay generations of o$ners $ith
minor te"hni"al kno$-ho$ learned ho$ to best use their engines



Quotes from: "Operating instructions for the Models 40 & 00 Seagulls"

- 9our (Seagull( does not ask for very mu"h. and there is no diffi"ulty in giving it $hat it requires$e do
not $rite this book for fun. $e do it be"ause it is vital for your o$n pleasure. se"urity and pea"e of mind
- 3o not do your first trip $ith a ne$ engine under rush "onditions. in front of a large audien"e :or
instan"e. avoid a vital trip. "at"hing the last of the tide. in a small dinghy. laden to the gun$ales $ith gear
and people. in half a gale in the pouring rainthis sounds silly. but it is e*a"tly $hat people do only too
frequently
- ,hoose fine $eather "onditionsa useful. and. if possible. seamanlike and me"hani"al "ompaniona
quiet and se"luded spot. $here su""ess or other$ise does not matter mu"htake your time. and see that the
engine is fitted e*a"tly as laid do$n in these instru"tions. and get set thoroughly $ith the ne$ me"hanism
before starting serious business
- It is absolutely essential that the fundamentals in life is provided for a motor. and almost all the ailments
atta"hed to outboard motoring "an be a""ounted for by the attitude of (It does not matterany old plug $ill
doany old fuelany oil that is availablemi*ed in any proportionsno need to read the instru"tions. I
kno$ all about enginesnever mind about fi*ing the engine on the boat properly. $e are in a hurrythis $ill
dothat $ill do.( et". et". ad nauseam +et us say at on"e. this $ill not doand is asking for trouble

1 !he Seagull is a pure-bred marine engine. for a hard life on salt $ater
2 It is designed for a ri"h oil mi*ture to provide not only unlimited life. but adequate oil prote"tion
from the internal "orrosion al$ays asso"iated $ith the long periods of idleness inseparable from
servi"e at sea

!ubrication of the gearbo"# 9ou must not use grease 8il only must be used 2ny good quality
gear oil $ill do. of appro*imately S2% 110 vis"osity :rom 1&;8<1&;& models. %6 &0 $as
re"ommended :ill up to filler plug hole measured $ith engine in upright position

The spar$ing plug# =early &0> of engine failure is due to plug trouble. and yet. plug trouble is
almost entirely avoidable Use the right plug (,hampion 31?( or equivalent 6oints gap 0020 in
@0.' mmA :or later models $ith breakerless ignition 00)' in @0.& mmA. not less 2l$ays "arry a
spare. good. plugnot 4ust another plug $hi"h has probably been re4e"ted faulty on some previous
o""asionB
If the engine "uts out suddenly or do not start after tree or four pulls it is ten "han"es to one that it is
plug trouble /hip out the plug at on"e and "he"k

The boat and speed# =o$ as regards obtaining ma*imum speed from the $hole outfit7
:irst of all. in any displa"ement dinghy. that is to say one $hi"h goes through the $ater. as opposed
to a speed dinghy $hi"h planes on top of it. ma*imum possible speed of the boat is governed
entirely by the length of the boat and not by the po$er e*erted by the engine !o some this may be
surprising but it is a fa"t 2s a rough guide. a &-foot hull $ill rea"h 1' knots and a 1?-footer ?
knotsC other lengths in proportion 2l$ays remember. ho$ever. that it is a $aste of effort to try and
drive a boat above its "al"ulated ma*imum referred to above
Do not use a scrap more throttle opening than is necessary !he most e"onomi"al "ruising speed is
$ith the throttle lever a third open appro*imately in line $ith the tiller



Technical data and useful information about British Seagull engines#

!he follo$ing is from a folder $as published by the former distributor in S$eden. 2B #otor
Deimers in Sto"kholm and dated from 1 -anuary 1&';

Model 40 @,ode S-#A !his engine is for ?-& foot dinghies $ith lo$ transom and in the "ategory 1-
1' hp 2n easy motor to handle and liked by ladies and "hildren
Spa"e7 8'1*2?;*)18 mm

Model Super 40 %lus @,ode S-6A !his engine gives about 2' hp and is the ideal engine for 8-12
foot dinghies. 1-' m ro$ing boats and as stand by po$er for smaller sail boats
Spa"e7 &')*2?;*)18 mm

