I will be moving from Newport to Washington DC this summer and would like a recommendation as to where to keep my hunter 34. Annapolis sounds like the best place, but are there other areas nearby or maybe closer to DC that might be just as nice, but less expensive? Can anyone recommend any specific marinas? Thanks, Chris
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I will be moving from Newport to Washington DC this summer and would like a recommendation as to where to keep my hunter 34. Annapolis sounds like the best place, but are there other areas nearby or maybe closer to DC that might be just as nice, but less expensive? Can anyone recommend any specific marinas? Thanks, Chris
Yes, but...
The closer to Annapolis or DC you get, the more costly slips become. Also, you'll have to wait for the Wilson Bridge to open to sail further south and into the Bay if you dock on the Potomac, near DC. There are many marinas not far from Annapolis, and on both sides of the Bay. Where I keep my H34, there are at least three other H34s. It's about 10 minutes of motoring to the eastern end of the South River, and after about 15 minutes of sailing - I'm in the Bay. The downside is loads of powerboat traffic on the weekends. Once out in the Bay you're pretty much by yourself, as long as you stay clear of the shipping lanes. For a list of nearby Marinas, do Google searchs on "Chesapeake Bay marinas", and "Washington, DC marinas". ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
The closer to Annapolis or DC you get, the more costly slips become. Also, you'll have to wait for the Wilson Bridge to open to sail further south and into the Bay if you dock on the Potomac, near DC. There are many marinas not far from Annapolis, and on both sides of the Bay. Where I keep my H34, there are at least three other H34s. It's about 10 minutes of motoring to the eastern end of the South River, and after about 15 minutes of sailing - I'm in the Bay. The downside is loads of powerboat traffic on the weekends. Once out in the Bay you're pretty much by yourself, as long as you stay clear of the shipping lanes. For a list of nearby Marinas, do Google searchs on "Chesapeake Bay marinas", and "Washington, DC marinas". ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
Yes, but...
The closer to Annapolis or DC you get, the more costly slips become. Also, you'll have to wait for the Wilson Bridge to open to sail further south and into the Bay if you dock on the Potomac, near DC. There are many marinas not far from Annapolis, and on both sides of the Bay. Where I keep my H34, there are at least three other H34s. It's about 10 minutes of motoring to the eastern end of the South River, and after about 15 minutes of sailing - I'm in the Bay. The downside is loads of powerboat traffic on the weekends. Once out in the Bay you're pretty much by yourself, as long as you stay clear of the shipping lanes. For a list of nearby Marinas, do Google searchs on "Chesapeake Bay marinas", and "Washington, DC marinas". ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
The closer to Annapolis or DC you get, the more costly slips become. Also, you'll have to wait for the Wilson Bridge to open to sail further south and into the Bay if you dock on the Potomac, near DC. There are many marinas not far from Annapolis, and on both sides of the Bay. Where I keep my H34, there are at least three other H34s. It's about 10 minutes of motoring to the eastern end of the South River, and after about 15 minutes of sailing - I'm in the Bay. The downside is loads of powerboat traffic on the weekends. Once out in the Bay you're pretty much by yourself, as long as you stay clear of the shipping lanes. For a list of nearby Marinas, do Google searchs on "Chesapeake Bay marinas", and "Washington, DC marinas". ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
Chris, How about this!
Chris, You might like to look at this marina in the link. It's where I keep my H356, $85/mon. It is about an hour south of Wash,DC by car and the sailing is great. What power boats!! N38 15.855 W76 50.904 The most sail boats on the water sailing this last year was 7. Picture: marina is in the foreground, looking SE over the island into the Potomac Jim S/V Java
Chris, You might like to look at this marina in the link. It's where I keep my H356, $85/mon. It is about an hour south of Wash,DC by car and the sailing is great. What power boats!! N38 15.855 W76 50.904 The most sail boats on the water sailing this last year was 7. Picture: marina is in the foreground, looking SE over the island into the Potomac Jim S/V Java
Chris, How about this!
