Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn - Vintage => Topic started by: sdlehr on April 07, 2016, 02:38:49 AM

Title: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on April 07, 2016, 02:38:49 AM
Post questions about this reel in this thread
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on April 09, 2016, 10:06:02 PM
Hi Everyone
Can anyone tell me approximately what year this 85M SEABOY was made?(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/P1030960_zpsa9m3ydmp.jpg)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/P1030936_zpslrrzff2m.jpg)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/P1030934_zpsndfzbivz.jpg)(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/P1030745_zps0b8pquba.jpg)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/85%20M%20BOX_zpsiivwzmcw.jpg)
Not sure if it came with box originally, but the catalogue was 32B
Thanks
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 01:12:40 AM
Looking at style of spool I was thinking 60's/70's, but that was prior to seeing the box. If the box is true to this exact reel, then my hunch was correct.

Notice the "32" postal code instead of 5 digit "zip" code. 1963 is when zip codes came about, but that doesn't mean this is a pre-1963 reel. This reel is in the new style box that came around in late 50's and Penn made millions of these type of boxes with postal codes that were still in use by penn till the late 60's and some cases early 70's. Eventually they ran out of the old stock of postal code boxes and the new run would have the 5 digit zip code.

  BTW, very nice reel
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 02:38:31 AM
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 01:12:40 AM
BTW, very nice reel
x2

Ted, please help me here. There are no numbers on the bushings. That doesn't fit with 60's or 70's. What am I missing? No numbers suggests pre-'50. Spool and box suggest 60's-70's(?). How can we make this make sense? Oh, BTW, thanks for being here!

Sid
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on April 10, 2016, 06:24:54 AM
Thanks for your replies guys. I`m learning all the time.
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 04:49:38 PM
Quote from: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 02:38:31 AM
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 01:12:40 AM
BTW, very nice reel
x2

Ted, please help me here. There are no numbers on the bushings. That doesn't fit with 60's or 70's. What am I missing? No numbers suggests pre-'50. Spool and box suggest 60's-70's(?). How can we make this make sense? Oh, BTW, thanks for being here!

Sid

Sid, the Delmar and seaboy were Penns "affordable" reels and the bushing did not have an oiler or a part number. It kept the manufacturing costs down for those inexpensive models. This type of 3 piece spool also had no part number stamped on it, the same as Penns stainless spools.

  Ted
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 06:51:14 PM
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 04:49:38 PM
Sid, the Delmar and seaboy were Penns "affordable" reels and the bushing did not have an oiler or a part number. It kept the manufacturing costs down for those inexpensive models. This type of 3 piece spool also had no part number stamped on it, the same as Penns stainless spools.

  Ted
I knew that somehow you would have an explanation that made sense. Thanks.

Sid
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on April 10, 2016, 08:48:07 PM
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 04:49:38 PM
Quote from: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 02:38:31 AM
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 10, 2016, 01:12:40 AM
BTW, very nice reel
x2

Ted, please help me here. There are no numbers on the bushings. That doesn't fit with 60's or 70's. What am I missing? No numbers suggests pre-'50. Spool and box suggest 60's-70's(?). How can we make this make sense? Oh, BTW, thanks for being here!

Sid

Sid, the Delmar and seaboy were Penns "affordable" reels and the bushing did not have an oiler or a part number. It kept the manufacturing costs down for those inexpensive models. This type of 3 piece spool also had no part number stamped on it, the same as Penns stainless spools.

  Ted

Hi Ted
Is the 285 Delmar an exception to that rule, as mine has numbers and an oiler on the tail plate bushing and just the oiler on the main plate?
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 11:20:15 PM
Hey Basto, my 285 Delmar has everything numbered except the tail plate bushing...
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 11:33:49 PM
Here's the 285 on the left and the 85 on the right. Mike addresses the 85 and 285 in his book. These reels were Penn's cheaper versions of the Long Beach 60.... no trim rings, no frills, but the same mechanics that go all the way back to the Penn Model K with star drag; the reel that Penn first built their reputation on. Basically the handle and handle hardware are what separates these reels; the 85 was the less expensive model with a slotted screw that held the old, wooden bell-shaped knob. The 285 had the scalloped handle nut and locking screw.
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on April 10, 2016, 11:37:59 PM
Thanks Sid. I like the stippling on the plate of your 85.
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on April 11, 2016, 12:59:09 AM
Quote from: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 11:20:15 PM
Hey Basto, my 285 Delmar has everything numbered except the tail plate bushing...
I just noticed that my 85 has an oil port on the handle side bushing; I guess it's not original...?? ?

