Reply To: Sea King 12 serial number question

[STEVEN HOLM]

Paul,  I have a 1954 – 1955, Model Number GG-9016A.  My Serial Number is 45X559838.  Have also a 1957, Model Number GG9016C, Serial 75X672393.  The identification comes from a Gale Service Manual, Second Edition.  This manual does not list the 1954 and 1955 Sea Kings separately, instead, 1954-55.   The Deluxe 12 came out in 1956, have one of those as well.  They have very similar styling, no internal tank on top though.  In addition, different leg, similar if not the same as the 1955 and later Evinrude/Johnsons.  I could go on, many other updates.  The 1954 and 1955 Sea King 12’s were known as Deluxe.  After 1956, they were referred to in advertisements as the Sea King Standard 12.  Wards catalogs can be used to confirm this fact.  From 1956 to 1958 the Standard model was only advertised in the Spring sales catalog supplements.  Sold for considerably less than the Deluxe.  It should have, a lot less features!  I do not think any of the 54/55 or later Standards were ever “packaged” with a remote tank from the factory.  The large catalogs and the sales supplements sold the tank and fuel pump as an accessory item for the motors.  My family owned a new 1958 Standard.  I can remember my dad purchasing the tank and watched him install the fuel pump with my uncle.  The internal tank is completely disabled after adding the fuel pump.  The only way to use the tank, on top of the motor again would be to pull the cover, move the fuel line from the pump back to the internal tank.  I should think that most everyone would have eventually purchased the remote tank and pump.  I recall, we did not get very far on that internal tank.  Plus, spilled gas in the lake trying to fill it up.  So, why design a motor with the internal tank?  Gale did not want to directly take sales away from the Johnson and Evinrude dealers.  The motors offered by Gale would, early on, be sold with fewer features and less horsepower.  The midrange engine was a 12, not a 15, the big “gun”, a 22, not a 25.  In 54 a popular feature was a remote tank on Johnson and Evinrude, Gale had the 12, less horsepower and no remote tank.  When 1956 rolled around, a new Sea King 12 was introduced, now the Deluxe had a smooth top, no gas cap, instead a fancy remote tank was utilized.  Plus a sealed hood with new suspension.  It did not have easy servicing however, hood would not easily lift off like cousin Evinrude or Johnson.  Further, no trolling hold on the throttle.  They pulled over with more difficulty as well, no fancy timed recoil either.  I hope to have one of my Standard 12s on the water in the next couple years, will bring back some great memories.  As a kid, we raced the neighbors boat, a Crestliner, like ours, but with a 1955 Evinrude 15.  The 12 was not beat.  Would not be the case with a Deluxe 12, they weigh more, probably more than the Evinrude due to the bulky and larger casing.  Enjoy your motor!