Chris, You might like to look at this marina in the link. It's where I keep my H356, $85/mon. It is about an hour south of Wash,DC by car and the sailing is great. What power boats!! N38 15.855 W76 50.904 The most sail boats on the water sailing this last year was 7. Picture: marina is in the foreground, looking SE over the island into the Potomac Jim S/V Java
Chris, You might like to look at this marina in the link. It's where I keep my H356, $85/mon. It is about an hour south of Wash,DC by car and the sailing is great. What power boats!! N38 15.855 W76 50.904 The most sail boats on the water sailing this last year was 7. Picture: marina is in the foreground, looking SE over the island into the Potomac Jim S/V Java
Come talk with Hunter Owners
Talk with fellow Hunter Owners at the Hunter Sailing Association Station One Annual Meeting, noon on Sunday Jan 9 at Griffins Resturant on the Annapolis waterfront. We are a group with over 100 Hunters, docked mostly between Annapolis and Herring Bay, but stretching up and dowm the whole of the Chesapeake. About half of our members live in Northern VA, or MD near DC. For more info about the club visit www.hsa1.org
Talk with fellow Hunter Owners at the Hunter Sailing Association Station One Annual Meeting, noon on Sunday Jan 9 at Griffins Resturant on the Annapolis waterfront. We are a group with over 100 Hunters, docked mostly between Annapolis and Herring Bay, but stretching up and dowm the whole of the Chesapeake. About half of our members live in Northern VA, or MD near DC. For more info about the club visit www.hsa1.org
Come talk with Hunter Owners
Talk with fellow Hunter Owners at the Hunter Sailing Association Station One Annual Meeting, noon on Sunday Jan 9 at Griffins Resturant on the Annapolis waterfront. We are a group with over 100 Hunters, docked mostly between Annapolis and Herring Bay, but stretching up and dowm the whole of the Chesapeake. About half of our members live in Northern VA, or MD near DC. For more info about the club visit www.hsa1.org
Talk with fellow Hunter Owners at the Hunter Sailing Association Station One Annual Meeting, noon on Sunday Jan 9 at Griffins Resturant on the Annapolis waterfront. We are a group with over 100 Hunters, docked mostly between Annapolis and Herring Bay, but stretching up and dowm the whole of the Chesapeake. About half of our members live in Northern VA, or MD near DC. For more info about the club visit www.hsa1.org
Herrington Harbour
You may want to check out Herrington Harbour North or South. About 40 miles/minutes from DC. Very nice marinas with lots of amenities and maintenance/repair facilities. Slips are about 20-30 per cent less than Annapolis, but then Deale, Md, is not Annapolis....(which is only 20 min up the road by car).
You may want to check out Herrington Harbour North or South. About 40 miles/minutes from DC. Very nice marinas with lots of amenities and maintenance/repair facilities. Slips are about 20-30 per cent less than Annapolis, but then Deale, Md, is not Annapolis....(which is only 20 min up the road by car).
Herrington Harbour
You may want to check out Herrington Harbour North or South. About 40 miles/minutes from DC. Very nice marinas with lots of amenities and maintenance/repair facilities. Slips are about 20-30 per cent less than Annapolis, but then Deale, Md, is not Annapolis....(which is only 20 min up the road by car).
You may want to check out Herrington Harbour North or South. About 40 miles/minutes from DC. Very nice marinas with lots of amenities and maintenance/repair facilities. Slips are about 20-30 per cent less than Annapolis, but then Deale, Md, is not Annapolis....(which is only 20 min up the road by car).
