Boating News
2012 Prince William Boat Show
This weekend, for the fourth year in a row, the Prince William Marina is hosting the “Washington Capitol Boating Show” along the Occoquan waterfront. The boat show will be running all weekend long, from Friday at 2:00 until Sunday at 5:00.
There is an impressive list of 50 vendors that will be in attendance. Prince William Marina is a Sea Ray dealership and they will have many new & used boats on display. This year promises to include a large number of boats to explore, as both Hoffmaster’s Marina (Chaparrel Boats) and Holly Acres (Bayliner and Regal Boats) will also have boats on display.
If you’re thinking about buying a boat or just counting down the days until summertime, you should plan on stopping by.
Tim’s Polar Plunge 2012
With Spring right around the corner, it’s time for the crazies to plunge into the freezing cold Potomac River. The 10th Annual Polar Plunge to benefit Virginia Special Olympics takes place today, Saturday February 25th, at Tim’s Rivershore.
The river will be rocking with live music, contests, prizes and more! Visit Tim’s for more information.
2012 Boat Show Season
Posted by Lou on January 16, 2012 in Boat Shows, Boating News
The river hasn’t frozen over and we haven’t seen much snow but boating season 2012 is just around the corner! In a mere 45 days, the early birds will be de-winterizing and setting sail. If you’re thinking about buying a new boat or upgrading, attending a boat show is a great place to start. Here are the dates for the upcoming boat shows:
January 19th – 22th
January 27th – 29th
February 17th – 19th
March 9th – 11th
Prince William Boat Show
March 23rd – 25th
Navigating the Occoquan River
The Occoquan River contains many aids to navigation, commonly known as buoys or channel markers, which are designed, built and maintained by the United States Coast Guard. While some Aids to Navigation are buoys, many others are day markers. The general purpose is to provide the boating public with a “sense of direction” while on the water.
Generally speaking, green markers are kept to the RIGHT when leaving a harbor and red markers are kept to the RIGHT when returning to harbor, thus coining the famous phrase: “Red, Right, Return”
Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
Posted by Lou on October 11, 2011 in Boating News, Environmental News, Potomac River, Wildlife Refuge
The Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge is a strip of 325 acres of pristine riverfront property wedged between Route 1 and the Potomac River.
In 1970, the refuge was made off-limits to the general public. As of today, access is no longer limited. At this point, only boaters can access the refuge via the trail at the southernmost point of Farm Creek, which leads out to Occoquan Bay.
If you’re a fan of hiking and boating, you’re in luck!
The Muddy Waters of the Chesapeake
Posted by Lou on September 18, 2011 in Boating News, Chesapeake Bay, Occoquan River, Pictures, Potomac River
The “true color” image below, courtesy of Maryland’s Eyes on the Bay website, shows just how unbelievably muddy the Chesapeake Bay has become the in the wake of the copious amount of rainfall that has fallen in the past 2 weeks.
Stuck on a rock
Not the most dramatic rescue but a rescue nonetheless! WARNING: Watch out for those unexpected rocks on the north side of the Occoquan walking bridge.
Red Bull National Wake 2011
Posted by Lou on July 13, 2011 in Boating News, Meetups, National Harbor, Potomac River, Special Events, Wakeboarding
Red Bull National Wake 2.0, a professional wakeboarding competition, will take place July 23rd at National Harbor. This very cool event will feature professional wakeboarders Brian Grubb and JD Webb, along with a crew of local riders. It seems that all-star Parks Bonifay will be M.I.A. from this year’s competition.
These tremendous water athletes will be flying off of custom made features built especially for National Harbor. Towed by Red Bull Waverunners, the riders will put on quite a show for National Harbor visitors. There will be a post event autograph signing and give-a-ways throughout the day.
Check out the Facebook page here and the official event page here.
When: Saturday, July 23, 2011 @ 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Where: National Harbor, Maryland
Aquapalooza 2011: July 23 @Tim’s 1
Posted by Lou on June 23, 2011 in Aquapalooza, Boating News, Chesapeake Bay, Meetups, Occoquan River, Potomac River, Special Events
Aquapalooza 2011, the world’s largest boating event, will once again have an outpost in Washington DC, along the Potomac River. The floating party is sponsored by the Prince William Marina. Following last year’s lead, the merry mayhem will take place at Tim’s Rivershore in Dumfries, VA (AKA Tim’s 1).
By road, access will be limited (you will have to shuttle to Tim’s from a parking area). By water, just pull on up! All of the fun’s on the water, so bring your beach towels, sunscreen, water and snacks! And get ready to listen to some country music.
Have fun, be safe, see you at Aquapalooza 2011!
Mandatory Boat Licences Arrive
Posted by Lou on June 16, 2011 in Boating News, Chesapeake Bay, Occoquan River, Potomac River, Washington DC News
Quick public safety announcement: as of July 1, 2011 PWC operators 50 years of age or younger and motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger are required to complete a boating safety education course. You can find the complete rules and phase-in schedule here.
No worries though, getting your boat license is pretty easy. You just need to buy a DVD from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. The DVD is only 60 minutes long, broken out into 10 minute chapters (looks like the video was filmed by BoatU.S. in 1987). Then you have to take a 50 question multiple choice test (open book) and mail your scantron back with $5.
It takes about 2 weeks to get our licenses in the mail. You can send a copy to your insurance company (and hopefully chop 10% off your boat insurance).
3rd Annual Spring Dust-Off
Posted by Lou on May 4, 2011 in Boat Clubs, Boating News, Meetups, Occoquan River, Potomac River, Special Events
Summer is just around the bend, time to sit back and unwind (once your hull is waxed). To get things crackin’ this year, the Potomac River Party Boaters Association is organizing the3rd Annual Spring Dust-Off during the afternoon/evening of Saturday, May 7th.
This year, the floatilla will take place off the sandy beach at Belmont Bay.
Last year it was a great time (despite the rain delay). This year, the forecast looks sunny! All boats are welcome.
Join the best Facebook group for Potomac River boaters and connect with local boaters! The mission of the Potomac River Party Boaters Association is to promote the tradition and sport of responsibly enjoying the Potomac River each and every summer.
Tim’s Polar Plunge 2011
With Spring right around the corner, it’s time for the crazies to run into the freezing cold Potomac River. The 9th Annual Polar Plunge to benefit Virginia Special Olympics will take place on Saturday, February 26 at Tim’s Rivershore.
The river will be rocking with live music, contests, prizes and more! Visit Tim’s for more information.