I have just sold both of my sail boats (c15 and a c22) in preparation for a move. I will be in Washington D.C. for about 4 months beginning in January for training. I would like to get some info on sailing clubs and such around the area. Being from MT the East Coast is like a foreign country. Is it even possible to sail in January around there??? Thanks, Shane.
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Winter Sailing in Washington
Shane, I lived in DC for 4 years, sailing during the winter is pretty much out, the Potomac will be frozen close to shore, and the waters of the Potomac and the Chesapeak would be pretty frigid. If you stay into late spring or summer, you can rent daysailers at the Washington Sailing Marina south of town, by the airport; and Sunfish-types downtown by the Watergate Hotel. Perhaps someone can give you info about the Chesapeak, I expect you can find something other there for the winter months and as you're from Montana I suppose you've got the warm clothes for it! Good luck. Mike Turner RR23 "Fiddlestix" San Diego
Shane, I lived in DC for 4 years, sailing during the winter is pretty much out, the Potomac will be frozen close to shore, and the waters of the Potomac and the Chesapeak would be pretty frigid. If you stay into late spring or summer, you can rent daysailers at the Washington Sailing Marina south of town, by the airport; and Sunfish-types downtown by the Watergate Hotel. Perhaps someone can give you info about the Chesapeak, I expect you can find something other there for the winter months and as you're from Montana I suppose you've got the warm clothes for it! Good luck. Mike Turner RR23 "Fiddlestix" San Diego
Doubtful but no impossible
I used to live in WDC. The Washington Sailing marine is actually in Virginia, just south of Reagan Airport on the Potomac river. There is a rental service there, but may only open on weekends in the winter, IF the weather cooperates. The River does sometime freeze in the winter... There is a marina there, and parking launching facilities for small boats. A sailing club meets there, check the bulletin board there. You may find a hardy soul to frost bite!!! I kept a Pearson 26 in Edgewater, MD. The harbor would freeze so no sailing there... I did some winter windsurfing in the Potomac river just off Memorial bridge (I used a drysuit) I also windsurfed Rehobeth Bay, DE (180 miles away). I'd windsurf off a snowy beach, w/dri suit but lots of the bay is less than waist deep (kept my head dry). Good luck, you will find WDC sooooo different than Billings, but it has a neat vibe, good night life and a good ratio of single ladies!! That's for if you are moving alone
Marc S/V Otra Cuba Libre Miami. FL
I used to live in WDC. The Washington Sailing marine is actually in Virginia, just south of Reagan Airport on the Potomac river. There is a rental service there, but may only open on weekends in the winter, IF the weather cooperates. The River does sometime freeze in the winter... There is a marina there, and parking launching facilities for small boats. A sailing club meets there, check the bulletin board there. You may find a hardy soul to frost bite!!! I kept a Pearson 26 in Edgewater, MD. The harbor would freeze so no sailing there... I did some winter windsurfing in the Potomac river just off Memorial bridge (I used a drysuit) I also windsurfed Rehobeth Bay, DE (180 miles away). I'd windsurf off a snowy beach, w/dri suit but lots of the bay is less than waist deep (kept my head dry). Good luck, you will find WDC sooooo different than Billings, but it has a neat vibe, good night life and a good ratio of single ladies!! That's for if you are moving alone
Marc S/V Otra Cuba Libre Miami. FLFrostbites
I think there are winter races and some daysailing during the winter, I remember some articles on it from last year and will have to find them. Pretty sure Annapolis Yacht Club and others sponsor some mid-winter frostbites. Many centers are still torn up from hurricane Isabel. Doubt the WSM does rentals in the winter.
I think there are winter races and some daysailing during the winter, I remember some articles on it from last year and will have to find them. Pretty sure Annapolis Yacht Club and others sponsor some mid-winter frostbites. Many centers are still torn up from hurricane Isabel. Doubt the WSM does rentals in the winter.
DC!!!
DC is such a great place that you'll never have a chance to go sailing if you spend a little time seeing all the sights that are there. once you've gotten a little tired of the tourist thing plan a short days drive to NC to sail in weather that is barely warmer than MT sometimes and other times it has been 80 within a few days of new years. So we sail all year long just down here in NC except for the no wind months of July and August.
DC is such a great place that you'll never have a chance to go sailing if you spend a little time seeing all the sights that are there. once you've gotten a little tired of the tourist thing plan a short days drive to NC to sail in weather that is barely warmer than MT sometimes and other times it has been 80 within a few days of new years. So we sail all year long just down here in NC except for the no wind months of July and August.
Try Belle Haven Marina
When I lived in the DC area, I sailed quite a bit at Belle Haven Marina. They are along the George Washington Parkway in Virginia, south of Old Town Alexandria and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. They had a fleet of Flying Scots (the best daysailer in the world, IMHO) and some Sunfish. I found Washington Sailing Marina to be noisy (it's right under the main runway to National Airport) and you can't sail past the 14th Street Bridge (low clearance). Belle Haven is much quieter, and they'll let you go down the river as far as Mount Vernon. The river is wide and there's not much current. Check with Belle Haven regarding river freezing in the winter. If it gets really cold, there's decent skiing within a few hours' drive of the city. Other sailing options include marinas on the Occoquan River and the Chesapeake Bay. You'll like DC, it's a fun city with lots to do. Peter H23 "Raven"
When I lived in the DC area, I sailed quite a bit at Belle Haven Marina. They are along the George Washington Parkway in Virginia, south of Old Town Alexandria and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. They had a fleet of Flying Scots (the best daysailer in the world, IMHO) and some Sunfish. I found Washington Sailing Marina to be noisy (it's right under the main runway to National Airport) and you can't sail past the 14th Street Bridge (low clearance). Belle Haven is much quieter, and they'll let you go down the river as far as Mount Vernon. The river is wide and there's not much current. Check with Belle Haven regarding river freezing in the winter. If it gets really cold, there's decent skiing within a few hours' drive of the city. Other sailing options include marinas on the Occoquan River and the Chesapeake Bay. You'll like DC, it's a fun city with lots to do. Peter H23 "Raven"
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