what would you do?

[kfxguy]

I just got into boating here recently. My collection is growing fast lol. I need some opinions on something. My local hobby shop has a proboat budweiser nitro hydro brand new they are holding for me. I love this style hydro, ever since I was a kid I wanted one like this. I lucked out and a guy came in the other day and sold it to the hobby shop and I told them to hold it for me. Anyway. Its discontinued and maybe later on it may have some value if I leave as is. In a way I want to, but in a way I really want to enjoy it. I wont enjoy it in its current nitro state (hate nitro) so shoukd I convert it to electric and enjoy it? Or shoukd I just put it on my shelf and leave it alone? Or maybe drive it a time or two and leave it alone?

Heres the boat if you havent seen one.

http://www.proboatmodels.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB2200

[SloHD]

That's all up to you. A lot of us have converted this hull, including myself with a miss elam. They're great scale looking hulls but they're like sponges. It's hard to keep the water out of these hulls. It's a great project conversion for a newbie. But I would still look at other hulls if I was you.

Here is a link to heaving earths conversion thread. I posted up some of my work in it as well.
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...lam-conversion

[madmikepags]

if it's not brand new, unused and in the original box it wont be worth anything in the future, convert it and enjoy it!!!!

[kfxguy]

if it's not brand new, unused and in the original box it wont be worth anything in the future, convert it and enjoy it!!!!

Been unpacked and assembled but never been run. So should I convert it then? Is it worth $250?

[ENCORE MAN]

There are many great boats for sale here and elsewhere for $250. Ready to run, no work for you and will provide many hours of enjoyment and none of the heartache converting an older, somewhat outdated hull. Listen to the advise from Mike and find another boat. Goodluck. BG

[madmikepags]

most hobby stuff is not collectable, except older Tamiya stuff and groundbreaking kits like Yokomo's first 4WD world champion car or an Original RC10 or MRP's First Miss Budweiser boat. I would just convert it, in my opinion it wont be worth more than it's original price.

[SloHD]

I paid $150 for my elam hull and it was brand new never used. You can find the Budweiser hull online all day long.

[kfxguy]

I paid $150 for my elam hull and it was brand new never used. You can find the Budweiser hull online all day long.

I looked. The only elam hull I found was almost 500 bucks shipped. If you can find me one cheap like you say, id appreciate it and buy it right now. Undamaged that is. I dont want to do any paint work. Let me know what you find. Thx

[gsbuickman]

Heya kfx, if it were me & the price tag on the bud was $250, I would pass on it, as others have suggested. I appreciate the vintage coolness of it, but not at a way overinflated price. I've had a dozen of these come and go, & I agree there's no collector value in them. I think the .15 motors are junk to begin with & their impossible to keep the water out of them. I have also converted them with the miss Elam hardware & drive systems with great success. These days I wouldn't pay more than $120 for the bud in its nitro form. I would also advise finding a better deal on a hull. How about the UL-1 Superior hydro ?.....

[kfxguy]

Heya kfx, if it were me & the price tag on the bud was $250, I would pass on it, as others have suggested. I appreciate the vintage coolness of it, but not at a way overinflated price. I've had a dozen of these come and go, & I agree there's no collector value in them. I think the .15 motors are junk to begin with & their impossible to keep the water out of them. I have also converted them with the miss Elam hardware & drive systems with great success. These days I wouldn't pay more than $120 for the bud in its nitro form. I would also advise finding a better deal on a hull. How about the UL-1 Superior hydro ?.....

I agree, I just really fell in love with the looks. Im just gonna pass on it.