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National Harbor sailing info (Wash DC)

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/09/2010 : 08:49:20

I will be at National Harbor next May speaking at a conference. I'm interested in sailing in that area, it looks like there are some marinas nearby with a lot of sailboats.

Has anyone sailed or even chartered a boat in that area? I've been to conferences before where I've chartered a boat and stayed aboard during the conference rather than using the conference hotel (The Gaylord National in this case).

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who sails in the area about the sailing there, and about any good charter companies in the area.

What's the sailing like in the area?
Would you recommend sailing in that area of the Potomac or instead recommend trying the Chesapeake?
What are the sights to see from the water in the area?
Other advice?

Thanks!

--Skipper of the Unsinkable2
http://blog.unsinkable2.com
1977 Catalina 25 SK/SR #246 "Unsinkable 2"
1964 Lido 14 #1878 "Tomato Sloop"

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2010 : 10:04:10

Natl Harbor is in my neck of the woods. I keep my boat about 5 miles north and adjacent to the Washington Channel where the Anacostia and Potomac rivers meet. I was just at Natl harbor for an overnighter a few weeks ago.
On the Natl Harbor, Md side there are no close areas to charter a boat. The Harbor mostly caters to large motorboats. There are a few large sailboats there but I do not believe they rent any sailboats out of the Harbor. Across the river is Bellhaven Marina on the VA side. They rent mostly small sailboats (ie. Lightnings, Flying Scots, etc). Just north of the Wilson bridge which is adjacent to the Natl Harbor is Old Town, Alexandria, VA and north of that area and just south of Natl Reagan is the Washington sailing Marina also on the VA side. They rent small sailboats similar to Bellhaven out of the Wash Sailing Marina. The Natl Harbor Marina, Bellhaven Marina and Wash Sailing Marina are what is closest to the gaylord Convention Ctr. I would check their websites to see if there is any info about renting a sailboat with a cabin, etc. You may try calling them as well.

Near where I keep my sailboat is the Gangplank Marina on the Washington Channel adjacent to the seafood restaurants in DC. The Gangplank marina may have boats for charter. That s about 5 miles north of the Natl Harbor.

Natl Harbor has a fairly nice marina. It has no services but is a tourist type area and they have a main concrete dock with separate security gates to access the finger slips and the boats. The marina is only about 3 years old. Marina bathroom facilities are not at the dock but across the first street past the dock in the marina's main office. The bathroom facilities are excellent. they do not get any better than this w/washers/dryers...and free for transients. bathroom facilities are brand new with separate showers within 4 individual bathrooms. Totally modern.
The Gaylord Convention Center is huge. Restuarnats are expensive.

Oh - One thing...if by chance you do rent a boat..since the Natl Harbor is set up for fairly large boats, the electrical hookups are from mid-points between slips and it is a long way to boat hookups. A 30 foot line is doubtful for being long enough. I had to buy an extension and then recently bought a Marinco weather-resistant cover to encapsulate the external joint where the extension hooks up with my other line. I think the two lines I use is a total of 50' and that is definitely long enough. A 30' would be okay if entering finger slip stern first, otherwise, a longer line is recommended.

Sailing - Well...it's river sailing. The channel in that area winds it's way south and draft is okay but a little narrow up near the Natl Harbor and North. As you travel south, the river/draft widens but you have to be familiar with the depths in that area eith by following the charts or, depth finder, etc. The winds are fine most times with about 5-10mph or 10-15mph. In summer, there is less wind but still okay most times. This is not the Cheasapeake. the Chesapeake has excellent sailing and not contstricted like it is in the River but the river has advantages ...mainly close proximity to home, work...or convention presentations. If you can easily go to Deale, Md, etc on the Cheasapeake from the Gaylord...then you may want to check that out. It is probably about 40 minutes from the Gaylord. It is an alternative to river sailing and Deale Maryland probably has enough marinas...one of them must have charters available.

Edited by - OLarryR on 11/09/2010 10:13:20

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2010 : 20:25:25

How about getting in touch with me next April before your conference? We can go sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2010 : 12:08:40

@Larry - Thanks for the info. I'll keep looking but it sounds like I may end up at the hotel, atleast during the conference. I do need to go see the Gangplank marina though. There is a congressman who has a houseboat with the same name as my sailboat, "Unsinkable 2". To my knowledge, those are the only two boats by that name. Well, atleast the only two still floating...

@JohnP- Sounds good, thanks for the invite! I'll get in touch with you in spring sometime and see if there's a time that works out.

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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.