Motor For Typhoon

[Hugh Gorman]

We have restored a 1974 Typhoon named Millenium Falcon. Our current engine is a mint condition British Seagull. The problem with the Seagull is starting it quickly and the lack of reverse. Also, it is relatively short shafted and accordingly, when weight in the boat shifts forward, the engine rises out of the water. I am looking for suggestions as to other engines that are in use, the cost of same and other pertinent info. that may assist us in determining whether to repower the Falcon in the off season.



hgorman@haslaw.com

[Bob]

We have restored a 1974 Typhoon named Millenium Falcon. Our current engine is a mint condition British Seagull. The problem with the Seagull is starting it quickly and the lack of reverse. Also, it is relatively short shafted and accordingly, when weight in the boat shifts forward, the engine rises out of the water. I am looking for suggestions as to other engines that are in use, the cost of same and other pertinent info. that may assist us in determining whether to repower the Falcon in the off season.

I have had very good luck with a Nissan 5 HP with the long shaft and remote tank. It really has more power than you need but it has been extremely reliable on my 1976 Typnoon "First Lady"



rcvaneck@aol.com

[Jim Sullivan]

We have restored a 1974 Typhoon named Millenium Falcon. Our current engine is a mint condition British Seagull. The problem with the Seagull is starting it quickly and the lack of reverse. Also, it is relatively short shafted and accordingly, when weight in the boat shifts forward, the engine rises out of the water. I am looking for suggestions as to other engines that are in use, the cost of same and other pertinent info. that may assist us in determining whether to repower the Falcon in the off season.

I have a 4.5 hp Mercury (forward, neutral and reverse), long shaft on my Typhoon. Motor is mounted on original bracket. Motor is 1984 and is used about 3 hours/season getting in and out of a slip (launch and haul). I have a separate tank. 4.5 hp is more than adequate for Ty. A motor with reverse is a definite plus. I do not know cost as I didn't buy motor--it came with boat. Motor runs great. I stow it below during season when boat is at mooring.



atea@att.net

[Robert]

We have restored a 1974 Typhoon named Millenium Falcon. Our current engine is a mint condition British Seagull. The problem with the Seagull is starting it quickly and the lack of reverse. Also, it is relatively short shafted and accordingly, when weight in the boat shifts forward, the engine rises out of the water. I am looking for suggestions as to other engines that are in use, the cost of same and other pertinent info. that may assist us in determining whether to repower the Falcon in the off season.

We use a Honda 2HP on our Ty which has provided plenty of power for moving the boat when the wind dies. No smoke either.



rjohn12@midsouth.rr.com

[Mike Wainfeld]

I think that 3hp is the best compromise between power and weight for the Ty. 2hp will move the boat nicely in flat water, but is not enough power if you find you have to get somewhere against wind and waves. 4 and 5hp get a little too heavy to lift on and off the boat. Get a long shaft. My Yamaha cost $662 new. Run the engine regularly, keep the tank topped off, winterize it, and its pretty reliable.



wainfeld@optonline.net

[Dan Moore]

My 1974 Ty #583 came with a 1985 Mercury 5 hp long shaft. I had some shoulder problems earlier in the season and had to resort to locking the engine and bracket to the hull (not stowing below after each use). This has changed the way she sets in the water and I have a lovely crop of foreign critters growing.
I have a separate tank which stows under the cockpit seat with the fuel line accessible through the lazarette locker. The internal tank has a few drops of fuel for emergencies.
The 5 hp is just adequate for manuvering the stiff current in the channel, and has pushed us off the sand at dead low tide. I have locked the motor shaft dead ahead and use the tiller/rudder to steer. Is that how others do it?



ride9618@ride.ri.net

[Bob B]

I have a Tohatsu 3.5 and it pushes the ty along very well. I even have to cut back when entering the marina for the wake it causes. Even with a long shaft the motor rises to the point that the water intake leaves the water when I go forward. If underway, this doesn't happen. I only have forward and neutral but spin the motor backwards to put the boat in reverse. This works well and I sit on the port aft deck to steer from at low rpms. At high rpms, I use the tiller of the boat and just let the engine do its thing.

Bob B

[Bill Bloxham]

Second that.
I too have a 3.5, and it's almost the ideal engine for the Ty. The downside is the vibration of the 1 cyl. at low speeds, but you will find that with any 1 cylinder engine.
The best thing about the 3.5 is that it weighs 33 pounds complete (long shaft) and you can stow it below to balance the boat. I use the traditional type mount, and it makes it easier to get the engine forward without the worry that I will drop it over the side. The traditional mount also keeps the 3.5 from rolling about the cabin. My 3.5 starts on the first or second pull under almost any conditions.
I paid about $800 (new) three years ago.
Bill



mmmmmmbill@aol.com

[Chris]

First motor was a 3.5 Tohatsu, the kind that swivels. Pain in arse when coming back into the slip - I gave up trying to bring it in under power & simply learned to "coast" it in. Now I have a 4HP Mercury with F-N-R plus it swivels - love it! I don't think it weights the boat much differently than the 3.5 either.

[Chris Scheck]

Don't buy one of those Jap motors! I don't care how good they are.
I love the look of a Seagull on a Typhoon. They look like they were made for each other. We had a Seagull on a 19' daysailer back in the 60s. They made a long shaft model and a (rather rare) reverse model too. Maybe you could find an old parts motor for sale and upgrade yours.



cscheck@aol.com

[Richard Rosenberger]

I use a tanaka 300 on my 1974 weekender "Second Wind" works good only 24 lbs. has a clutch so at idle the prop stops no reverse will swivel 180 only $500.00 New quiet too.



r.rosenberger@verizon.net

[Bill Hammond]

We have restored a 1974 Typhoon named Millenium Falcon. Our current engine is a mint condition British Seagull. The problem with the Seagull is starting it quickly and the lack of reverse. Also, it is relatively short shafted and accordingly, when weight in the boat shifts forward, the engine rises out of the water. I am looking for suggestions as to other engines that are in use, the cost of same and other pertinent info. that may assist us in determining whether to repower the Falcon in the off season.

I have a long-shaft Honda 2 horsepower 4-stroke outboard for my Typhoon. We are very satisfied with this engine. It is light and powerful, and tucks in under the cockpit. It's perhaps more expensive than alternatives (about $750) but worth the extra cost in my opinion.



pubstrat1@aol.com

[Erik]

Please...these little outboards are all well and good but Seagulls? lifting the damn engine on and off the stern, while underway? "FAR", Typhoon #155, carries a six horsepower, longshaft, four stroke, 2001 Tohatsu, permanently mounted on a after market mount. I have the power to buck currents and get home safely, a real reverse gear that actually stops the boats forward motion and peace of mind. The Typhoon is a small ship and as such she deserves a real power plant.



cinesets@aol.com