1960 Ouachita Bass Boat

[BassShephard]

After owning 2 old beat up Jon boats I've been wanting something better for a while now, but haven't had the money or haven't seen any that interest me. Right up the road they put this boat up for sale, I thought it was an interesting little boat but never bothered to stop. I got some extra cash so the other day I decided what the heck and went to look at it. It looked like a good boat, I figured it was prob high but turns out they wanted $550 for boat, trailer and a trolling motor which I thought was a fair price. Its a 1960 Ouachita 15 foot, max yield of 1178 Ibs (If my memory is right somewhere in that area) Its a nice little boat imo and I'm surprised at the shape of the boat considering its 51 years old. The interior is the only bad off part of it, in which it just needs new carpet and some reworking of a homemade deck the owner made. Only downside for me is I'm not fond of fiber glass, I'd rather have a v shape bow and the live-well is in the middle of the boat which is a design flaw imo. Was it a good price for this boat and is it a good brand? Never heard of Ouachita boats, also if you come across pics of this kind of boat let me know, all the boats I've seen of this brand has been 70s and had consoles.

I plan to fix this boat up and use it for the lakes in my area, yes finally a boat I can stand in and walk around!

Things I know I'm going to work on:

New carpet, rework the homemade deck cause they did a sloppy job cutting it (least I don't have to make the braces and what not ) and imo the seat needs to be moved back so you can stand in the front...right now if you tried standing in the front you'd trip over the seat and go over board. Going to add some storage compartments, the open sides of the boat I'm going to either make panels to cover them or make small storage compartments to place inside of it. Still thinking of other things I can do with the boat, reel racks, drink holders or what ever

[Way2slow]

In an old boat like that (or any boat), the first thing you want to check is the transome, make sure it's still solid, then walk around on the floor, make sure it's still good. The floor doesn't bother me as much as the transome, many times I've been known to throw a sheet of 16 ga alumunimum down and carpet over it to support the floor.

I bought a new Ouchita almost identical in 1968, but green, and loved it. Both my seat were like the rear seat in yours and no deck like that one. I'm not real sure the boat is going to be that stable when you start using that deck anyway. I had a 35hp merc with stick steering and the thing would scoot on down the lake. When the wide profile, like the current bass boats, came along, those old bomber style boats became a thing of the past. No storage room or room to move around, pretty much sitting down to fish because they are not extremely stable when standing and you can find yourself going for a swim.

If the seats are as good as they look, it's got a nice trailer under it that you could put another boat on and if the transome it good, I think you found a very good deal. From the pics, just the trailer and seats would be worth almost what you paid.

Oh, by the way, I think you will find the reason the livewell is in the middle of the boat, it used to be under, or just in front of the front seat when it was new. Before someone modified the boat and put that deck on it.

[Lund Explorer]

It's a Classic!

Somewhat similar to the first bassboat I ever owned other than it doesn't have a console for the driver. If I remember correctly, that boat was set up for stick steering from the bow seat.

Way2slow brings up the most important point regarding the soundness of the transom. Depending on the size of a gas motor hanging back there, you'll need to make sure it can support the weight and tourque. Soft spots in the flooring and worn carpeting aren't nearly as hard to fix as weak stringers can be.

IMO that raised deck doesn't gain you a thing if you have to sit down up there, as standing on the original deck should put you at the same height. It doesn't look like you'd have room to run a foot controled trolling motor up there either. If I was working on that boat, I would probably remove the deck and fish it like it was designed. Think about how far down you'd have to reach from that tiny deck to lip a bass.

If you really want a deck up there, you might consider bringing it back far enough to provide foot room and a pedastal for a butt seat only.

Post us some pics when it's ready for the water.

[BassShephard]

I've been walking all around in the inside of the boat and it seems solid, didn't really think to check the transom, but I think its also good. I don't plan to put any thing bigger then a 10 HP on it since most lakes in the area are restricted to nothing over that. Y'all bring up some good points, I like the idea of having a deck and it adds storage, I was thinking about extending it 8-10 inches and moving the seat back 18 inches or more, which would give me more room. I hadn't contemplated retrieving the bass but I plan to take it out on my friends pond first to get a good idea of how the boat performs before modifying and putting it in a lake. This boat I think you could rig up a console/steering on it (if you knew what you where doing). I'll defiantly show pics of my progress, hopefully over the winter I'll have time/money to work on it.

[Redlinerobert]

Awesome little boat. With a little TLC that thing will be a fishing machine. Congrats!

[Way2slow]

You have to be carefull about how far back you go. Getting very close to the back seat makes it dangerous for the unlucky soul sitting back there. You gotta realize when you start slinging a 7' rod, forget and make a cast toward the front of the boat, the guy in the back is going to get nailed big time. I know, you will always remember to cast to the sides, but guess what, you WILL forget.

[Lund Explorer]

I'm not sure you need a console for a 10hp as it would be just as easy (and cheaper) to use a tiller model.

The only other thing you may want to check on would be your state's laws regarding motoring down the lake with someone sitting above the height of the sidewalls of the boat. Up here, running at anything faster than a no wake speed earns you an automatic ticket.

Regardless of that, it looks like you've got a nice project for this winter.

[sailalfin]

I saw your post on the Ouachita Bass boat. I was Exec. V-Pres. of the company from 1972 till 1974. I think your boat was newer than 1960, did you get the year from its registration? I ran the company during years of change in models, manufacturing processes, etc. Would like to establish communications with you. Fond memories of those days. Have you ever seen a Purple Ouachita boat?

My e-mail: sailalfin@aol.com