would you restore this bumble bee

[88evinrude]

 i have been offered a 87 254 bee for cheap with that in mind would you try and restore it or part it out. heres the pros for this boat: floor is solid. the hull looks to be in good shape. the trailer even though its not the right size is in good shape.all the accessories appear to work. the outboard runs just needs a good tune up and carb rebuild. now for the cons: the transom is week. the gelcoat is faded but could possibly be brought back. the front deck needs work.carpet will need replacement. i understand that a restore could get expensive.the boat looks like it would be fairly straight forward to take apart.the i think it would be a good one for a pour in transom. im looking for your opinions good or bad

[attachment outdated - deleted by admin]

[88evinrude]

just some more pics

[attachment outdated - deleted by admin]

[Lee Smith]

If you have the time and the patience, it can be rewarding.  I worry about the transom, that can turn into a nightmare real fast.  If it's week, you will have to remove and build a new one, which takes fiberglass work, that I'm just not good at 

[Mike Cork]

I've heard, read, and seen one of the pour in transom jobs and it turned out well. Now I don't know how it would hold up to the occasional bang off a stump we do a lot of here in my neck of the woods. But if you have good clean stump free lakes, it could be worth a shot. Definitely a lot cheaper than the glass rebuild. But I'm sure it's not as strong either. That would be your call.

Fading can be buffed. Be careful that it's not so bad that you have to buff so deep that you start hitting flake if it has it. There is a new product about to hit the market that is nothing short of amazing. It can bring back your gel coat without removing it. I might be able to get you some if you were willing to do a before and after for them? That's a might...

Carpet? Time and patients is your friend, that and spending the money on a quality grade.

The big question is what are you going to do with it? If resale, then you'll have to weigh all the cost with what it will be worth. If to keep, then all the work will make you proud everytime you launch 

[Pferox]

Restoring a boat is like restoring a car.  If you like the model, AND you have the time cash and dedication, it is a great project.  Otherwise, I would pass.

On the transom side, that can be a challenge.  If I had to replace one, I would do a complete cut out, and back it with an aluminium frame.  Just because I don't totally feel right about transom rebuilds.  I have often wondered about the pour in stuff, if you do use it, can you let us know how it works?

Whichever way you choose, good luck.

[88evinrude]

thanks for the replies yall im thinking im going to buy it i can get the whole shooting match for under 600 so at least i could sell the engine and make my money back id its to far gone. i do plan to keep the boat if i rebuild it and as far as the transom i do have a little bit of glassing experience and im also liking the idea of a coosa board transom if i dont use the pour in

[zamguy]

Whatever you choose to restore that transom, make sure the materials reach to AND adhere to the stringers.  Good Luck!

[Bud Kennedy]

My personal opinion is that heck no I would not do it.  Just too much money for no return.  Even when you are finished and it may look great it will still be an old boat with very limited value.  I would understand if most of the renovation was cosmetic or accessory related but structural items just imply that there is not enough reward for the risk.

[hughesjasonk]

thanks for the replies yall im thinking im going to buy it i can get the whole shooting match for under 600 so at least i could sell the engine and make my money back id its to far gone. i do plan to keep the boat if i rebuild it and as far as the transom i do have a little bit of glassing experience and im also liking the idea of a coosa board transom if i dont use the pour in

I would try for less

[Pferox]

But Bud, it isn't the return on investment, it is the fact that you can say I re-made this boat and see how she floats.  Kind of like when you make your own lures and things like that.

We built a couple of canoes from scratch when I was a Boy Scout, there wasn't a finer feeling than to be on the water with something you built, especially since it actually floated.   

[88evinrude]

well i did buy the boat i got for alot less than what they were asking thats the main reason why i did the deal if nothing else i can make my money and a bit more by selling the motor

[zamguy]

Go for it......and GOOD LUCK!  We want pictures when you are done.

[88evinrude]

im planning on making a restoration thread here soon