Chesapeake Marina Recommendations
The other writers are correct. The closer to Annapolis or to DC, the more expensive the slips. There are two prime locations, in my view, on the western side of the Bay. First is the Galesville area off the West River. This is located about 10 miles south of Annapolis and is well located for the the middle bay area, particularly from around Rock Hall, into the Eastern Bay, and south to the Choptank River, although into the Choptank could be a long day. The second is the Herring Bay area. This is about 19 miles south of Annapolis and also has good access to the middle bay but anything north of the Bay Bridge can be a stretch. Good access to the Eastern Bay and better access into the Choptank. I sail out of Herring Bay in Shipwright Harbor which is adjacent to Herrington Harbor North. The Herring Bay area has, in general, the closest marinas to the DC area itself. I sense, but do not know, that Galesville is a little more expensive than the Herring Bay area. Demand for slips is pretty high in the Bay since many marinas lost docks in Hurricane Isabel and are rebuilding or have recently rebuilt. Good luck
The other writers are correct. The closer to Annapolis or to DC, the more expensive the slips. There are two prime locations, in my view, on the western side of the Bay. First is the Galesville area off the West River. This is located about 10 miles south of Annapolis and is well located for the the middle bay area, particularly from around Rock Hall, into the Eastern Bay, and south to the Choptank River, although into the Choptank could be a long day. The second is the Herring Bay area. This is about 19 miles south of Annapolis and also has good access to the middle bay but anything north of the Bay Bridge can be a stretch. Good access to the Eastern Bay and better access into the Choptank. I sail out of Herring Bay in Shipwright Harbor which is adjacent to Herrington Harbor North. The Herring Bay area has, in general, the closest marinas to the DC area itself. I sense, but do not know, that Galesville is a little more expensive than the Herring Bay area. Demand for slips is pretty high in the Bay since many marinas lost docks in Hurricane Isabel and are rebuilding or have recently rebuilt. Good luck
Chesapeake Marina Recommendations
The other writers are correct. The closer to Annapolis or to DC, the more expensive the slips. There are two prime locations, in my view, on the western side of the Bay. First is the Galesville area off the West River. This is located about 10 miles south of Annapolis and is well located for the the middle bay area, particularly from around Rock Hall, into the Eastern Bay, and south to the Choptank River, although into the Choptank could be a long day. The second is the Herring Bay area. This is about 19 miles south of Annapolis and also has good access to the middle bay but anything north of the Bay Bridge can be a stretch. Good access to the Eastern Bay and better access into the Choptank. I sail out of Herring Bay in Shipwright Harbor which is adjacent to Herrington Harbor North. The Herring Bay area has, in general, the closest marinas to the DC area itself. I sense, but do not know, that Galesville is a little more expensive than the Herring Bay area. Demand for slips is pretty high in the Bay since many marinas lost docks in Hurricane Isabel and are rebuilding or have recently rebuilt. Good luck
The other writers are correct. The closer to Annapolis or to DC, the more expensive the slips. There are two prime locations, in my view, on the western side of the Bay. First is the Galesville area off the West River. This is located about 10 miles south of Annapolis and is well located for the the middle bay area, particularly from around Rock Hall, into the Eastern Bay, and south to the Choptank River, although into the Choptank could be a long day. The second is the Herring Bay area. This is about 19 miles south of Annapolis and also has good access to the middle bay but anything north of the Bay Bridge can be a stretch. Good access to the Eastern Bay and better access into the Choptank. I sail out of Herring Bay in Shipwright Harbor which is adjacent to Herrington Harbor North. The Herring Bay area has, in general, the closest marinas to the DC area itself. I sense, but do not know, that Galesville is a little more expensive than the Herring Bay area. Demand for slips is pretty high in the Bay since many marinas lost docks in Hurricane Isabel and are rebuilding or have recently rebuilt. Good luck
shhhh...
don't tell all or what reasonable slip rate we do have here will go up with demand. Just kidding...the Galesville area is great IMHO.
don't tell all or what reasonable slip rate we do have here will go up with demand. Just kidding...the Galesville area is great IMHO.
shhhh...
don't tell all or what reasonable slip rate we do have here will go up with demand. Just kidding...the Galesville area is great IMHO.
don't tell all or what reasonable slip rate we do have here will go up with demand. Just kidding...the Galesville area is great IMHO.
