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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Looking to rent in Potomac River (Alexandria)		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/27/2010 :  07:18:58  Show Profile
I'm meeting with some friends in DC this weekend, and was considering renting a daysailer on the Potomac. I see that Washington Sailing Marina has Flying Scots. Does anyone have any other places to recommend?

LarryR - Is this where you keep your boat?
Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts
Response Posted - 09/27/2010 :  08:37:11  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage
Wow ! Coming to our area !!

I do not keep my boat at the Wash Sailing Marina, though, that is where I go for pressure washes and probably next year for pulling the boat out and repainting the bottom. They have a long narrow channel for getting in and out of it and if you ever have an issue with your motor, it would be hard to tack in that narrow channel for mid/large sailboats. So, I am just a bit north of there on the Wash DC side at James Creek Marina which is just off the Potomac on the Anacostia River (adjacent to the Washington Channel - Other side of Ft McNair).

There 3 places to rent in our upper Potomac River area. One is in Wash DC along the Washington Channel but I would not recommend it because winds in that area are usually light and not always that favorable for getting out of that channel. It is also farther north compared to Alexandria.

The Washington Sailing Marina is the best place for you to rent and I believe they rent Lightnings and maybe Albacores as well. They have a cove that you can sail in but if you want to escape from there, you have to tack a bit thru the narrow channel to get onto the Potomac. Since these rentals all have centerboards/daggerboards and shallow drafts, you would probably only have to tack a short distance before going outside of the narrow channel markers and into the main part of the Potomac River.

The other potential place to rent from is Belhaven Marina. It is located similar to the Wash Sailing Marina in a park like setting but South of Alexandria and just South of the Wilson Bridge. It is on the Virginia side and across from it on the Maryland side is the new Natl Harbor/shopping/hotel complex. Belhave is a much smaller marina compared to the Washington Sailing Marina. Belhaven rents similar boats as the Washington sailing Marina but perhaps more smaller daysailors. They also have a website , so you can compare prices and faciltieis with the Wash Sailing Marina. One plus at the Wash Sailing Marina is that they have a nice snack bar where you can get hamburgers, etc before or after sailing.

One thing you maywant to check on before you arrive. The Wash Sailing Marina (and maybe Belhaven) have a reqmt that you demonstrate some boating knowledge before they rent to you. Based on previous sailing experieence, they then probably would only have you take a multiple choice test before they rent you the boat. I am not sure but it is likely if you have some boaters certificate of having taken a previous course, that may suffice. best to check by calling one or both places to find out their rules, so you have no disappointments or delays on the day you want to sail.

By the way, I won't be able to sail this upcoming weekend. have other things scheduled Friday, Sat and Sunday.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.