Heading to Washington DC area & need advice on liveaboards

[Raider08tmhm]

Hello! I am a Marine about to transfer from Monterey, CA, to Quantico, VA (near Washington DC). This is my last tour in the military before I retire and I would like to transition to life "off the hard." Unfortunately though, I have no knowledge of how to purchase/rent a boat for liveaboard, or how to find a marina that supports this lifestyle. Is there anyone who can aid me in this process and steer me in the right direction for gathering information?

Thank you!

Trey

[dennisjay]

To familiarize yourself with the liveaboard lifestyle, you might start by reading Liveaboard magazine, which is available online. They also have a forum (like this one) that has a lot of good information.

Once you get to Virginia, you might want to check out the marinas near Occoquan. There are three there, but I don't know if any allow liveaboards. But if so, just start walking the docks and talk to people. Liveaboards tend to be a friendly bunch.

[Dcamp9709]

There are a couple marinas in downtown DC (off Maine Ave) Gangplank is one that allow livaboards

[Amapola]

There's a large marina in Woodbridge, VA just a few miles from Quantico where you can explore the boating world.

[GeoPowers]

I don't think the marinas near Woodbridge or the Occoquan are live aboard friendly, plus I'm pretty sure they regularly freeze up for a good part of most winters ( but not this one).

If you are looking at more of a local cruising type experience I would recommend a marina in the bay. I work downtown and the commute is similar to when I lived in Stafford in my pre-live aboard days. If you just want a floating condo then I'd get as close to dc as possible- such as Gangplank. You might want to check on wait times for slip availability, and check on how the locals get through winter.

Frank

[Philipclem]

Go to yachworld.com and search boats for sale in the area. This will lead you to some marinas, etc. Some have transferable slip rental. It will probably be tough to find the boat you want in the place you want. Not a big issue since boats can move Check out marinas around Annapolis MD as well. With the naval academy there, living on boats is pretty common. The number of liveaboards there is tremendous--and many for sale. Always employ your own surveyor and ask about Captain Training for your new boat (offered by many marinas free of charge with purchase). A good way to get to know your new home. Walk some docks and talk to as many people as you can.

[Katiusha]

When we sailed up the Potomac, we unknowningly turned into MCB Quantico Marina for some diesel. They were very nice, but turned us away. Now we know what MCB stands for.

In any case, there were quite a few boats, and some looked lived in. Maybe worth checking it out.

[GeoPowers]

No bases I know of allow liveaboards (officially). Too bad because they have some fantastic rates if you can get past the very long typical wait lists...

Frank

[svpattyd]

Deltaville is not too far away from Quantico. Kinsale and up the Potomac has many marinas.

[raybrett]

There are some livaeabords at Cobb Island MD and Colonial Beach VA. Those are the closest to Quantico I can think of, about sixty miles. Deltaville and Kinsale would be a longer drive than Annapolis to Quantico. I-95 to DC is the most congested highway in the U.S. I'd see if there are "sneak aboards" at rthe Quantico marina. It's sorta separate from the base.

[casual]

Welcome Aboard Marine.Liveing aboard is great as long as you like the neighborhood,most boat people are friendly and go out of there way to help one another,while still respecting privicy.Sail or Power,plan on crusing or just a base of operations,full retirement or second carrear?Best you go to the populated boat areas Annapolis and south along the bay lot's of Marina's.Go online search them out.More info is needed to help you with a boat purchase,When you decided what you want go online search this forum more info here than you'll need.PM me if you want
Semper FI

[Dcamp9709]

Let's start a former Marine cruising thread Semper Fi

[casual]

O Rah,I am in

[Doodles]

If you can go down the Potomac River to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay you'll find lots of places to live aboard. Our boat is at Olverson's Lodge Creek Marina in Lottsburg, Va. We have several liveaboards, its very cheap and you have access to the whole Bay for sailing.

[Carrierjason]

I knew Marines that were living at Quantico Marina, when I was stationed there. Pretty nice deal.