1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

[krrice01]

Hey everyone i am restoring a 1974 bumble bee and all stringers and transom are rotton,this is my first boat restoration so any tips are appriciated here are some before pics

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Welcome to iBoats!

Strip everything out of her, remove the motor, remove the rubrail, remove the topcap,and let the destruction begin.
I have included some drawings on how I recommend fabricating Stringers, Transom and Deck using Ext. Grade FIR plywood or Marine Grade. I also recommend using Polyester Resin, 1.5oz Chopped Strand Mat and either 24oz Woven Roving or 1708 Biaxial Cloth. A good online source for your supplies is www.uscomposites.com 10 gallons of resin 15 yards of CSM and 10 yards of WR or 1708 1 gallon of Cabosil, 1 qt of chopped fibers (for making thickened resin for filleting and gluing) is a good start. PL Premium Construction adhesive for Bedding your stringers.

Safety Equipment - Tyvek Suit, GOOD Respirator(full face preferred)(not dust masks), Goggles if NOT full faced, Latex and Leather Gloves, Talcum Powder(keeps the itching down)

Destruction Equipment - Circular Saw, 4 1/2" Grinder with Backup Pad and 36 grit sanding Discs, Pry Bars, chisels, hammers, Random Orbit Sander

I'm sure there's more.

Keep posting pics and questions and we'll be here to help you all along the way.

Welcome Aboard!!!!

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

thanks woodonglass for all the great info and quick response i will post more pics when i cut floor out probably later this evening

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

OOPS forgot the drawings....

(Click the pics to enlarge)

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

How much $$ did you pay for her? Bumble Bee are great boats, unfortunately the bad economy got them like many others, but anyway...you're looking at a 37 year old boat, that you're going to sink a ton of time and a good $1,500.00 + into. There are a ton of later model bass boats out there for around for great prices....with 150 HP and up.

We're here to help you in anyway we can, I just want to make sure you are making the best decision for a bass boat here. (bass boats are my speciality).

CW

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

CW, makes some valid points and he IS the BASS BOAT guru here on the Forum. You will be sinking time, effort and Dollars into an old boat, BUT when done you will KNOW it is solid and reliable. Your decision. Not an easy one to make sometimes.

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

I gave 450.00 for the boat, motor and trailer.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Well at $450.00 you're not hurt....but still a tough decision in my book. Bass boat designs have improved sooooo much over the years, I'd have a hard time sinking much into that one. But only you can make that decision. If you like the boat (really well) then go for it and we'll help you in anyway we can. You won't run into anything that can't be solved here.

Good Luck to you.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

How will you be using the boat? Just pleasure fishing with the family and friends? Any sentimental value? Did you used to own one like her? Do you know if the Motor is in good shape? How about the Trailer?

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

I like the layout of the boat.I will be using the boat for fishing local lakes with my four children.I want it to be structurly sound, as far as the engine it runs but have not tested it on the water.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Sounds like the restore is a go to me, you've made up your mind and that's just fine.

Post away with questions, we're here to help. Grap up all your safety gear and tools and let the dust fly.

Good luck.....

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

I have been working on the boat got top and most of the floor out. Just as I thought all of the plywood , stringers are rotten. Their are some old patches in the hull that were poorly done. I know I will have to grind them out, should I go over the intire floor of the hull with 1708 biax after I clean it all the way out? Here are some pics of my progress.

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h381/krrice/100_1809.jpg

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h381/krrice/100_1827.jpg

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h381/krrice/100_1833.jpg

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Don't think there's a need to do the entire hull with 1708 but if they are done poorly you can re-do them. We'll help you with that.

Hint: With photobucket use the IMG link to post your pics in iBoats. Like this...

(click the pic to enlarge)

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

By the time you get all the new stringers in you'll have half the hull reglassed anyway.

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Thanks guys,I have a question about polyester resin. I have a friend who work for a aircraft suplier and the sell polyester resin.He can get it for me at his dicount price is there different types of polyester resin?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Yes there are many types of polyester resins out there. Not familiar with aircraft, but I'd be willing to bet it will be more than sufficient for your boat. Ondarvr has stated here many times, that we too often get all bent out of shape over the specific resin used and it really not a hugh deal. Most any layup resin will be more than strong enough for your boat repairs. Freshness of the resin is the real key...as it has a short shelf life.

Oh and by the way....Ondarvr has forgotten more about resin than most of here ever knew.

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Got some time to work on the boat.Removed the livewell and storage.This weekend I plan on cutting out the transom, leaving the outter hull intack.Maybe get some grinding done also.Here are some pics of my progress.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Great Progress!! Make some marks on the sides of the hull so you'll know where the deck height was.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Keep it up, you're getting there

 

[krrice01]

Re: 1974 Bumble Bee Restoration

Have not posted in a while, been busy with other things. Took the family camping this weekend to Juliette had a good time although we didn't catch any fish except for a few bream. the kids had a good time swimming, the water is real clear there. Well back to the Bumble Bee. I thought since I was down to the shell of the boat and now it is lighter I would build some aframes to lift the boat so i could repair the trailer. Now I am wondering should I go ahead and touch up the bottom of the boat and paint it. I was originally going to fix the structure of the boat and clean and wax the original paint to save money but it will be a lot easier to work on the bottom now instead of later. What do you think? Here are some pics. I still have to put some cross braces at the top.