TDK wrote:
I've been out on all three reservoirs at Quantico, but the best fishing has been in Quantico Creek. We launch from the public ramp on Hospital Point. It's tricky to find, but a great spot to go back into the creek or out onto the main river.
I like the look of the wall hangers for the kayak. I'd be a little concerned about the "100 lbs. per boat" weight limit. I'm not sure whether they meant the two brackets together can handle a 100 lbs. boat or if each bracket is able to handle 100 lbs. They look pretty sturdy, so it might be that they meant the capacity of each unit is 100 lbs., so you could hang up to 200 lbs. evenly distributed. I would call and double check the capacity. If they only handle 100 lbs. (50 lbs. per bracket), then I wouldn't be comfortable hanging my boat on that rig. Even with the seat and mirage drive removed, I'm guessing it's still over 100 lbs. The Hobie site says the hull weight is 88 lbs., but I'm not sure what you have to remove to get to that weight. You might ask the folks at BYBs. If you can take off the seat, mirage drive, front hatch liner, center gear bucket, paddle, and anything else easily removable, maybe you can get the weight under the 100 lbs. I store my boat upside down on a lift in my garage, so I remove most everything. Hobie strongly suggests storing upside down, on the side or using some kind of strap mechanism (1 inch strap width minimum) to prevent hull distortion during storage.
For me, the key to storage is to make it easy to load up and get on the water. If it's too much hassle, I'm less likely to have the time and put up the effort to get out on the water often. My setup makes loading the boat easy (20 minutes) and the rack system for transporting on the top of my vehicle, while pricey, makes getting to the water a breeze. I fished more last summer than I have since I was a kid and I expect to do even more this year. I have a few posts on here that show my storage and car rack setups.
I hope to see you on the water this year. We'll be at Quantico and Occoquan often. I hope to visit Aquia and the Rappahannock out of Fredericksburg this year, too. Enjoy!
TDK
I just got back from BYB and put a deposit down on the PA. Can't wait! My buddy is getting the Outfitter Tandem so you will probably see us out there. I don't know where Hospital point is, is it on the Base?
That is a very good point on the weight limit I was assuming that it meant 100lbs each but it does not say that. I'm not sold on them I was just trying to get an idea if that style of support would work.
I hope we do see you and your brother out there. Have you ever fished the Shad run in the Occoquan river. I'm a Bass man but they are a lot of fun.
The Rappahannock is one that I want to fish as well. Especially above Fredericksburg where the Smallies live. I will fish my normal waters that I have with my aluminum boat; Shenandoah, Upper Potomac, The James with the PA.
Thanks for the advice and Good Fishing to you and I hope to see you out there.
Bob