First Post

[Aesiegel]

Welcome Captain Bounds,

I think if you have a swim ladder or platform on your boat, there should be little problem getting into a kayak from the boat. The bigger issue, IMHO, is how do you transport several 12'-14' kayaks on the boat while running to the fishing spots.

[Capt Brady Bounds]

Another aspect of having a mothership trip is that the big boat would always be tending the flock, immediately available if things go bad. Personally I would be uncomfortable tending more than four ducklings, just to many people to watch at one time.

[Capt Brady Bounds]

Welcome Captain Bounds,

I think if you have a swim ladder or platform on your boat, there should be little problem getting into a kayak from the boat. The bigger issue, IMHO, is how do you transport several 12'-14' kayaks on the boat while running to the fishing spots.

I'm not yet exactly certain on how. I see possibilities of loading them in lenghtwise, side by side,....and I see possibilities of loading them crossways ahead of the console. Across the rear deck, two crossways, strapped down for sure. An appropiate use of foam in between yaks. I see four for sure and possibly two more. My other boat is a 21' Souwester (Parker) and we'ld just load them in the forward space ahead of the console because there are no casting decks on that boat.

Gee, thinking of this now, I really have two motherships. My son can operate the sister ship.

[Capt Brady Bounds]

Do you guys want racks to put the boats into ? Give me a little guidance here pls.

[jffoley]

Do you guys want racks to put the boats into ? Give me a little guidance here pls.

Many can be stacked on top of one another and then strapped down together. I wouldn't think anything elaborate is needed.

Another aspect to this mothership idea is that one could go out on the kayak with less equipment and specific to the target species. When going for a day guys will load up with tackle, several rods, cooler, etc as we'll be on the water a while and want to "have the bases covered". Having a tender would allow for going light in the yak. Could always return to the mothership if anything is needed.

[MetroMan]

How much would trips like this cost for mothership service?

[Yak Fish]

Do you guys want racks to put the boats into ? Give me a little guidance here pls.

Everyone's yak is a little different in shape. There are a lot of ways that people store their yaks, usually upside down, but for a trip in stow they'd probably want them right side up because it'd be easier to not flip it around in the water. The common storage method for this would be two parallel bars running the length of the kayak with a strap between them. The bow and stern of the kayak could each rest on the strap. This would be a one size fits all kind of storage method. Many times these are made cheaply and easily of PVC and canvas straps. A barge could have several parallel bars with strapping between each one. This would cradle the kayaks without denting them in the warm sun. You could also have a strap just to secure them, but that may not be necessary since their weight should be enough to hold them in place.

[jet]

welcome to the site, i'm interested in your 30 years fishing the bay! where are you out of?

[ictalurus]

Capt.--I live in St. Mary's County and have 2 kayaks if you want to meet somewhere and try to fit them both in your boat. Then, you can think about the best way to secure them.

[J.A. Veil]

Hello Capt. Brady -

I have been following your posts on Tidalfish for many years. Welcome to the MKF board. There are lots of good fishermen here and much less of the negativity that has become a regular part of Tidalfish.

Your concept of providing mothership service is intriguing and would appeal to many on this board. You seem to be an innovator who is willing to think in ways that are outside the box. That should really help in getting a mothership service started.

Most of the regular anglers on this site are young guys who are in good shape and who have strong bodies and good balance. However, there are few more seasoned members (I resemble that remark) who are larger and heavier, and don't have the balance, flexibility or strength to confidently enter and exit a kayak from a floating structure. I have tried entering and exiting from a floating dock and did not enjoy it. I would much rather move into shallow water where I can step out onto the bottom. Some of us older guys tend to have more disposable cash and therefore may be more inclined to pay for your services. Please keep that in mind as you make your plans.

Regarding towing kayaks behind a boat (with individual kayaks floating in the water), I don't think that is a good idea. I once was towed at low speed for about a mile while sitting in the kayak. The kayak did not track straight, but zig-zagged strongly. And that was on completely calm and flat water. One alternative would be to create a "trailer rig" to tow behind your boat. You could rig up something on a flat-bottomed skiff or even in a catamaran format with racks or chocks on the surface to keep the kayaks in place.

I look forward to hearing more about your ideas.

[Redfish12]

That's a good idea, always easier to gauge with the real thing.

As far as getting in, if it's the summer we can just drop them in over the side with a bow rope, then jump in and get in. You can pretty much just hand a rod or two down and whatever tackle you would need would already be on the boat. Most of us are pretty adept at getting back in our kayaks, it's much easier in the summer with out all the extra clothing.

I'm thinking getting the kayaks back in would be the harder part. Do you have a tuna door or anything like that?

[jffoley]

however, there are few more seasoned members (i resemble that remark) who are larger and heavier, and don't have the balance, flexibility or strength to confidently enter and exit a kayak from a floating structure. I have tried entering and exiting from a floating dock and did not enjoy it. I would much rather move into shallow water where i can step out onto the bottom. Some of us older guys tend to have more disposable cash and therefore may be more inclined to pay for your services. Please keep that in mind as you make your plans.

+1

[Redfish12]

I guess I should have changed it to some of us...

There are many boats on the West Coast providing this type of service, I can look into how they transport kayaks for you?

[Capt Brady Bounds]

Thanks For The Questions And Info, Keep It Coming

I would be interested in any links to a mothership service on the west coast or elsewhere.

One of the great beauties of internet is that somebody knows the answers.

As to costs, well I'm not knowledgeable enough about this adventure to be able to project an estimate on that now...but be assured that if we do it, I will make sure it is affordable. Something that is unknown to me is what would the market bear ? Of course, that depends on the service, so can we outline what expectations you have of the mothership ? Basically in the fish guiding biz, it's fixed costs plus operating costs plus labor.

Suppose I offer to donate my labor, as the guide, under the auspices of research and training in the beginning phase of developing the mothership idea. Let's say a minimum of two yaks, up to a total of four. Let's say a full day excursion of nine hours on the Bay from time of rendezvous to time of return to starting point.

I need to know what the yak expects of the guide and what the yak is willing to pay. On the latter question, please do not post money numbers here, but rather send me your thoughts by pmail. As a point of reference, a full day of fishing costs $450 on Susquehanna Flats for up to three anglers and in the middle bay area the rest of the year $400. I personally see much of the operating costs associated with fish guiding not applicable to mothershipping so that can be pared down. If I get persuaded to provide service to kayaks, I want the cost to the paddler to be fair and affordable and I want to provide that service better than anybody ever dreamed..... Sorta my mantra.

[MetroMan]

Thanks for the explanation. Quite often things seem like a great idea and everyone is extremely excited about it. Then when time comes to pony up the cash, people mysteriously dissappear. Sounds like you got your bases covered on making this a feasible endeavour. Welcome again...I am looking forward to this!!!