hi rich.
if you see your mate in the paint store get some good quality gloss paint as the wood being pourous will soak it in and put a
hard shell on it. Enamel gloss also if you can get or smooth hammerite. The other types of paint are best for the shiny
plastic surfaces. If you are keen to restore the motor possibly the vintage site I listed would be able to steer you in that
direction. Or google for Frog motor restorations. RE: C4 that was just the boss taking the PI55 as he recons its a bin job
The reason the consensus of opinion is towards the electric motor to-day is the enviromental regulations to water based
animal and plant habitats have now been stringently enforced by many councils so the IC or glow plug sailor is now banned
from many waters and if not is frowned upon by other sailing water users. To days electric motors and batteries have
advanced to such an extent that they are now on a par with the speed of the older fuel powered engines. The electric motor
has many other advantages that have probably been mentioned already.
Frank.