Model Super 40 %lus& !ong @,ode S-6-+A :or boats as above $ith higher transom this engine is
1'0 mm longer but gives the same gear redu"tion and has a large 1-bladed propeller Spa"e7
110'*2?;*)18 mm

Model 00 'entur( @,ode ++SA !his is the latest engine in the Seagull family It is developed
$ith a deta"hable "ylinder head @square "ylinder headA. lo$er fuel "onsumption and larger gear
redu"tion Spa"e7 &')*2?;*)18 mm

Model 00 'entur(& !ong @,ode ++S-+A Same as above but 1'0 mm longer Ideal stand by po$er
engine for larger sail boats Spa"e7 110'*2?;*)18 mm

Model 0) @,ode !,A !his engine gives about )'-1 hp at "a )800 rpm /ith the right boat it $ill
make up to ; knots Spa"e7 10'1*))0*)0' mm

Model 0)& !ong @,ode !,-+A :or boats $ith higher transom you "an use this engine $hi"h is
1'0 mm longer than !, Spa"e7 1210*))0*)0' mm

Modell 0) %lus @,ode !5,A !his engine gives more po$er than the above. large gear redu"tion
and has 1-bladed propeller $ith high thrust and "an to$ sailboats of 8-20 tons displa"ement in "alm
$eather Spa"e7 11'0*))0*)0' mm

Model 0) %lus& !ong @,ode !5,-+A Same engine as above but for boats $ith higher transom
Spa"e7 1)00*))0*)0'mm


=ote
British Seagull never "laimed effe"t in hp for their engines but talked about the propeller thrust it
gives as this is a better measure for displa"ement boats !he hp "ategories given above are based
on theoreti"al "al"ulations By different diameters of the propeller and different gearing the engines
$ere optimised for their respe"tive use +etter (,( in "ode are "lut"h models +etter (+( in "ode
means long shaft model



British Seagull# Some technical data and important notes#

'ode Bore mm Stro$e*cc +%M ma" ,ear %ropeller*Weight $g

S-%& S-%.!


1'

10<?1

)800

2171

1-blade. 1') mm<1)

S-M


1'

10<?1

1000

)'71

1-blade. 2)0 mm<11

!!S& !!S.!


';

10<102

)800

)'71

1-blade. 2)0 mm<1?

T'& T'.!


';

10<102

1000

2'71

1-blade. 2)0 mm<18

T/'& T/'.!


';

10<102

1000

171

1-blade. ))0 mm<22




0istance bet1een brac$et and 1ater line: S-#E)'' mm. S-6E110-12' mm. S-6+E'''-'?' mm.
++SE110-12' mm. ++S+E'''-'?' mm. !, F !5,E110-12' mm. !,+ F !5,+E'''-'?' mm

+ecommended gearbo" oil: %6 &0. gear oil for models7 :S. %:S. :6,. %:6,. S,. %S,. %:=D.
%=,. %=
S2% 110. gearbo* oil is unsuitable for7 :S. %:S. ''. ;'. &0. 12' and 1;0 models ,hange gearbo*
oil at least every season ,he"k "orre"t level often It is normal for a small amount of $ater to enter
the gearbo* !his $ill not harm the gears or bearings

2seful spares and tools: %*tra spark plug. propeller safety spring and split pin. starting "ord.
"ombination spanner and s"re$driver

Model identification# !he model identifi"ation is the first group of letters of the serial number on
the "rank"ase
!his group may have the letter (+( on the end $hi"h denotes a long shaft engine

)3: 4456 petrol*oil ratio# 2ll engines manufa"tured from -anuary 1&;8 are designed to operate
on a 2'71 petrol<oil ratio Use lo$ o"tane fresh "ommer"ial grade petrol and mineral outboard motor
oil !he oil ratio must not be "ut belo$ this 8lder engines "an be "onverted to this ratio if some
modifi"ations are made
See (British Seagull. Servi"e #anual( for further information

7ngine mounting# !he motor must be fitted upright @verti"allyA $ith the e*haust outlet only an
in"h or so belo$ the surfa"e of the $ater 3eeper immersion $ill affe"t both qui"k starting and
performan"e