Bay slips
If you are checking out mid-bay marinas there are several in Herring Bay along with Herrington Harbor. We kept 2 boats at ShipWright harbor. The slips are well kept, pool, self maintenance is allowed, and they treat the holder to 4 gatherings every year, New york strip bbq, brunch with 4 peice orchestral group, and a couple of others. The people are great and they are flexible. From our Hunter 335 Feng Shui to our 38 for 20.5 wide cat Makai they worked to find us space. It is less expensive than Anapolis and the traffic is easier. Herring Bay also has great access to many nice areas on the Bay. We loved it there. We are currently cruising in the Caribbean.
If you are checking out mid-bay marinas there are several in Herring Bay along with Herrington Harbor. We kept 2 boats at ShipWright harbor. The slips are well kept, pool, self maintenance is allowed, and they treat the holder to 4 gatherings every year, New york strip bbq, brunch with 4 peice orchestral group, and a couple of others. The people are great and they are flexible. From our Hunter 335 Feng Shui to our 38 for 20.5 wide cat Makai they worked to find us space. It is less expensive than Anapolis and the traffic is easier. Herring Bay also has great access to many nice areas on the Bay. We loved it there. We are currently cruising in the Caribbean.
Bay slips
If you are checking out mid-bay marinas there are several in Herring Bay along with Herrington Harbor. We kept 2 boats at ShipWright harbor. The slips are well kept, pool, self maintenance is allowed, and they treat the holder to 4 gatherings every year, New york strip bbq, brunch with 4 peice orchestral group, and a couple of others. The people are great and they are flexible. From our Hunter 335 Feng Shui to our 38 for 20.5 wide cat Makai they worked to find us space. It is less expensive than Anapolis and the traffic is easier. Herring Bay also has great access to many nice areas on the Bay. We loved it there. We are currently cruising in the Caribbean.
If you are checking out mid-bay marinas there are several in Herring Bay along with Herrington Harbor. We kept 2 boats at ShipWright harbor. The slips are well kept, pool, self maintenance is allowed, and they treat the holder to 4 gatherings every year, New york strip bbq, brunch with 4 peice orchestral group, and a couple of others. The people are great and they are flexible. From our Hunter 335 Feng Shui to our 38 for 20.5 wide cat Makai they worked to find us space. It is less expensive than Anapolis and the traffic is easier. Herring Bay also has great access to many nice areas on the Bay. We loved it there. We are currently cruising in the Caribbean.
So many choices!
It comes down to a balance of how far you are willing to drive, the size of your wallet, and your sailing interests. I live in Annapolis and work in DC. We keep our Hunter at a marina a 5-minute walk from our house. Annapolis is a great city, very busy on the sailing front like Newport, but not for everyone. It's kind of like living “inside the beltway” for sailors. We pay about $4,500 for a 40' slip in Annapolis (you can spend up to twice that for the same sized slip at other marinas, depends on amenities, e.g., tennis courts and swimming pools). Annapolis is about an hour from DC. We used to keep our boat in Solomons Island, about an hour south of Annapolis, at 60% the price of what I pay in Annapolis. And before that, we had our boat in the Rappahannock River area, a 3-hour drive from DC, for about a third of the price in Annapolis. I sailed a Catalina 27 out of Herrington Harbor (North and then South) some 18 years ago, and that's a great location too. All of these are wonderful Chesapeake sailing venues, IMO If I were to pick a marina for you without knowing any more detail, I'd head for Herring Bay as others have mentioned here. My pick would be Herrington Harbor South. It's central and within easy reach of many Bay attractions, dock fees are reasonable, has excellent boat services, racing/cruising clubs, and it's within easy reach of DC and suburbs. When you leave the marina in your boat, you are almost instantly in the Chesapeake Bay instead of having to face a slog down a river to get to the Bay. Great access!
