1977 OUACHITA 16'- First build...it begins

[mo_bio]

Been on here for a bit soaking up all of the good info you guys have put out there. I started my rebuild last weekend. Outside first. I will post pics as I get brave enough to do things. The story on the boat is it started life out on the Current river here in MO. The guy I bought it from used to come up and fish with his dad from texas. He found the boat on one of those trips and hualed it back to TX and there it was used on the lakes around DFW for 15 years. My bro-in-law works with the guy and saw it for sale at a great price and called me knowing I was looking. I bought it and he hauled it all the way back to SE MO where it will again be on the Current and Black rivers. Here is where I started from.

 

[mo_bio]

Last weekend was steelflex. Took all the paint off down to bare metal, cleaned and put 3 coats on. I put the 1st on too thick and was a little worried i had messed up. After two thin coats it settled out nicely. It helped to let each coat get tacky before the next went on.

Taped her off and started the paint process. Went online and printed stencils on bigger paper. Cut them out on glossy poster board and went to work.

Bare boat with base color. I used rustoleum metal door paint in herb garden for the base. Sprayed it on with the air gun HVLP

Steelflex taped off and emblem taped

Background colors with treebark

3 differnt stencils on the camo job. Not happy with the first grass so I went back and blended each layer a little. Rustoleum camo cans.

 

[tnriverluver]

Really wish I hadn't seen this post cause now it's giving me ideas LOL! Very nice paint job. What stencils did you use and where did you purchase them? Also where is everyone buying these camo paints? I have looked locally and nodda, guessing online only.

 

[mo_bio]

I used this one for the background, just printed bigger (11x14)

https://www.outdoorwriter.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/oakbark.jpg

used this for the ducks

https://images.craigslist.org/5I85N45Hd3M23Le3H8c5o09cc28a65d7212fb.jpg

Used this for cattail

https://www.spraypaintstencils.com/a-zlistings/cattails-grass-stencil.gif

Used this for wide grass

https://www.camostencil.com/AmbushGrass1__2_.jpg

I got my background paint at Maynards but you can get it anywhere. It is rustoleum oil based door paint. herb garden is pretty close to johnboat green. What I used for the stencils was rustoeum flat camo paint that you can pick up from Wallyworld, HD, lowes..

 

[fool4fish1226]

Nice start - great work on the camo =D>

 

[mo_bio]

So I had a long weekend and got more done than I expected. Painted the inside, got floor and middle bench and front deck built. We put carpet over mostg of it today but ran out of glue. The back bench and the rest of the carpet will have to wait until next weekend.

Middle bunk carpeted.

Rear deck cut and placed.

Front deck framed

Front deck going in and floor between middle seat and front deck carpeted.

Where we stgopped for the night.

I'm going to work tomorrow so I can rest

 

[fool4fish1226]

The decking turned out real nice =D>

 

[BLKLAB]

That look's great! Mo-Bio, I sent you a PM.

 

[DuckSmackinDuraCraft]

Gosh that looks great. My project will be very similar. What did you pay for the steelflex if you don't mind me asking. You did a great job on the camo. I can't wait till the fun stuff to start on my project. I'll be following yours closely.

 

[mo_bio]

Gosh that looks great. My project will be very similar. What did you pay for the steelflex if you don't mind me asking. You did a great job on the camo. I can't wait till the fun stuff to start on my project. I'll be following yours closely.

Thanks. I think I paid $68 with shipping for 1 gallon and the green tint. I put on 3 coats and still have about 1/4-1/3 left.

 

[mo_bio]

Started the rear bench today and got it framed out. I will deck and carpet it tomorrow. I have all the wires ran and half of the lights installed. Getting close enough now to see the end. May have to buy another boat and start all over :wink:

 

[tnriverluver]

Very nice work! Just wondering if your rear seat is going to be to far forward to comfortably reach your tiller handle?

 

[mo_bio]

Been a little while since I updated my project. All of the interior is finished except for putting 2 pulls on the back lids. I am pretty happy with how it has turned out so far. All of my lights are in and wired up. It looks awesome in the dark. I can't wait to get my girls out jug fishing in this thing.

Finished rear seat/deck. I have two options for tiller reaching. I have an extension for it but I plan on setting in the back of one of the sides of the "U"

Paint and carpet turned out well

Trailer is getting the same camo treatment

 

[hollywooddippa]

Dang that's nice!! Ya got some tallent there mister!!!

 

[flatbottomsrule]

Very nice!!!!!!1 =D>

 

[mo_bio]

First trip out today and it was great. She road and drove well. Engine is strong and I had a few complements at the lake. Still have to get the seats in and next will be to make my blind for it.

 

[inlovewithsurfin]

and the award to my new favorite looking boat/trailer goes to.... YOU!!!!! this is soo beautiful! lol... i am definately going to have to make my boat look similar! thank you for such a great job!