Water pump and cooling s(stem# !he Seagull $ater pump is valveless and seldom gives any
trouble /hen the $ater is "ir"ulating "orre"tly it $ill be seen flo$ing from the outlet !he motor
"an be run at lo$ speeds for a minute or so $ithout the $ater flo$ing and then speeded up to
"ir"ulate $ater

!a(ing.up procedure# /ash $ith fresh $ater :lush the "ooling system 3rain all $ater from the
"ooling system by standing the motor in a verti"al position 3rain all fuel in tank and fuel pipe
Demove the spark plug and in4e"t some t$o-stroke oil through the plug hole and "arburettor intake
Spin the motor to distribute the oil
Depla"e the spark plug loosely 3rain and refill the gear bo* Brush the e*ternal surfa"es of the
engine $ith a light penetrating oil Store the motor in upright position in a $arm dry pla"e

8inall(# 3o not forget to atta"h your motor by the "asing tube @not bra"ketA to the boat $ith a
lanyard and7
(Geep the starting rope dryB(

!iterature& important to stud(: "British Seagull. 8$ners handbook( "British Seagull. Servi"e
manual( (British Seagull. Spares +ist( 2l$ays quote your engine number for questions and $hen
ordering spares

0isclaimer# 9ou a""ept all risks and responsibility for losses. damages. "osts and other
"onsequen"es resulting dire"tly or indire"tly from using this site and any information or material
available from it
%7T+O!*O9! +:TlO#
2ll motors manufa"tured from -anuary 1&;8 are designed to operate on a 2'71 petrol<oil ratio
#otors manufa"tured before -anuary 1&;8 are designed for 1071 petrol<oil ratio but "an
satisfa"torily use this ratio. providing the follo$ing modifi"ations are made7
:8D!9 :%2!5%D/%IH5! and :8D!9 6+US #83%+S - : F :6 series fitted $ith the Seagull -
Iilliers "arburettor !he =o ) taper needle at present fitted should be repla"ed $ith a =o 2 needle
@6art =o I?'1<2A !aper needle ad4ustment setting is standard JA
:8D!9 :%2!5%D/%IH5! and :8D!9 6+US #83%+S - H: F H:6 series fitted $ith the
Seagull-Bing "arburettor =o modifi"ations required
SI+I%D ,%=!UD9 and SI+I%D ,%=!UD9 6+US #83%+S - /S F /S6 series fitted $ith the
Seagull-2mal "arburettor !he =o 1' po$er 4et should be repla"ed $ith the slightly smaller =o 10
4et @6art =o S;<0?2<10A
Use a good quality t$o-stroke oil
JA !he small s"re$ in the top of the throttle valve piston "ontrols the ad4ustment !he standard
setting is flush or one full turn above the top of the piston
British Seagull
+7MO;:! O8 8!<W/77! M:,=7TOS# :ll MO07!S#
!5% #2H=%!8 :+9/5%%+ should never be removed e*"ept for ma4or overhaul or repair after
submersion. a""ident. et" !o ad4ust the "onta"t breaker points. it is only ne"essary to remove the
fly$heel nut and starter-pulley-plate on top of the magneto #ake ad4ustments through the e*posed
apertures in the fly$heel
:ly$heel removal should only be undertaken by a me"hani" $ith a $ell fitting spanner. and an
assistant supporting the fly$heel I!KS 2 !/8-#2= -8B U=3%D =8 ,ID,U#S!2=,%S
S58U+3 2= %L!D2,!8D B% US%3 Su"h an instrument $ill "ause distortion. or fra"ture
@1 A Uns"re$ the dome nut @anti-"lo"k$iseA and remove starter-pulley-plate
@2A Squirt penetrating oil. thinners. or a suitable solvent do$n the key$ay slot. and leave for about
five minutes
@)A Depla"e the dome nut. and s"re$ it do$n fully
@1A !5IS IS II!2+7 Demove the spark plug and rotate the fly$heel until the piston is furthest a$ay
