Hi.

This is a bit embarrassing but i have a very nice Bass boat. unfortunatly i have not been able to use it very much where i live. To get to a lake that i can get out on and learn the boat and get comfortable with it i have to drive about 8 hours. There is a river close by but even the current from some damned up places are to fast to learn this boat. My previous boat was a13 ft row boat with a 4hp electric and fished on a electric only resivour). this is a 17 ft cresliner with a 50 hp merc. Anyway how do i find a place to stay that i can get the trailer in and keep it on the truck? Also is there any security things i should be aware of? Lastly, how do you handle recharging the deep cycle? I am really a babe in the woods here so any basic logistics on getting there and staying there for a few days would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You-

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Sounds like to have some reading to do and this is a good place to start your research.  The boating article section here has a wide array of information that cold prove helpful. (link below)

As for finding hotels & parking for your boat and trailer, simply call ahead & ask (or check their web site).  Chances are if the place is near a busy / larger lake - fisherman with boats probably make up a good part of the regular customers.

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

Welcome!

 

Does your boat have an onboard charger? If it does, all you do is plug it in to an extension cord and let it charge at the end of the day. If not, you'll need a separate battery charger (I used a Shumacher from Wal-Mart for years). Turn off the power to everything in your boat and/or unhook the battery from the leads and clip the charger on the correct post and plug it in. 

A lot of hotels near lakes will have parking for boats like A-Jay said. You can buy lots of locks and alarm systems to help prevent theft as just leaving it hooked to the boat isn't always enough. Even with a lock over the coupler, I've seen entire hitches removed and boats stolen that way. There really is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent a motivated person from stealing a boat, but locks and alarms help. I always try to park under a light if possible also, in view of my room is great too. Most thieves are going to do their best to stay undetected, so parking under the lights helps to deter them from trying in the first place.

MV, a few housekeeping suggestions.

Please add your location so we can give you better assistance. A guy from California can't be helped by guys in North  Carolina regarding specific topics.

Boat security is a big issue. Here are some suggestions to consider when traveling with your boat:

1.          Purchase a “prop lock” and use it when boat is in storage or at a motel.

2.          Look up the various hotels in towns where bass boats can be launched. Call them to find out if they have recharging stations.

3.          Ask these motels if they give bass fishermen discounts.

4.          Ask these motels if they have private security to guard the bass boats in their parking areas.

5.          You can call a local tackle shop and ask for Bed and Breakfast places or private homes who rent out rooms in the area where you will be launching your boat. Be sure they allow you to plug in your battery charger to their outlets. Try to speak to an adult at the tackle store as young people will probably have no idea what you are asking about.

6.          Always park your boat with other bass boats in a well illuminated area.

7.          Try to park your boat near the front of the motel.

8.          Get a room as close to the boat parking area as possible.

9.          Always lock your compartments.

10.       Always remove all rods and reels plus electronics for the night.

11.       Consider installing a local sounding device if anyone tampers with your storage lockers. If nothing else it will scare the perps away.

12.       Consider using a lock and key to secure the trailer to your boat hitch so no one can unhook it and drive away.

13.       And always remember that it would be fun to shoot the perps if they mess with your boat but please don’t do that. You will be the one who will get into a lot of trouble.

 

Good luck. Let us know what you find out and where you live so we can continue to give you our input.

And MV, try locating the president of a local bass club in the geographical area of your lake/river as they can give you input on where to park your boat at night.

Remember, you are not calling executives at corporations who will return your call in a prompt manner. You are dealing with busy bass fishermen who will return your call when they can gather the time. So call two or three bass club and the FLW and B.A.S.S. Federation in the state you will be fishing.

Check out the "Links" page at the top of the Forum page.

You will also have to do some homework on the computer regarding motels and bed and breakfast establishments.

Tight Lines.

Thanks for all the info. I am an hour from the upper Potomac. There is only two place you can go with a prop. It's way to rocky for anything other than a jet prop. And i don't have that channel in the boat for one. I can also do the Chesapeake and lower potomac below DC. Boat ramps are very scarce and this boat can't handle the open water of the bay. There is one river at the Annapolis Navel Acadamy, No traffic 1 hour. Traffic 4 hours and the Navy cops are not very understanding. I will check out all the sites. I have a 25 amp linear charger and a 8 amp smart charger. BTW i am sure the merc has an alternator. Can that be parrelled with the deep cycle?

Humm. An hour from the upper Potomac. On the Maryland side?

Anchor Boats Marina, 36 Iroquois Dr, North East, MD 21901, is a place you can launch your boat and run up the river into the creek area.

Just check for tournaments as you don't want to be swallowed up by having 50 boats running around on the day you go fishing.

As for the lower Potomac below DC, you can always go to the Willow Marina on the way to Hope Springs on Aquia Creek and head up creek from there. Good fishing in upper Aquia Creek. Look it up by starting at Stafford exit off I-95 and heading to Aquia Creek. It is up creek from Hope Springs.

Depends on  your setup and what Merc you have. Check with a Mercury Certified Mechanic to find out if your motor has an alternator or if it charges the battery in some other way. if the engine has an alternator then it is charging your starting battery when it runs.

If you leave your house early, around 3AM and return late, after 10PM you will eliminate 70% of the traffic on the interstates in your area.

If you will add your home location we can give you much better information. Right now we are shooting in the dark.

 

 

 

 

And there is a marina in Aquia, VA that may let you launch your boat.

If so, you will be in the middle of the upper Aquia Creek area.

Look it up on Google Maps to see where it is.

Try these two locations in addition to Willow Landing Marina.

1415 Washington Dr, Stafford, VA 22554

aquiaharbour.org

(540) 659-4232

 

1415 Washington Dr, Stafford, VA 22554

ahyc.org

(540) 659-6835

WOW THANKS!! Yes MD SIDE dead center of md. The only ones i knew of was sandy point and the severn river. The "mixing bowl " around DC to get on 95 is scarry as hell even with my mazda.  I am also thinking of lake Anna. Deep creek is to crowded.

Frederick Md.