Changing Marinas on Potomac River - Opinions?

A

AllTideUp

Member
May 6, 2013
200
Northern Virginia
Boat Info
2003 SeaRay 380 Sundancer
Engines
8.1s - 370HP
Hey all,

Been looking at marinas along the Potomac River and have been thinking of moving the boat. I'm currently docked in the Occoquan at Captain John Beach and was looking to move into Aquia Creek. We are really looking hard a Hope Springs Marina and wanted to see what you guys thought of not only the marina but full time boating around there.

I like Ricks, Wades Bay, Port Tobacco and the possibility of monthly runs to colonial beach and such but I've mostly boated (for the last 5 years) on the Potomac in the upper river making occasional trips south.

Thanks!
 
I was previously docked at Easy Cruz marina in Occoquan and moved south to Stafford since I live 10 minutes from my new marina.

Myself and Ethan's tank are at Aquia Bay Marina, it's the first marina in Aquia creek and is less than 100 yards from end of the No Wake. While their Amenities aren't as plentiful as Hope Springs, it is a small private marina with a nice clubhouse that anyone can use. They are cheaper than Hope Springs, they do not charge extra for your boat for swim platform/bow pulpit... if you have a 34 ft boat you pay for a 34 ft boat, not 37 because of the added length of your swim platform etc. They also do not charge extra for trailer storage like most marinas do, and for winter storage there is no fee for that other than what you pay for haul out. Also since it is a private Marina you will not have the weekend crowds trying to launch their boats at the boat ramp, and believe me, Hope Springs gets BUSY at their ramp. Only Marina slip holders and their friends can launch from the boat ramp there. Gas prices stay steady throughout the year, Hope Springs I am told fluctuates ALOT. All summer ours never went over 3.99, oddly enough diesel prices were cheaper than gas. They have a floating dock which is being replaced over the winter and they also have two fixed docks. I would say there is probably about 70-80 boats at our Marina.

I am also told that if you are at hope springs it takes about 30 minutes to get to the no wake section of the creek, while that gives you plenty of time to get situated on board, I prefer my 2-3 minute time to the end of the No Wake.

The marina staff is limited these days since it is the off season and they are only there a few days a week but if you are able to reach someone George is the Manager and you can tell him Mike and Wai (Ethan's Tank - his name is pronounced - "Y") told you to check it out.

Having said all of that, I am partial to Aquia Bay Marina because I dock there, Man Cave II is on the boards here and he uses the boatel at Hope Springs, so he may have some more insight on Hope Springs.
 
I may a bit biased :smt001, but I wanted to clear up a few misconceptions...
Hope Springs is less than 1/2 mile from aquia bay marina by water. Maybe 10 minutes(and thats a huge stretch) to the end of the no wake zone. IMHO, that 10 minutes additional warm up time is probably one of the best things you can do for the longevity of marine engines. I will usually idle a bit longer past the no wake signs.
Hope Springs fuel prices are typically among the cheapest on the river. While they may fluctuate, I believe they ended the season at $3.39. I actually thought most of the Aquia Bay customers came over to Hope Springs for fuel as I have had conversations with several of them at the Hope Springs pumps. Parking is a bit limited at times, however that is not affected by the trailered boats. Trucks and trailers have a separate parking area. I typically show up a bit later in the afternoon than most and have never been unable to find a parking spot. The new bath house is absolutely first class with a gym and laundry facilities and they have recently purchased a hydrilla cutter. Moving forward, Hope Springs should be mostly hydrilla free.
 
See I knew someone from hope springs would have some input. :) as I stated I am partial to my marina since I am docked there... having said that my marina definitely does not have a hydrilla cutter so I am definitely jealous of that feature...
 
And thanks for pointing out the fuel prices... that much of a difference and I might fuel up there too... during the peak season I called and I thought it was higher at hope springs so next season I will likely check with them before I fuel up...
 
bankyf said:
I may a bit biased :smt001, but I wanted to clear up a few misconceptions...
Hope Springs is less than 1/2 mile from aquia bay marina by water. Maybe 10 minutes(and thats a huge stretch) to the end of the no wake zone. IMHO, that 10 minutes additional warm up time is probably one of the best things you can do for the longevity of marine engines. I will usually idle a bit longer past the no wake signs.
Hope Springs fuel prices are typically among the cheapest on the river. While they may fluctuate, I believe they ended the season at $3.39. I actually thought most of the Aquia Bay customers came over to Hope Springs for fuel as I have had conversations with several of them at the Hope Springs pumps. Parking is a bit limited at times, however that is not affected by the trailered boats. Trucks and trailers have a separate parking area. I typically show up a bit later in the afternoon than most and have never been unable to find a parking spot. The new bath house is absolutely first class with a gym and laundry facilities and they have recently purchased a hydrilla cutter. Moving forward, Hope Springs should be mostly hydrilla free.
Click to expand...

+1 on this.

I've also been at Hope Springs for the last 3 years, and agree, at most, we're about ten mintues to the end of the No-Wake zone in the creek. Gas prices may fluctuate a bit, based on the price of fuel at the time the main marina tanks are filled, but overall I think the average is best on the river. Weekend boat ramp traffic is negligible, unless you're facing it on "F" Dock adjacent to the ramp....otherwise, you just notice them making their way to/from the rail bridge with everyone else.

Come on down to Hope Springs. Based on what you state you'd like to do down this end of the river, you'll love it.
 
I think it's all been covered on Hope Springs. Only wish it were a bit cheaper and I understand the prices are probably going up for 2015.
 
AllTideUp said:
Hey all,

Been looking at marinas along the Potomac River and have been thinking of moving the boat. I'm currently docked in the Occoquan at Captain John Beach and was looking to move into Aquia Creek. We are really looking hard a Hope Springs Marina and wanted to see what you guys thought of not only the marina but full time boating around there.

I like Ricks, Wades Bay, Port Tobacco and the possibility of monthly runs to colonial beach and such but I've mostly boated (for the last 5 years) on the Potomac in the upper river making occasional trips south.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm next door to your Captain John Beach location at FYC and here's my opinion. I think your biggest issue is where you live, and how far you want to drive to get to the boat. I live in Northern Fairfax County and it takes me 45 minutes on the weekend to get to my boat on the Occoquan. The way that 95 and Rte 1 are backed up, it would easily take me double the time (or more) to get to the boat whether on a weeknight, or on a weekend. That would would drive me crazy, and for that reason, it's not worth it for us to save the money to move down to Stafford.

Location wise, the Occoquan means you're an hour and a half to DC to the North, and an hour and a half to Colonial Beach to the south. Sort of a nice in the middle location.

I've been up Aquia Creek all the way to Aquia Harbor marina and it is pretty, but as I mentioned, it just doesn't work location wise for me.

Mike
 
I agree about the traffic heading south. Maybe if you leave at 3:00 A.M. it might be doable but even on weekday mornings 95 South can be bad. Weekend mornings are horrible, especially in the Summer.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I really like the look of Hope Springs. I checked out Aquia Bay but not sure that it fits my style of boating. They also seemed similar in price to Hope Springs.

The biggest draw for me to Aquia Bay was the floating dock, but for the money I was not impressed, and the owner said they may be changing prices for the floating dock in coming years.

We have a sort of party dock at captain john beach, and was told that C/D dock is the place to be for that atmosphere.
 
Where do people go to raft up in that area of the potomac. I've been to Wades several times and while nice I don't see a lot of raft ups like I do in Belmont Bay.

I've been down to the Fairview area several times but I just haven't found where everyone rafts up for the weekend. I see some near Ricks and Tims but it seems to get a little rough there at times.

Thanks!
 
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