Considering a move to Virginia from Florida

[trogers]

Colleagues,

I am considering a move to Northern Virginia. I have been (mostly) plying Florida waters for the past 14 years and am considering keeping the boat on the Potomac River close to DC possibly as a live aboard (some place like the Capital City Yacht Club).

Is there anyone who lives and boats in the area that would be willing to share some information about boating in Chesapeake Bay area in general and the Potomac River in specific? All topics are of interest to me.

1. Taxes and registration including applicable ad valorem taxes.
2. Diesel and access to "jobbers"
3. Climate for those who live-aboard- both meteorological and habitability or rather the community's tolerance of people who choose to live such.
4. Insurance (looks like it is significantly cheaper than Florida!) - FYI - I am with USAA.

I'm looking at working on/close to Fort Belvoir so I would prefer information that is specific to that area.

I appreciate any and all data.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tomrealest]

I believe you mean the Capital Yacht Club on Maine Ave in DC. I thought they had a waiting list for dockage.

Another possibility might be National Harbor, MD (NationalHarbor.com) dockmaster Eric. Easy drive to Ft Belvoir. Google Occuquan, VA marinas. It is very near the base and the closest to the Chesapeake Bay where the best cruising is.

Don't know much about registration in VA except you need to check on the local "Personal Property tax". It can be a killer.

Every state is looking to collect a sales tax from you on the value of the boat if they can get it out of you.

2. Plenty of good diesel mechanics for your 8v92's.
3. Not a problem in some marinas. You'll get used to dressing in layers while on the boat. They have little to no insulation. It can stay in the 20's or teens for a few days. Uusally 30's or 40's.
4. Insurance will be 50% less.

my e-mail is tomrealest@aol.com

 

[krush]

Quantico has a marina--check that out too. Occoquan, Fairfax Yacht Club, and all that are you next closest bet. The further north you go, the more $$$ it will be. However, you don't want to get too far South because of the horrible traffic. My home is Aquia Creek.

Whether is mild and if you have enclosed bridge you can definetly boat year around. A few weeks in Jan or Feb are in the 20's, but it usually stays mostly above freezing in the winter.

Property tax is county dependent. Some counties didn't have boat tax...check it out.

All the marinas around Northern VA were full during the bubble, but I bet during this finanical mess there will be some openings soon. Mind you, it may take a while because of all the leeches that suck off uncle sam that live in the area.

 

[dreamweaver66]

I'M pretty sure National Harbor doesn't allow liveaboards. I'm one of the Captain's that run Tow Boat from NH.

 

[MikeP]

I used to work in DC - just a few blocks from Capital Marina and two guys I worked with lived aboard boats at that Marina. Of course, that was a while ago so the rules may have changed. It is also possible that although many marina's have rules against live aboards, they ignore them unless there is a problem. My last marina on Long Island did not permit liveaboards but there were several all-year around with no issues.

Re cruising on the Potomac - when I was there I went out with my friends a few times and frankly I found nothing there to be of interest after several cruises. But that's a personal taste thing. I'd put the boat in the Chesapeake but of course the commute will be the issue...

 

[krush]

The nice thing about being a little further South on the Potomac is that it's not too big of a deal to get to the bay.

 

[stormchaser]

check out marinas in Deale or Galesville. Its about 45 min drive to DC or 20 min to the closest metro station...and the marinas are nice, priced right (100/ft/yr at my marina). Its gorgeous here and only 20min to the bay.