Difference between revisions of "Bee"
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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. | + | 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]]. |
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. | 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. | ||
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'''Model Info''' | '''Model Info''' | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | File:Beebb001.jpg|1960 and 1962 Bee outboard models | + | File:Beebb003.jpg|1959 Bee outboard boat models |
| − | File:Beebb002.jpg|1965 to 1971 Bee outboard models | + | File:Beebb001.jpg|1960 and 1962 Bee outboard boat models |
| + | File:Beebb002.jpg|1965 to 1971 Bee outboard boat models | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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'''1959 Info''' | '''1959 Info''' | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | File: | + | File:BHBPHOTO41.JPG | Bee Model 135 Runabout [[Mercury|Mercury Mark 35AE]] test |
| − | File: | + | File:BHBPHOTO33.JPG | Bee Model 152 Ski Boat [[Mercury|Mercury Mark 58AE]] test |
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Revision as of 14:10, 28 January 2014
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 Bee outboard boat models
1960 and 1962 Bee outboard boat models
1965 to 1971 Bee outboard boat models
1959 Info
Bee Model 135 Runabout Mercury Mark 35AE test
Bee Model 152 Ski Boat Mercury Mark 58AE test
1970 Info
1970 Bee Craft Price List
1971 Info
1971 Bee Craft Brochure, Pg 1
1971 Bee Craft Brochure, Pg 2
1971 Bee Craft Brochure, Pg 3
1971 Bee Craft Brochure, Pg 4
1971 Bee Craft Price List
