Delivery this saturday at PWM

[estoltz]

So we take delivery of our first boat this Saturday at Prince William Marine. I'm excited but the admiral is nervous (as she usually is on these new adventures). We figured we would get the lay of the land if the weather is good and maybe venture up to national harbor and then down to Tim's for dinner. We haven't decided if we are going to try staying on the hook or coming back and hang out at the dock. Maybe Brunch at the Electric Palm. Anyone else going out this weekend? We haven't even picked out our slip yet. Any recommendations on that one from PWM members?
M

 

[Quint4]

Okay, okay...I'll bite. 650fly or a 180 bow rider?

 

[estoltz]

2005 260 da.

 

[Strecker25]

get some pictures!

 

[ZZ13]

Congrats. I've been on most all the docks at PWM as a transient (they serviced my boat but I didn't keep it at their marina). I don't remember there lettering, but I preferred anything from the fuel dock down to the boatel (about 5 docks worth). Once you get to the pool you have to turn a tight corner into shallow water and there isn't much maneuvering room along those docks. Plus the TV reception is awful down there.

 

[estoltz]

yeah I'm looking at the floating docks over the fixed docks and hopefully I don't get tucked behind the trees. The pics from the survey are at the house so I'll have to put them up later.

 

[estoltz]

Wife took a pick during the survey. I didn't realize boats this size are still forklifted.

 

[Hifirush]

Good looking boat!! Congrats!

Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ZZ13]

Estoltz, when I bought my 300DA from PWM my maiden voyage was the exact route you are considering. I had never operated that sized boat before. Its a pretty safe ride, although I recommend to stay in the marked channel and not try to cut corners. And look out for floating debris this time of year. Also, we liked to stay on the hook in Mattawoman Creek. Easy in and out, well protected and usually lots of other boaters there to look at.

 

[estoltz]

Estoltz, when I bought my 300DA from PWM my maiden voyage was the exact route you are considering. I had never operated that sized boat before. Its a pretty safe ride, although I recommend to stay in the marked channel and not try to cut corners. And look out for floating debris this time of year. Also, we liked to stay on the hook in Mattawoman Creek. Easy in and out, well protected and usually lots of other boaters there to look at.

ZZ13 that's what we were considering if we stayed on the hook.

 

[WDCboater]

Congrats on the new boat. I've bought both of my SeaRays from PWM. Your salesman will do a good job with some on water training.

I prefer floating docks (and that's what we have up in DC), but it will take some practice to get used to PWM's tight channels. The wind will catch you very quickly if you're not paying close attention.

When I take my 350 down for work I usually like to dock on L Dock, which is fixed, but I find there's a bit more elbow room over there. With the 260 I'd definitely go for the floating docks.

They will fork lift everything up to about a 310. When I did my survey on the 350 their lift was being repaired and they used the forklift. They literally just brought it out of the water enough for the surveyor to do what he needed to do.

From PWM to National Harbor it will take about 60-90 minutes (including the long no-wake zone). Watch out for debris this time of year. Also, if you go NORTH of the Wilson Bridge make sure you have a Boater Safety ID card. It's required in DC waters and DC controls the river until you hit the Virginia shore. (Boardings in DC are frequent)

One other tip: take PWM's maintenance class. It's free and totally worth it. Doug and Mike usually teach it and they'll go over everything you need to know about the mechanics of your boat and its systems.

Unfortunately we're still winterized up at James Creek. The marina's water lines froze over the winter and they are undergoing major repairs. We won't have dock water until Friday at the earliest.

 

[themikehyde]

Congrats! When you venture down below the 301 bridge, let me know. If you have an iPhone or iPad, I would recommend getting navionics, so you can familiarize yourself with the area before hand.
Mike & Terri

 

[Ray Ray]

Congrats! When you venture down below the 301 bridge, let me know. If you have an iPhone or iPad, I would recommend getting navionics, so you can familiarize yourself with the area before hand.
Mike & Terri

+1.....Would also recommend Active Captain as a river aide as well, if not already familiiar with it.

Congrats, and welcome to the PWM family

 

[estoltz]

Congrats! When you venture down below the 301 bridge, let me know. If you have an iPhone or iPad, I would recommend getting navionics, so you can familiarize yourself with the area before hand.
Mike & Terri

Mike I will definitely hit you up and the first round is on my if you can educate my on some of the electronics. While I am an IT professional there seems to be a lot of different compatibility issues. Has the marine electronics industry never heard of standards?

 

[estoltz]

+1.....Would also recommend Active Captain as a river aide as well, if not already familiiar with it.

Congrats, and welcome to the PWM family

Ray Ray,

Thanks for the tip. I have looked at active captain a little bit but I need to figure out how it will fit into my operating process.

 

[estoltz]

Congrats on the new boat. I've bought both of my SeaRays from PWM. Your salesman will do a good job with some on water training.

I prefer floating docks (and that's what we have up in DC), but it will take some practice to get used to PWM's tight channels. The wind will catch you very quickly if you're not paying close attention.

