Difference between revisions of "Bee"

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(added model info, history, and fixed boats in use link)
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''History by Andreas Jordahl Rhude''
 
''History by Andreas Jordahl Rhude''
  
Melvin Redeker started at [[Crownline|Crownline Mfg. Co. at Onarga, IL]] after high school graduation in 1956. He worked in the glass department, molding decks. He built the deck mold for their one finned model, based on a Chrysler auto. In late 1958 he and two other co-workers departed and formed Bee Boat Company, which was incorporated in January 1959. Their first shop was at his father's farm in a shed. Then they moved to the other partner's parent's farm north of Piper City, IL. Paxton, IL was their third and final home. Bee was making their own line of glass boats. They also started making boats for [[Sea Sprite]] which was based at North Webster, IN and an Indianapolis firm called [[Jayhawk]].
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Melvin Redeker started at [[Crownline|Crownline Mfg. Co. at Onarga, IL]] after high school graduation in 1956. He worked in the glass department, molding decks. He built the deck mold for their one finned model, based on a Chrysler auto. In late 1958 he and two other co-workers departed and formed Bee Boat Company, which was incorporated in January 1959. Their first shop was at his father's farm in a shed. Then they moved to the other partner's parent's farm north of Piper City, IL. Paxton, IL was their third and final home. Bee was making their own line of glass boats. They also started making boats for [[Sea Sprite]] which was based at North Webster, IN and an Indianapolis firm called [[Jayhawk]].
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They got overworked, so Sea Sprite had some of their molds moved to Monmouth, IL to be built there. In 1968 the owner of Sea Sprite was ready to retire. He sold the firm to Melvin Redeker. Redeker sold out his share in Bee, obtained space in Crescent City, IL, and started making [[Sea Sprite]] boats.  
  
  
 
'''Model Info'''
 
'''Model Info'''
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Beebb001.jpg|1960 and 1962 Bee models
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File:Beebb001.jpg|1960 and 1962 Bee outboard models
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File:Beebb002.jpg|1965 to 1971 Bee outboard models
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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[http://www.fiberglassics.com/site-search-3?ordering=newest&searchword=Bee Bee Boats in Use]
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[http://www.fiberglassics.com/index.php?searchword=Bee+Boat&ordering=newest&searchphrase=exact&limit=20&Itemid=88&option=com_search Bee Boats in Use]
  
  

Revision as of 23:15, 1 November 2012

Beeboatlogo59.jpg Beelogo.jpg


History Needed. Please contact us to contribute to or edit this section.


Bee Boat Company, Inc.

Piper City, Illinois

Relocated to Paxton, IL in Sept '59


History by Andreas Jordahl Rhude

Melvin Redeker started at Crownline Mfg. Co. at Onarga, IL after high school graduation in 1956. He worked in the glass department, molding decks. He built the deck mold for their one finned model, based on a Chrysler auto. In late 1958 he and two other co-workers departed and formed Bee Boat Company, which was incorporated in January 1959. Their first shop was at his father's farm in a shed. Then they moved to the other partner's parent's farm north of Piper City, IL. Paxton, IL was their third and final home. Bee was making their own line of glass boats. They also started making boats for Sea Sprite which was based at North Webster, IN and an Indianapolis firm called Jayhawk.

They got overworked, so Sea Sprite had some of their molds moved to Monmouth, IL to be built there. In 1968 the owner of Sea Sprite was ready to retire. He sold the firm to Melvin Redeker. Redeker sold out his share in Bee, obtained space in Crescent City, IL, and started making Sea Sprite boats.


Model Info


1959 Info


1970 Info


1971 Info


Bee Boats in Use


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