Why is this photo in here? One reason is we remembered that we forgot some photos from the 2006 Bassmaster Classic. The more important reason is that this might be the last boat of its kind, the Rebel Fastback.
The boat is owned by Don McKinney (pictured in the photo are his sons Mike and Don Jr.).
Here's a brief history of this particular boat, which, incidentally, remains in fine operating condition.
> Purchased new by the elder McKinney in 1970 from C.E. Collins and Sons Hardware
in Natchitoches, La.
> Recommended at C.E. Collins by a young guy named Bo – as in Villis "Bo" Dowden, the eventual 15-time Classic qualifier and winner of the 1980 Classic on the St. Lawrence River.
> Sold (for $5,000) in Ft. Smith after McKinney takes a look at the best bass boat you can get: it's a little wider, has locking rod and storage boxes, an integrated livewell, raised casting decks on front and back, and, amazingly, a 90 hp Mercury Mercruiser inboard/outboard motor that was the biggest freshwater motor at that time. It also came with a matching hand-painted trailer. All of that was new at the time.
> Rigged out by Dowden with a MotorGuide trolling motor, anchor reel, rod holders and other items.
> Finally started after Dowden and McKinney cranked two batteries dead and McKinney called George Perrin at Rebel to find out what was "wrong" with the boat. Perrin asked if they lowered the trim on the motor, and McKinney said, "No – what does that have to do with anything?" Perrin explained that the boat had a newfangled thing called a "safety kill switch" and wouldn't run with the motor out of the water.
> Used and babied for decades. Restored in the summer of 2005, and starts and runs just like it did in 1970.
The Rebel Fastback was also the boat model used in the first Bassmaster Classic, held in October 1971. Rumor has it that Bill Norman might have had a hand in the design of the boat. Anyone know for sure?
If the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is ever built, we hope this boat makes it in there.
Thanks to the McKinney family for the information.
