Then

In 1931, the first British Seagull outboard engine produced was a twin-cylinder 10 HP known as the Marston Seagull; this British built outboard engine featured innovative concepts including a water-cooled exhaust and a reverse gear.  In 1938, the chief developer and the designer of the Marston Seagull purchased the patent and manufacturing rights for the engine and began the Bristol Motor Company.  Cited as “the best outboard motor in the world,” the Marston Seagull name was changed to become the British Seagull outboard engine, and as of 1996 these outboard engines are no longer manufactured.

Now

Although they are no longer produced, parts are still manufactured and supplied through Sheridan Marine located in Oxfordshire, England.

Customer Satisfaction

During the 65 year production run of classic British Seagull outboard engines, over 2.5 million outboard motors were produced, many of which are still in service today.  These outboards have a dedicated following of fans who love the reliability and performance of these traditional engines.

The Facts about British Seagull Outboard Engines

Makes & Models

During its run, the British Seagull outboard engine was produced in approximately 78 different models including: a 2 HP known as a 2 HP Seagull, a Featherweight, a Forty-Minus, or a Model 45 featuring a Mk3 ignition; a 3 HP Seagull also known as a Forty-Plus – this 3HP category also included a Model 60 with Mk3 ignition, a Forty-Plus with a clutch, and a Model 55; 4 to 4.5 HP engine series including the Century 100, Century Plus fixed drive, and Century Plus clutch; and a 5 to 5.5 HP series which included the Silver Century, Silver Century with Clutch (plus clutch model 75), Silver Century Plus clutch, Silver Century Plus clutch (models 80, 100, & 90).  Model 102 was primarily produced from the 1940’s to the 1950’s with some Model 102 engines produced until 1973.  Other models included Model 170, Model 125, Queens Belfast (QB), Curlew, Kingfisher, and Osprey outboard engine models.

British Seagull Parts & Manuals & Questions

Owner’s, service, and parts manuals are available directly from the Sheridan Marine website.  Once you’ve identified your engine lettering and number, original spare parts can be ordered from by fax, telephone, email or snail-mail.  There are also two British Seagull repair handbooks written by David Sales available on Amazon.com.

If you’d like to ask a British Seagull outboard engine question sooner than waiting for a manual to arrive, try the Just Answer website.  For a fee ranging from $14 to $34, you can ask a Just Answer expert  and receive an answer within minutes from a certified marine mechanic.  You can also browse previous questions and answers free of charge.

British Seagull Owner’s Clubs and Groups

There are several online forums dedicated including Saving Old Seagulls (SOS), Seagull Restoration, Lagerholm, and Seagull Parts.  There is also a British Seagull owner’s Yahoo Group.

Sources:
Flickr.com Photo Credit – Outboard Engines by Elsie Esq.
Wikipedia
British Seagull
Sheridan Marine
Just Answer
Saving Old Seagulls
Seagull Restoration
Lagerholm
Seagull Parts
Yahoo Group