Restoring/Converting a 1994 Bumble Bee bass boat to a Center Console

[Faustus]

Hi Everyone,

I was able to pick up a badly mistreated 18foot bass boat for a pretty good price. I can't wait to breathe new life into her and get her on the water. I have the first baby steps started

I would appreciate any thoughts or concerns. I have never actually owned a boat before or worked with fiberglass, so any tips you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Faustus

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would enjoy your boat then sell it to buy what you want before ever considering the work to convert it to anything other than what it is.

 

[GSPLures]

Got any pictures. It usually is cheaper and safer to buy what you want than to convert something that wasn't designed for it. Anything is possible though.

 

[Faustus]

Got any pictures. It usually is cheaper and safer to buy what you want than to convert something that wasn't designed for it. Anything is possible though.

I picked it up for $700. The stringers and transom are shot so they need to be redone. I'm pretty sure that I will be able to do all the restoration and still be a lot cheaper than buying a decent used boat.

Here are some pics:

 

[todhunter]

The restoration will likely be more expensive than any comparable used boat, however any used boat you find is likely to have similar issues with rotting wooden structure. All that to say, don't do the restoration to save money - do the restoration for love of the work involved and for the pride of having a boat you built, knowing that it's done right.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I picked it up for $700. The stringers and transom are shot so they need to be redone. I'm pretty sure that I will be able to do all the restoration and still be a lot cheaper than buying a decent used boat.

Here are some pics:

expect to dump $3500 into the hull and about $2500 into the interior and about $1000 in misc.

 

[Faustus]

The restoration will likely be more expensive than any comparable used boat, however any used boat you find is likely to have similar issues with rotting wooden structure. All that to say, don't do the restoration to save money - do the restoration for love of the work involved and for the pride of having a boat you built, knowing that it's done right.

That is the plan. I love having a project! Thanks!

 

[Faustus]

expect to dump $3500 into the hull and about $2500 into the interior and about $1000 in misc.

Thanks for the estimates. I really had no idea. At least it will be new when I am done.

 

[Faustus]

I was watching a video about a boat company in Ft Myers, FL (LatitudeBoats) and they were using Polyisocyanurate foam (Roofing Foam) for the stringers. Is that strong enough with enough layers of 1708 glassed over it? Does anyone have experience with that?

 

[GSPLures]

If you put enough glass down whatever is on the inside is a mold and the glass is the structural part. I believe it is a 1/4" of glass but someone with more knowledge in that area would be able to confirm if that is correct.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Talk to a naval architect, or build it like it was

 

[Faustus]

Thanks guys!