Engine Identification

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This is a Sea Bee Model 1/ Minor mk 2, dated from 1964 until the end of production in 1974. As can be seen from the picture, there are several differences between the mk1 and mk2, the main being the alteration of the drive tube for a cast alloy lump to a single machined tube of either alloy, chrome plated, or nickel plated finish. The transom clamp is almost the same with slight difference for the altered drive tube, and the top gear box casting is also changed.

They also changed the tiller arm design and mounting at this time, from a single rubber mounted type, to a curved alloy casting which fastened between the engine and drive tub flange, so had a removable arm which had a threaded piece half way up the curve, while others were of a single cast piece construction.

The Sea Bee 2 was introduced between 1969 and 1970 when the jap and aspera powered motors were dropped from the sea bee range. fitted with a 1 - 1.5hp Jlo engine, this motor used the model 1 or minor drive leg with an adaptor plate for the Jlo power unit. The colour scheme was different with this engine, mainly hammerite hammered finish blue. Some versions used jap style drooping fuel tanks while others used the Jlo bulky plastic fuel tank attached to a thin steel casing.

This is the Sea Bee model 3 mk1 which was produced from 1957 untill the major range alteration in 1964, it is fitted with the 79.7cc jap engine. The codes for these engines changed alot, but the basic code is FS8, it is rated at 2 1/2 - 3 hp. This model of sea bee has an Air cooled engine and water cooled exhaust / drive leg

This is the Sea Bee model 3 mk 2, running from 1964 untill the late 1960's when it was changed back to the mk 1 design, as can be seen it differs considerably from the mk 1, the main difference been the drive / exhaust tube has been changed from a cast alloy one, to 2 tubes which were either alloy, chrome, nickle plated tubes depending on age and customer spec. The Gear Box was altered to accept the new tube design, and rather than having a water cooled exhaust like the mk 1, this type had simple air cooling, this caused all sorts of problems and that is why the model 3 was put back to the mk 1 design in the late 1960's.

The Sea Bee 4 was also introduced at the time of the range change around 1970. This motor use an altered sea bee 3 drive leg with an altered exhaust manifold. This type of sea bee also used the hammered finish hammerite blue, but some used a lighter colour blue applied and also had a fibre blas cowling fitted over the engine.

This is the Sea Bee model 5, this outboard was made from start of outboard production in 1957 and continued near enough unchanged untill the major range change at the end of the 1960's.

it was the only sea bee that was fully water cooled, the engine been developed jointly between austin burrell ltd and jap. The outboard was fitted with a full fibre glass shroud making it look more like a johnson sea horse 2 or similar. The engine itself is a 106cc engine, reving upto 4,500rpm and giving a respectable 5hp.

The Sea Bee Tempest

The Sea Bee Tempest was one of the range of outboards offered from 1961 untill around 1970. It is a 3hp motor fitted with an Air cooled Aspera power unit, and a water cooled exhaust/drive leg. These Sea Bee's were similar in design to the model 5 and had a full fibre glass shroud around the engine, they also came with a remote 2.5 Gallon fuel tank and a full tool kit.

If anyone has pictures of this engine can they please email them to me for inclusion on this page.

The Sea Bee Hurricane

The Sea Bee Hurricane was another of the outboards offered from 1961 untill the big range change around 1970. This outboard was fitted with a 130.8cc, 6hp Air Cooled engine unit made by Aspera of Turin. This outboard was similar to the Tempest in that it had a water cooled exhaust/drive leg, Full Fibre glass shrouding round the engine and a remote 2.5 gallon fuel tank.

If anyone has pictures of this engine can they please email them to me for inclusion on this page.