Sea Streak Subtleties

[Crucian]

Was it not the ‘air brakes’ that were the cause of the infamous howl, Rather than the bearings? Whatever it was, I couldn’t afford one, and had to make do with various second hand Penns, until I got a Mitchell 602.

[Rockape]

Was it not the ‘air brakes’ that were the cause of the infamous howl, Rather than the bearings? Whatever it was, I couldn’t afford one, and had to make do with various second hand Penns, until I got a Mitchell 602.

Possibly correct Crucian, I was going by a comment someone made (I forget where now), that oiling the bearings reduced it to a hum.

I confess, I should have tested that one out myself before making that comment (as soon as I can get a winch fit beach rod, I will put it to the test myself and report back).

[Crucian]

Was it not the ‘air brakes’ that were the cause of the infamous howl, Rather than the bearings? Whatever it was, I couldn’t afford one, and had to make do with various second hand Penns, until I got a Mitchell 602.

Possibly correct Crucian, I was going by a comment someone made (I forget where now), that oiling the bearings reduced it to a hum.

I confess, I should have tested that one out myself before making that comment (as soon as I can get a winch fit beach rod, I will put it to the test myself and report back).

I’m sure you’re right regarding the oil, not something we paid much attention to back then, which is probably why they corroded so badly, lack of maintenance. I remember being very impressed with my friends Sea Streak, it had plenty of knobs and levers, most of which were a mystery to us. I do remember the ratchet, I believe it had several positions, just like the Intrepid Surfcast fixed spool that my father used for many years. I also remember various other Intrepid multipliers, the Buccaneer? A black reel, and another red one which I can’t recall the name. Popular reels at the time, and British made of course. Many memories, good days.

[Watermole+]

[/quote]


Their 'Sea Screech/Scream' reputation doesn't help either, though I think if owners back in the day had oiled the spool bearings regularly (and not with 3 in One oil), this unwelcome trait could have been massively reduced.

[/quote]


I agree that for the most part, reels could have been oiled more than they were-which still applies today in some cases,

but would be interested in why you find "3-in-1" oil to be so unsuitable for reels?

I have used it for many years and except for tournament casting -which very few do- find it perfectly OK for all general fishing reels, both river and sea.

wm+

[Rockape]

Their 'Sea Screech/Scream' reputation doesn't help either, though I think if owners back in the day had oiled the spool bearings regularly (and not with 3 in One oil), this unwelcome trait could have been massively reduced.

[/quote]


I agree that for the most part, reels could have been oiled more than they were-which still applies today in some cases,

but would be interested in why you find "3-in-1" oil to be so unsuitable for reels?

I have used it for many years and except for tournament casting -which very few do- find it perfectly OK for all general fishing reels, both river and sea.

wm+
[/quote]

My apologies to eveyrone on this, I think it is quite suitable for fishing reels in general, but I was thinking that using too thin an oil, may not subdue the bearing noise enough.

I think I should wind my neck in on this one and do a few experiments before extending it again..lol!
Now I do have a really good reason to use these reels in anger (not literally of course).

Much respect to you Watermole (and all)

[Watermole+]

Their 'Sea Screech/Scream' reputation doesn't help either, though I think if owners back in the day had oiled the spool bearings regularly (and not with 3 in One oil), this unwelcome trait could have been massively reduced.

I agree that for the most part, reels could have been oiled more than they were-which still applies today in some cases,

but would be interested in why you find "3-in-1" oil to be so unsuitable for reels?

I have used it for many years and except for tournament casting -which very few do- find it perfectly OK for all general fishing reels, both river and sea.

wm+
[/quote]

My apologies to eveyrone on this, I think it is quite suitable for fishing reels in general, but I was thinking that using too thin an oil, may not subdue the bearing noise enough.

I think I should wind my neck in on this one and do a few experiments before extending it again..lol!
Now I do have a really good reason to use these reels in anger (not literally of course).

Much respect to you Watermole (and all)
[/quote]


Not at all sir-and no need to apologize for anything. I was just curious as to why you thought “3-in-1” unsuitable and wasn’t thinking (as usual).
Bearings were quite often a “rattling good fit” on many reels then! Some makers claimed it was just “generous clearances” to prevent seizing but I think that you would have to use R220 gear oil to kill the bearing noise on some of them!

It was a bit of a catch-22 really. Making precision ground spindles and bearing bushes of correct tolerance for very high speed running takes much more time=money, so to keep the cost down, they erred on the loose side. Make them too tight for maximum running speed and without the right lubricants, they could seize up seriously big Time..

