Hey ya’ll,
New member here, although I’ve been lurking for several months. I’ve sought out several online boat forums since I got my new (to me) tin boat last October and this place is definitely the best!
I’m a native Arizonian (yes, we do exist, and no, we don’t ever get
used to the heat…in the summer we just learn to run from the air-conditioned house, to the air-conditioned car, to the air-conditioned workplace, store, etc., and back again).
I’m an out-of-work environmental biologist/consultant who’s been moonlighting as an adjunct science professor (biology, chemistry, geology, etc.) to keep food on the table, the lights on in the house, and the tackle box stocked with lures.
I predominantly fish for trout, as do all of my fishin’ buddies, but I hope to be able to learn more about bass and catfish angling in hopes to spend more quality time with my son out on the water. I’d like to venture into fly fishing, but that’s probably a little down the road given I’d have to spend some $$$ on the appropriate gear.
Last October I got my first rig, a 1970 Ouachita 12’ v-hull, by trading the owner two older Honda quads for the boat/trailer/motor. There’s a long heartfelt story behind the ‘necessity’ to have my own boat, and I’m glad that I have something to call my own, rather than continue to borrow family member’s rigs when the weather called for camping and fishing adventures. The boat was restored 10 years ago by the owner’s two sons, but their father died shortly after the restoration and the craft has been dry-docked in a barn ever since. She’s old, but solid and clean. I’ve tried to research Ouachita online with limited luck, and I’d welcome anyone with knowledge of the company or models which were available at the time.
The trade included a 1965 5hp Evinrude Fisherman (also restored and clean as a whistle) but I haven’t had the time to play with it, the chance to get a manual, or posses the innate
marine mechanical knowledge to freshen it up after it’s been sitting so long (I’d be willing to supply the beer :beer: if a local tinboater would be willing to share some knowhow – I’m a fast learner and mechanical tinkerer). I’ve been borrowing a 50lb Minn Kota that belongs to a fishin’ buddy of mine, and that does the trick on the local “urban” lake that I frequent and the mountain lakes that I prefer (all but one of the three mountain lakes ONLY allow electric motors). Getting the ‘rude runnin’ would expand my local fishing possibilities and really add to the family fun, so it’s on my list if I can do it
myself as the $500 quote I got to freshen it up was a jaw-dropper and sounded like a new boater rip off (needless to say I don’t do business at that shop any more).
I don’t have a lot of mods planned, but I’m in the process of changing the existing (broken) battery-operated navigation lights to 12V wired ones (see thread:
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13952, I could use some advice), need to put new spindles/hubs on the 1963 homebuilt trailer (right now, with the original wheels, the entire wheel assembly needs to be changed in the event of a flat tire…would definitely put a damper on a weekend camping/fishing trip), and have been toying with the idea of building a fixed cushion for the bow seat (at the little one’s request). The boat has a small leak, taking on about 1-2 cups of water per hour (no big deal really), that I’ll address next season, and $$$ permitting [-o< , I’ll put up a Bimini shade next year to keep that ever-present Arizona sun off my bald noggin :shock: . I’d like new (padded) folding seats too, but the ones I have work just fine and I have more important things to address first.
Anyway, glad to be here, glad that ya’ll are a friendly bunch, and hope that we can forge some good friendships along the way. Best-o-luck everyone.