INFO. ON TRAVELING UP POTOMAC RIVER

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wayne sr

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HELLO ALL, I WANT TO MAKE A TRIP UP THE POTOMAC R. TO WASHINGTON, DC. FROM THE THE MOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE. ANYONE KNOW OF MARINAS TO STAY AT PREFERABLY FLOATING DOCKS,
AND IS THERE A MARINA WITH FLOATING DOCKS IN D.C. THANKS.
 
St. Mary's Yachting Center has undergone remodeling since its former days as Dennis Point,and it may now have floating docks. It is also close to the mouth of the Potomac. As far as floating docks, we have traveled the lower Potomac for about 14 years, and have been on the Chesapeake for the past three. Unless a marina has redone their docks, since we have been there, the only ones that I know of with floating docks is Prince William on the Occoquan, that does not accept transients, and Smallwood State Park on Mattawoman Creek, across from the Occoquan. I think Fort Washington, just north of the Occoquan may have remodeled, don't know if they have floating. Why are floating docks important to you? The tidal change is usually less than 1.5 feet on the Potomac.
 
I have read the new national marina just before the new wilson bridge (sorry don't know the correct name) has floating docks. Other than that there may be one floater at Colonial Beach as they have rebuilt in the last couple of years after the local storms.
Otherwise it is a decent trip with a lot to do along the way.
 
The marina just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (which is I-95 / Capitol Beltway), is called the National Harbor Marina. It is not in Washington, but just outside Washington in Oxon Hill, MD. There is a lot of new development there, including restaurants, shops, hotel, and condos. They have some outdoor concerts on weekends in the summer. The name of the area might have been officially changed to "National Harbor, MD". It's not your usual quaint village you see along more rural areas of the Potomac or Chesapeake. Everything there is new. I call it a "fake village". That's not meant to be a positive or a negative... it's just what it is, and wanted to let you know what to expect.
 
Do you plan to do it all in one day or break the trip up? There are marinas along the way St. Mary's Yacht Center and Point Lookout Marina are good near the mouth of the river. Tall Timbers it pretty cool if you like shabby (I mean it I really like it especially on holidays when they have the boar bonfire on the beach.) Coles Point is ok. Near colonial beach there is Colonial beach yacht center and Stepps Harborview and several on the Maryland side at Cobb Island. More all the way up but I haven't stayed at any except some on the Occoquon. There are some pretty decent anchoring out sites as well. What are your needs and timetable?
 
I believe St. Marys Yachting Center is in the process of installing floating docks, not sure if or when this will be complete. They want to install but last time I was there is was all fixed docks.
Colonial Beach Yacht Center has floating docks, a good restaurant and supplies.

National Harbor has all floating docks. However, one drawback I found this past summer is their lack of simple boating supplies. Groceries, parts, ect... You'd have to find transportation and drive out of the town and search...a real hassle. They do have overpriced restaurants and ice though!

James Creek marina and Columbia Island marina, both have floating docks but not sure about transient vacancy at Columbia Island.

Don't forget to get a DC boater's certificate.
Have fun on your trip.
 
Reel,

What is a DC boater's certificate? I have never had one.
 
<<...."What is a DC boater's certificate? I have never had one."....>>

As far as I know, you just need a safety certificate from any NASBLA approved safety course. It does not have to be from DC.
 
Sorry about that... DC harbor patrol requires a boating certificate while operating in DC waters. You can have a certificate from any other state, as long as it's reciprocal to DC.

"Anyone operating a vessel on District of Columbia waterways is required to have a Boating Safety Certificate. The Boating Safety Certificate is issued to individuals who successfully complete the Boating Safety course."

http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,Q,559121,mpdcNav_GID,1550,mpdcNav,|31855|,.asp

BU has an online course which is accepted in DC from some states.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.htm?WT.mc_id=400082
 
<<..."What is NASBLA?"...>>

Beaurocrats who take you money. I think it stands for National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. This group basically says whether a boating safeyy course meets the minimum standards.
A boating safety certificate has been required in DC waters (the potomac above the Wilson Bridge) for quite a few years now.
 
I've made the trip from the bay to DC a couple of times. Both times I stayed at Gangplank Marina. It has floating docs and is only about two blocks from the metro station. I was working at the Pentagon during those trips and the Metro stop nearby made transportation easy. See them at www.gangplank.com. The Capital Yacht Club is next door, but I don't know their transient availability. They do, however, have floating docks. A couple folks mentioned National Harbor and that looks nice. I've not stayed there, but they have a water taxi to Alexandria and othe points of interest. Try them at www.nationalharbor.com.
 
Some of marinas on the Potomac are draft limited. Depending on your boat's draft this could be an issue.

Also, a number of the marinas do not have diesel fuel...if that is a requirement. Others have been known to frequently be out of gas, particularly on weekends.

Best to do a cruise plan and call marinas to check current status.
 
Pathfinder makes a good point. Gangplank does not have fuel at all. You can, however, get both gas and diesel at the James Creek Marina nearby. Be aware though that Washington DC has very high fuel tax so I recommend buying fuel before you get there or on the way back.
 
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