Saving Old Seagulls

Here are the latest rules for NZ Waikato seagull racing. Excellent makes it all clear.
Waikato River New Zealand, Class Rules for Seagull Racing
2.5 hp DINGHY: 3.5-1 hull ratio minimum, mono hull, minimum length 10ft, standard classic 64cc seagull engine, no modifications, cavitation plate allowed, prop modifications allowed using seagull props.
2.5 hp MODIFIED: any hull, minimum length 10ft, classic 64cc engine, must have seagull block (no liners), seagull crankcase, seagull head, seagull flywheel, seagull carbuator, legs from other outboards allowed, reed valves allowed, tuned pipes allowed, cavitation plate and prop modifications allowed, over size pistons allowed in modified class only.
4.5 hp DINGHY: 3.5-1 hull ratio minimum, mono hull, minimum length 10ft, standard classic 102cc engine, no modifications, engine models 102, century, and silver century, cavitation plate allowed, prop modifications allowed using seagull props.
4.5 hp MODIFIED CLASS: any hull, minimum length 10ft, classic seagull must have seagull block (no liners), crankcase, flywheel, head, carbuator, legs from other outboards allowed, reed valves allowed, tuned pipes allowed, cavitation plate and prop modifications allowed, engines are 102, century, and silver century, QB curlew 64cc, 170 unmodified or two 2.5hp 64cc seagulls, oversize pistons allowed in the modified class only.
CLASSIC BERMUDIAN CLASS: mono hull, minimum length 3.5-1 hull ratio, minimum length 12ft, two persons on board with minimum combined weight of 150kg, spare seagull may be used to make up minimum weight, standard engine, no modifications, 102, century and silver century models, cavitation plate allowed, prop modifications allowed using seagull props.
NEW BERMUDIAN CLASS: mono hull, minimum length 12ft, max 20ft, one bow, no outriggers, two persons onboard with minimum combined weight of 150kg, spare seagull engine can be used to make up weight, standard engine, no modifications, models 102, century and silver century, prop modifications allowed using seagull props, cavitation plate allowed.
OPEN CLASS: any hull, minimum length 10ft, engines are the QB range, osprey, kingfisher, 170, 5R, which must have seagull block (no liners), crankcase, flywheel, head, carbuator, 5hp Yamaha legs allowed, cavitation plate allowed, prop modifications allowed.
SPORT CLASS: any hull minimum length 10ft, seagull sport engine, standard 123cc, prop modifications allowed.
ENGINES: may be checked to make sure they comply with class rules, parts from other models for a standard engine will be allowed as long as they are not performance enhancing e.g. replacing rusted block, ignition system. Amal 416 carbuator only allowed on silver century in standard classes, standard pump fuel to be used in all classes except modified, open and sport. Standard engine means as it was manufactured at the factory and all parts are unmodified.
NOTES: minimum hull length is 10ft for one man and 12ft for two for safety reasons which will come into effect for 2012 race, if competitors can satisfy officials before the event that their craft is sea worthy at a smaller size then approval may be given. (Must be pre-approved).

Note...... These are proposed rules for 2012 and are for the Waikato River Race only.

Not sure about that.

It's managed to exclude my 170 which currently holds the record for the fastest real Seagull down that river.

If you've got a good stock 170 there isn't a modified classic that I've ever seen that will get within 2 miles an hour behind it.

A stock 170 has 2.6 times more power than a stock Century ( that's from Seagull's own dyno figures).

Tuned pipes, oversized pistons, anybody's leg & rocket fuel start making it into a "he who spends the most money wins" sport.

Dear Charles, The rules that have been set down are there to protect the STOCK Ma and Pa Racers who do it for FUN, you can rest assured that anyone that trys to "burgle" in the STOCK classes will be outed and pilloried... STOCK means exactly that the only modification is a cavitation plate ... STOCK propellors maybe polished, but not swept or recut.. STOCK motors must be fixed to transoms with standard Seagull brackets .. there is to be no provision to be able to mechanically raise or lower the motor while racing in the STOCK classes ... the stock 170's you worry about racing in modified, if they win a race by any margin, then the information I have been given will be proven to be incorrect and it will be reclassified ... your 170 sits comfortably in British Seagull Open as it is , perhaps you should fit it to a standard leg and campaign in modified for a season or two.. good luck with your event, hope you can get some of your countrymen off their derriers and get them flapping their arms instead of flappin their gobs ... have a nice day... John Crighton

Here here, I agree some one has to draw a line in the sand. These rules draw it very well. May the racing begin and the politics stop.

The above rules only apply to the Easter Waikato race , & are purely design to keep the stock classes "STOCK" so that first time entrants are playing on a level playing field!