Sid
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: mo65 on July 21, 2016, 02:19:48 PM
Here's an 85 I picked up for my brother to be a display piece on one of his den shelves. Not sure of the year, but it has the old nickel plating rather than chrome. All I did was wash the dust off, and it cleaned up so well we nearly lost that "genuine character" Mike is so fond of. Actually...the outdoor pics made it a little shinier than it really is...but made the colors pop nicely.  8)

*Sid, this reel has a handle side bushing oil port too.


Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: sdlehr on July 21, 2016, 08:11:35 PM
That cleaned up really nicely, Mo!

Sid
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on July 21, 2016, 10:50:03 PM
That is a beautiful reel.
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: USN_ED on September 25, 2016, 04:54:03 PM
Quote from: sdlehr on April 11, 2016, 12:59:09 AM
Quote from: sdlehr on April 10, 2016, 11:20:15 PM
Hey Basto, my 285 Delmar has everything numbered except the tail plate bushing...
I just noticed that my 85 has an oil port on the handle side bushing; I guess it's not original...?? ?

Sid

My 85 Seaboy not only has an oil port on the handle side bushing, it has a "GREASE" port on the handle side side plate.  Sorry it's not real clear but you can see it at the end of the crooked, red, arrow.  You can even make out the word "GREASE" above it.  Photography is not my forte.

(http://i.imgur.com/6NhKliP.jpg)

I have no clue how old this reel is what with the grease port and oil port on the handle side and stippling on both the head plate and tail plate.  There is no oil port on the bushing on the tail plate side.

It's an all original reel - plastic spool and all.  I'm thinking of putting a 29L-85 aluminum spool in it if Scott's will let me have one.

Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: Penn Chronology on October 02, 2016, 02:20:15 AM
QuoteCan anyone tell me approximately what year this 85M SEABOY was made?

Hello Basto,

Interesting question, especially with the pictures of the reel and box. First I want to say that the Penn 85M model was not made after 1966, or at least no longer mentioned in the catalogs after 1966. Making your metal reel no later than 1966; but, there is a tell on the box. If you look at the address on the box label it shows a Zone code rather than a Zip code. Which means the box is a 1962 or older box. Zip codes started in 1963 and Penn did change their box addresses to Zip codes.

To me the reel looks newer than the box as that style chrome plated spool is a product of the late 1970's; but, according to the catalogs, the Sea Boy was not offered with a metal spool in the late 1970's. So this reel may be altered.

I believe the reel and the box went to different schools together........................... ::)

I believe you said that there is a catalog also and that catalog is a 32B, which is a 1969 catalog. All the paperwork does here is to further confuse an already confusing situation. ??? ???
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on October 02, 2016, 02:53:57 AM
Hi Michael
Reminds me of one of those "lucky dip" bags from sideshow alley when I was a kid. Thanks for your reply.
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: basto on October 20, 2016, 12:17:11 AM
Here are some pics of another 85 I have. I have a lot of respect for these 85 reels.
First pic is the before cleanup pic.

(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/85%20old%201_zpsbtf7z1uu.jpg)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/early%2085%20tail_zps5urffey5.jpg)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/george8322/mod%2085%20stand_zpsf7nmbneu.jpg)

With regard to the photo of the modified stand foot, I have seen this modification before. There must have been a rod that had a projection post or bolt that required this mod. 
I think this reel is all original, but then I never know for sure.
cheers
Basto
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: ReelFishingProblems on January 09, 2017, 01:22:05 AM
I got an old 85 from my mother-in-law's house, it has a small wooden handle and almost completely corroded on all chrome covered brass parts. One thing that confused me was the main gear and pinion that look like stainless steel. What were the original gears made of on these? I can't imagine anyone put an upgraded gear set in just to let it rot in a coffee shack garage.

Nick
Title: Re: 85 Seaboy
Post by: RowdyW on January 09, 2017, 02:36:09 AM
The main gear is heat treated steel & the pinion could also be heat treated steel or stainless. More then likely they are the original parts.     Rudy