It comes down to a balance of how far you are willing to drive, the size of your wallet, and your sailing interests. I live in Annapolis and work in DC. We keep our Hunter at a marina a 5-minute walk from our house. Annapolis is a great city, very busy on the sailing front like Newport, but not for everyone. It's kind of like living “inside the beltway” for sailors. We pay about $4,500 for a 40' slip in Annapolis (you can spend up to twice that for the same sized slip at other marinas, depends on amenities, e.g., tennis courts and swimming pools). Annapolis is about an hour from DC. We used to keep our boat in Solomons Island, about an hour south of Annapolis, at 60% the price of what I pay in Annapolis. And before that, we had our boat in the Rappahannock River area, a 3-hour drive from DC, for about a third of the price in Annapolis. I sailed a Catalina 27 out of Herrington Harbor (North and then South) some 18 years ago, and that's a great location too. All of these are wonderful Chesapeake sailing venues, IMO If I were to pick a marina for you without knowing any more detail, I'd head for Herring Bay as others have mentioned here. My pick would be Herrington Harbor South. It's central and within easy reach of many Bay attractions, dock fees are reasonable, has excellent boat services, racing/cruising clubs, and it's within easy reach of DC and suburbs. When you leave the marina in your boat, you are almost instantly in the Chesapeake Bay instead of having to face a slog down a river to get to the Bay. Great access!
So many choices!
It comes down to a balance of how far you are willing to drive, the size of your wallet, and your sailing interests. I live in Annapolis and work in DC. We keep our Hunter at a marina a 5-minute walk from our house. Annapolis is a great city, very busy on the sailing front like Newport, but not for everyone. It's kind of like living “inside the beltway” for sailors. We pay about $4,500 for a 40' slip in Annapolis (you can spend up to twice that for the same sized slip at other marinas, depends on amenities, e.g., tennis courts and swimming pools). Annapolis is about an hour from DC. We used to keep our boat in Solomons Island, about an hour south of Annapolis, at 60% the price of what I pay in Annapolis. And before that, we had our boat in the Rappahannock River area, a 3-hour drive from DC, for about a third of the price in Annapolis. I sailed a Catalina 27 out of Herrington Harbor (North and then South) some 18 years ago, and that's a great location too. All of these are wonderful Chesapeake sailing venues, IMO If I were to pick a marina for you without knowing any more detail, I'd head for Herring Bay as others have mentioned here. My pick would be Herrington Harbor South. It's central and within easy reach of many Bay attractions, dock fees are reasonable, has excellent boat services, racing/cruising clubs, and it's within easy reach of DC and suburbs. When you leave the marina in your boat, you are almost instantly in the Chesapeake Bay instead of having to face a slog down a river to get to the Bay. Great access!
It comes down to a balance of how far you are willing to drive, the size of your wallet, and your sailing interests. I live in Annapolis and work in DC. We keep our Hunter at a marina a 5-minute walk from our house. Annapolis is a great city, very busy on the sailing front like Newport, but not for everyone. It's kind of like living “inside the beltway” for sailors. We pay about $4,500 for a 40' slip in Annapolis (you can spend up to twice that for the same sized slip at other marinas, depends on amenities, e.g., tennis courts and swimming pools). Annapolis is about an hour from DC. We used to keep our boat in Solomons Island, about an hour south of Annapolis, at 60% the price of what I pay in Annapolis. And before that, we had our boat in the Rappahannock River area, a 3-hour drive from DC, for about a third of the price in Annapolis. I sailed a Catalina 27 out of Herrington Harbor (North and then South) some 18 years ago, and that's a great location too. All of these are wonderful Chesapeake sailing venues, IMO If I were to pick a marina for you without knowing any more detail, I'd head for Herring Bay as others have mentioned here. My pick would be Herrington Harbor South. It's central and within easy reach of many Bay attractions, dock fees are reasonable, has excellent boat services, racing/cruising clubs, and it's within easy reach of DC and suburbs. When you leave the marina in your boat, you are almost instantly in the Chesapeake Bay instead of having to face a slog down a river to get to the Bay. Great access!
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