I think that the Sea Streak was a very good reel for the money and provided that you didn’t expect them to compete with the Abu stable distance-wise, Intrepid reels performed very well on the whole. My old ‘Supreme’ F/S is still giving good service after 63 years in the salt, but does get washed off in clean water afterwards and oiled with 3- in-1!

Some really excellent examples of the Sea Streak posted on here…please keep them coming!

wm+

[Rockape]

Their 'Sea Screech/Scream' reputation doesn't help either, though I think if owners back in the day had oiled the spool bearings regularly (and not with 3 in One oil), this unwelcome trait could have been massively reduced.

I agree that for the most part, reels could have been oiled more than they were-which still applies today in some cases,

but would be interested in why you find "3-in-1" oil to be so unsuitable for reels?

I have used it for many years and except for tournament casting -which very few do- find it perfectly OK for all general fishing reels, both river and sea.

wm+

My apologies to eveyrone on this, I think it is quite suitable for fishing reels in general, but I was thinking that using too thin an oil, may not subdue the bearing noise enough.

I think I should wind my neck in on this one and do a few experiments before extending it again..lol!
Now I do have a really good reason to use these reels in anger (not literally of course).

Much respect to you Watermole (and all)
[/quote]


Not at all sir-and no need to apologize for anything. I was just curious as to why you thought “3-in-1” unsuitable and wasn’t thinking (as usual).
Bearings were quite often a “rattling good fit” on many reels then! Some makers claimed it was just “generous clearances” to prevent seizing but I think that you would have to use R220 gear oil to kill the bearing noise on some of them!

It was a bit of a catch-22 really. Making precision ground spindles and bearing bushes of correct tolerance for very high speed running takes much more time=money, so to keep the cost down, they erred on the loose side. Make them too tight for maximum running speed and without the right lubricants, they could seize up seriously big Time..

I think that the Sea Streak was a very good reel for the money and provided that you didn’t expect them to compete with the Abu stable distance-wise, Intrepid reels performed very well on the whole. My old ‘Supreme’ F/S is still giving good service after 63 years in the salt, but does get washed off in clean water afterwards and oiled with 3- in-1!

Some really excellent examples of the Sea Streak posted on here…please keep them coming!

wm+
[/quote]

I will get them all out for a full group shot over the weekend, and I'll post it here.

I was checking out my ABU 6500 CT Elite (blue) last night, and wondered why Ken Morritt ever thought a deep wide spool was such a good idea for a beach reel, but then that makes it a better boat reel than the ABU I suppose? Or maybe his design inovations demanded it?
The difference in feel and performance is miles apart.

I am really looking forward to blasting a lead over the field with the Sea Streak now.

[Liphook]

I would be very interested in hearing of your field casting experiences with these reels Rockape. They were a little before my time as a sea angler and long before my time as someone with a keen interest in the techniques and practicalities of casting

[Rockape]

I would be very interested in hearing of your field casting experiences with these reels Rockape. They were a little before my time as a sea angler and long before my time as someone with a keen interest in the techniques and practicalities of casting

Absolutely no problem Liphook.
I've been on the lookout for a suitable rod to mount them on.

Around 1975, when I started to learn different casting techniques, I had an 11'6" Vortex beachcaster, ringed for a multiplier, and my new (big A) ABU 7000.
After a few years I put the casting practice to bed until the mid 90's, where I then bought two 6500's and two 7HT's for my Daiwa AWB pendulum rods, so for this experiment, and for nostalgia reasons, I would love to find another Vortex rod (very long cork grip and double nut winch fitting) to mount the Sea Streaks on.

I don't envisage big distances from the outfit (I'm not a 'big hitter' really), due to the risk of breaking a rod not designed to take a full pendulum style cast (which I wont do), but I'll give it a good off the ground attempt, also I don't have the longest thumbs to grip the larger spool.
I will dry the bearings, then ad different viscosities of oil until they are proper greased, and I was thinking of getting the missus to video it all, but please bear with me until I get it all together.
Plus, it has been a few years since I wound up for a big cast.

I really would like to test my (probably erronious) theories on the 'Scream/screech' reputation, and try out the Thumatic cast control mechanisim too, though I don't use brake blocks or magnets in the ABU's.

Watch this space.

[Rockape]

Ok, here are a few more photos I took earlier (getting. Each one of them down below 500kb has degraded the resolution somewhat, but better fhat than nothing.

I would also like to thank eveyone who has contributed to this thread.