When I take my 350 down for work I usually like to dock on L Dock, which is fixed, but I find there's a bit more elbow room over there. With the 260 I'd definitely go for the floating docks.

They will fork lift everything up to about a 310. When I did my survey on the 350 their lift was being repaired and they used the forklift. They literally just brought it out of the water enough for the surveyor to do what he needed to do.

From PWM to National Harbor it will take about 60-90 minutes (including the long no-wake zone). Watch out for debris this time of year. Also, if you go NORTH of the Wilson Bridge make sure you have a Boater Safety ID card. It's required in DC waters and DC controls the river until you hit the Virginia shore. (Boardings in DC are frequent)

One other tip: take PWM's maintenance class. It's free and totally worth it. Doug and Mike usually teach it and they'll go over everything you need to know about the mechanics of your boat and its systems.

Unfortunately we're still winterized up at James Creek. The marina's water lines froze over the winter and they are undergoing major repairs. We won't have dock water until Friday at the earliest.

Ryan,

Yeah we are looking at the floating docks too. We may be up in your area Saturday. Quick question. If I was going to pick up something from the Maine Ave Seafood Market is there a place to temporarily tie off to? I'm already planning on taking their maintenance class. I assume you are taking about the certificate and card that I printed out after completing the online safety course from boatus.org?

 

[blaster]

Congratulations on your purchase. I was out last weekend and the water was really muddy, like chocolate milk. I saw some floating debris but not much. Its the stuff you can't see that you have to worry about. Hopefully it won't be as windy and rough this weekend.

I plan to go out but I have to fit it in between the kids softball game, field hockey, and the annual peep harvest at great country farm. I might go early morning and do a half day. The weather report for this weekend looks promising.

As far as the wharf goes, they are doing a lot of construction in the area of the Washington channel. I think with your size boat you can dock at the gangplank marina but I haven't been there this year, so call ahead. The dock masters name is Jeremy. It used to be free to stay until 11:00 PM but like I said they are changing everything on the SW waterfront, so call ahead.

Good luck with everything on your maiden voyage.

 

[WDCboater]

Ryan,

Yeah we are looking at the floating docks too. We may be up in your area Saturday. Quick question. If I was going to pick up something from the Maine Ave Seafood Market is there a place to temporarily tie off to? I'm already planning on taking their maintenance class. I assume you are taking about the certificate and card that I printed out after completing the online safety course from boatus.org?

That's the boater safety card. Just make sure you have it on board. DC Harbor Patrol and Coast Guard boats regularly sit at the opening of Washington Channel right where the Potomac and Anacostia come together. (Coast guard boats are orange. MPD boats are black/blue) Especially early in the season they will stop you to do a safety check. They'll look for life jackets, flares, etc. If you do a USCG Auxiliary Safety Check and get the sticker you will get a form from the Auxiliary officer who conducted your check. Show that to the officer who board you and for 90 days they pretty much will just ask to see your safety ID card, maybe life jackets, and they'll let you be on your way. In my experience the USCG crews are very friendly and very professional.

Only one of the businesses at the Fish Market has a small dock to tie up to and I've never done it because there's usually a dingy or two tied up. What's happening on the SW waterfront will be great for boaters when it's completed. They're building a large dock that will come out into the channel that you'll be able to tie up to. (Much bigger than Georgetown) Once that's complete there will be restaurants, hotels, shops, etc. I think the first phase is supposed to be done by 2017. (Here's the website: http://www.thewharfdc.com)

The amenities aren't the greatest, but James Creek is a simple marine to get in/out of in DC if you're looking for a transient slip. It's a 5 minute walk to Nats Park and about a 10-15 min. walk to the Navy Yard Metro. It's not the best neighborhood at night, so I recommend a cab. The marina itself is safe, it's the walk from the metro to the marina that's sketchy. DC United's new stadium is going right outside of the marina so the neighborhood will soon change.

If you're coming up this way don't overlook the Alexandria City Dock. There's countless restaurants and shops that you can walk to.

 

[Mikemapva]

Congrats,

You've received a lot of good information on this thread! PWM has a nice marina, and it's great to have their support on hand in the marina. Gas prices are good too with the discount card you'll receive.

One time, we did tie up at the Wharf in DC long enough to pick up some food, but that was before the construction started.

Hope to see you on the river as you'll be passing my marina every time you head out of the no wake zone on the Occoquan.

Mike

 

[estoltz]

Congrats,

You've received a lot of good information on this thread! PWM has a nice marina, and it's great to have their support on hand in the marina. Gas prices are good too with the discount card you'll receive.

One time, we did tie up at the Wharf in DC long enough to pick up some food, but that was before the construction started.

Hope to see you on the river as you'll be passing my marina every time you head out of the no wake zone on the Occoquan.

Mike

We pass 4 or 5 on the way out. Which one are you in. I know of occoquan harbor, fairfax, and Belmont bay.