Ouch! Whenever I hear (or now see) my name three times in a row, I know I must
be in trouble.
<These statements sound just a wee bit contradictory to me.
I'm not sure what you find contradictory. Dependability can be had when you
know the limitations of your tools. My experience last year taught me to cover
my engine when we get a continuous rain if I want to keep my powder dry (as it
were). The engine didn't fail because it was a bad engine, but because I didn't
take the proper care to keep water out of the fuel.
<Another aspect of the Seagull, other than owners can espouse about how
dependable they are, even when they're not running, is that they are incredibly
damaging to the environment. Not only the oil and gas they discharge into the
water, but the unburned fuel that goes into the atmosphere in the form of
exhaust. Think about another statement you made:
Again, dependability doesn't have anything to do with whether the engine is
environmentally friendly. I agree that by todays standards the Seagull isn't.
I am pretty much a sailing purist. Having owned 11 sailboats, 9 have been
without engines. I take the Seagull for emergency use only. I'll dare say,
that my Seagull has been used less in two years than your Honda four stroke sees
in a weekend outing. If we compare, I'll bet you've polluted more than I have,
if you like keeping score.
<"A better world begins with you!"
I too, am an environmentally aware person. I regret that I haven't evolved to
the level required by law in California yet. I'm sure I'll get there someday,
but right now, I live in Texas... I do believe in the above quote. If I've
failed your test, I beg your pardon.
<The Seagull is a dependable motor in that it is very simple. Few parts. If
you ever had an erector set, you could rebuild the motor with your leatherman
in the middle of the ocean without even the need of a manual. Technology has
given us cleaner, quieter and substantially more dependable outboards.
Ah!! Here is the matter of strength for its continued use. Technology raises
everyone to a level of incompetence. If I can't fix it, I don't want it.
Poverty has much to do with this attitude, and I make no apology for that. If
everything is left to the Technocrats the poor will be restricted right out of
most pleasant passtimes. I do not hold to the ideology that pleasure belongs
only to those who can afford it.
<Seagulls are interesting in a historical sort of way, as are the old
Evinrudes I've seen at antique boat shows. Once you've enjoyed the
dependability and quietness of a modern four stroke, you, too, will find the
early designed two strokes amusing.
Nostalgia!! I love it. I still remember the quiet days of the '60's.... Oh,
OK the '50's. Give me a Studebaker over a Nissan any ole' day.
<This post will probably re-ignite an old thread. I think Harry and I have
kind of driven this subject into the ground in the past, but--what the heck?
Harry seems to be my kind of guy... I'm sorry but I didn't catch the name of my
complainer, but so do you.
( :->
Perry
-------------------------------------------------
Perry W. Phillips
"A better world begins with you!"
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.prayercircle.org
prayercircle@prayercircle.org = For Prayer Request
1970 C Type West Wight Potter "Frodo" Un-numbered Hull
http://www.prayercircle.org/pwphil/index.html
Port Arthur, Texas (Sabine Lake/Gulf of Mexico)