from the spark plug hole ,arefully retaining this position. get an assistant to lift up. and keep the
fly$heel lifted $ith both hands @t$o people are essential - the operation "annot be a"hieved single-
handedA !hen strike the dome nut a good hard blo$ $ith a medium hammer !his $ill release the
fly$heel from the "rankshaft +ight blo$s $ith a light hammer only damage the dome nut and
"rankshaft threads
@'A Demove the dome nut and lift off the fly$heel
@?A !o remove the baseplate assembly. as $ell as the fly$heel merely sla"ken off the slotted base-
s"re$ @6art =o #212A several tuns. and lift off !he fit is fairly tight
@;A D%-2SS%#B+9 /hen repla"ing the magneto baseplate. see that this slotted s"re$ engages in
the timing hole in the "rank"ase spigot !his s"re$ should be se"ured firmly. but not overtightened
@8A Before repla"ing the fly$heel and starter-pulley-plate by hand. grease the taper ,arefully lo"ate
the key$ay over the "rankshaft key. and s"re$ do$n the dome nut really tightly Use a $ell fitting
spanner in "on4un"tion $ith a hammer to harden do$n
@&A !he "onta"t breaker points should be ad4usted to 020 in"h @0' mmA before refitting the starter-
pulley-plate et"
=B !he position in paragraph 1 must be retained throughout. parti"ularly $hilst the hammer is
used. other$ise. the "rankshaft may be distorted and the main bearings misaligned
British Seagull Model 9dentification
,ode #odel Series #anufa"tured Hearbo* lube
S-# :orty #inus 1&'' to 1&?; S2% 110
: :orty :eather$eight 1&?; to 1&;? S2% 110
H: :orty :eather$eight 1&;; to 1&;8 S2% 110
:S :orty :eather$eight 1&;8 to 1&;& S2% &0
H:S :orty :eather$eight 1&;8 to 1&;& S2% &0
%:S :orty :eather$eight<#odel 1' 1&;& to J S2% &0
%H: #odel 1' 1&82 to 1&81 S2% 110
2: #odel 1' 1&81 to 1&8' S2% 110
%: :orty :eather$eight<#odel 1' 1&8' to J S2% 110
S-6 :orty 6lus 1&'? to1&?; S2% 110
:6 :orty 6lus #ark II 1&?; to 1&;& S2% 110
H:6 :orty 6lus #ark II 1&;? to 1&;& S2% 110
%:6/ #odel ?0 1&8) to J S2% 110
%H:6/ #odel ?0 1&82 to 1&81 S2% 110
:6, :orty 6lus ,lut"h 3rive 1&;8 to 1&;& S2% &0
H:6, :orty 6lus ,lut"h 3rive 1&;8 to 1&;& S2% &0
%:6, :orty 6lus ,lut"h 3rive<#odel'' 1&;& to J S2% &0
2:6, #odel '' 1&8) to 1&81 S2% &0
++S ,entury 100 1&'? to1&?; S2% 110
/ ,entury 100 1&?; to 1&;) S2% 110
,6 ,entury 6lus :i*ed 3rive 1&'; to 1&?; S2% 110
/6 ,entury 6lus :i*ed 3rive 1&?; to 1&?& S2% 110
,6, ,entury 6lus ,lut"h 3rive 1&'& to 1&?; S2% 110
/6, ,entury 6lus ,lut"h 3rive 1&?; to 1&;) S2% 110
S Silver ,entury 1&?? to 1&?& S2% 110
/S Silver ,entury 1&?& to 1&;& S2% 110
/S, Silver ,entury ,lut"h 3rive 1&;8 to 1&;& S2% &0
%S, Silver ,entury ,lut"h 3rive<#odel ;' 1&;& to J S2% &0
S6 Silver ,entury 6lus :i*ed 3rive 1&?? to1&?& S2% 110
S6, Silver ,entury 6lus ,lut"h 3rive 1&?? to1&?& S2% 110
/S6, Silver ,entury 6lus ,lut"h 3rive 1&?& to 1&;& S2% 110
%S6, Silver ,entury 6lus ,lut"h 3rive<#odel 80 1&;& to J S2% &0
%:=D #odel 110<#odel &0 1&;& to J S2% &0
%=, #odel 12' 1&81 to J S2% &0
%= #odel 1;0 1&82 to J S2% &0
=ote: !etter >!> after engine lettering or number denotes long shaft model# 8rom ?@A a
letter and a number code is used at the end of the engine number to denote the month and
(ear of manufacture###the letter indicates the month and the number the (ear of manufacture
i# e# :A -anuar( ?@A& BA 8ebruar( ?@A etc# 8rom ?BA t1o letters 1ere used i#e# ::A
-anuar( ?BA# BBA 8ebruar( ?BA& etc#