To Daniel-seagull engine
You talking about the seagull engine brought back memories which might be
worth sharing for the fun. Many years ago I built a 34' wharram catamaran
which had a 5 hp. seagull. On this one I had to wind the rope each time
before pulling. This engine did not come with a cowling. This required me
to lay over the transom, with body hanging down to accomplish this. Of
course I was younger then.
I had a lot of adventures with that boat and we will call this one the
garbage bag trick. We had spent a long morning fighting our way westward
under and past the mackinac bridge in the straights of Michigan. The waves
were seven feet or so and the wind close to gale force. All sails were up
(I did mention I was young) and my friend had just came back to the helm.
There was a loud crack, and a blur where he had just walked. Suddenly
there was no main mast or anything ahead of me except the deck. All was
overboard in a flash.
It took some time to haul broken mast, main and jib aboard. The boat being
thrown wildly about with the mizzen holding it into the wind during the
process. At this point, I noticed we were being swept on the rocks which
were still a mile or so away from shore.
I immediately tried to start the engine as the boat would not come about
with the small aft mizzen sail. Hanging upside down and pulling on the
line again and again. Each attempt would bring the engine to life, only to
have waves submerge the outboard. While hanging there, I could see the
rocks within several feet now and had an idea. I yelled at my friend to
grab a garbage bag. This I put over the engine after wrapping the line.
Then, tore a hole to reach through. This time when she fired, the waves
were deflected and the engine was happy beneath the plastic.
I did get the boat away and turned around safely. The ride eastward was a
fun day, surfing all the way back to Drummand island where I cut another
tree for a new mast.
worth sharing for the fun. Many years ago I built a 34' wharram catamaran
which had a 5 hp. seagull. On this one I had to wind the rope each time
before pulling. This engine did not come with a cowling. This required me
to lay over the transom, with body hanging down to accomplish this. Of
course I was younger then.
I had a lot of adventures with that boat and we will call this one the
garbage bag trick. We had spent a long morning fighting our way westward
under and past the mackinac bridge in the straights of Michigan. The waves
were seven feet or so and the wind close to gale force. All sails were up
(I did mention I was young) and my friend had just came back to the helm.
There was a loud crack, and a blur where he had just walked. Suddenly
there was no main mast or anything ahead of me except the deck. All was
overboard in a flash.
It took some time to haul broken mast, main and jib aboard. The boat being
thrown wildly about with the mizzen holding it into the wind during the
process. At this point, I noticed we were being swept on the rocks which
were still a mile or so away from shore.
I immediately tried to start the engine as the boat would not come about
with the small aft mizzen sail. Hanging upside down and pulling on the
line again and again. Each attempt would bring the engine to life, only to
have waves submerge the outboard. While hanging there, I could see the
rocks within several feet now and had an idea. I yelled at my friend to
grab a garbage bag. This I put over the engine after wrapping the line.
Then, tore a hole to reach through. This time when she fired, the waves
were deflected and the engine was happy beneath the plastic.
I did get the boat away and turned around safely. The ride eastward was a
fun day, surfing all the way back to Drummand island where I cut another
tree for a new mast.