Planning on getting out of Aquia Creek; Occoquan Harbor Marina

[Ethan's Tank]

My marina is falling apart....
That pretty sums it all, I have been at Aquia Bay Marina for 6 yrs now and its falling apart. I opted for here because it was once a decent marina with a floating dock, but mgmt and owner will not fix or upgrade it. I am at the point of just getting out. I like south potomac, but I am willing to go north slightly.
My research has brought me inquire more about Occoquan Harbor Marina, I read on their site they have floating docks, yet I do not see any reviews nor pricing on their website.

I was wondering if anybody slips there or has been there in the past recently, and let me know their opinion.

 

[Mikemapva]

I've been on the Occoquan since 2005 and I'll give you my opinion on the 4 marinas within close proximity to each other on the Occoquan.

Occoquan Harbor:
Pros
Onsite fuel (I believe 24 hour availability) and restaurant
Floating docks
Onsite haul out and mechanical repair ability and winter storage
OK slip fees (based on an inquiry from several years ago.

Cons
No real security for the boats - i.e.-restaurant patrons
Farthest of the 4 to the end of the no wake zone- but still not far

Captain John S. Beach:
Pros
Onsite fuel - open during business hours only
Floating docks
Ability to haul out and winter store (may have to contract haul out for your size boat
Allows outside contractors for mechanical repair
Fenced/gated access
Reasonable price for slips
Cons
Amenities are limited i.e. - restrooms, etc.
3rd farthest from the end of the no wake zone.

Fairfax Yacht Club
Pros
Floating docks
Nice amenities
Variable slip prices. This is a condo ownership marina, so rent is what the individual owner will charge.
Allows outside contractors for mechanical repair
Fenced/gated access
Cons
No fuel dock
No haul out
2nd farthest from the end of the no wake zone

Belmont Bay Harbor Marina
Pros
Onsite fuel (with bikini clad attendants during the summer)
Floating docks
Nice amenities
Fenced/gated access
Closest to the end of the no wake zone (just outside of marina)
Cons
High slip prices

Let me know if you want more information

 

[Ethan's Tank]

I've been on the Occoquan since 2005 and I'll give you my opinion on the 4 marinas within close proximity to each other on the Occoquan.


Pros
Onsite fuel (with bikini clad attendants during the summer)
Floating docks
Nice amenities
Fenced/gated access
Closest to the end of the no wake zone (just outside of marina)
Cons
High slip prices

Let me know if you want more information

I think the bikini clad attendants is the upcharge for the high slip fees!

So I got an email back from Bob over at Occoquan, seems like they charge for slip size, rather than LOA. $4875 + meter electric 35' slip
$5625 + meter electric 40' slip
*not sure how much electric would be, given I live on my boat over the weekends Friday night-Sun

I currently pay at Aquia Bay, I pay $3429 electric and water included for full year.
Potomac a bit cleaner down near me, but 2 main reasons I'm leaving;
The float dock is literally falling apart and they've been promising to fix it for years. Its bad to the point where the finger piers welds have broken off and they are using rope to hold them together. The concrete slab are broken apart, where a slip holder actually fell through to the water. I'm going to find some authority in VA to get that inspected cause its real dangerous.
The second is my son is almost 10 and really has no one to play with down there. Since the docks are falling apart, not my families are sticking around there. The old folks just tie up to the fixed docks and just bbq and drink all day, but they have NO KIDS.

So, my questions.
How is the atmosphere on that part of the potomac? young couples? old folks? families? etc. I'm in my early 40s and we like to party and like to chill with ppl.
Any amenities? Pools, river beaches, bbq area, etc
public/private ramps?
How far till the end of No wake zone?
24hr access to slipholders?
Allowed to work on boat when its on blocks?
Bugs? [my marina is infested with spiders/wasp/gnats, good thing my searay is tightly sealed since most of the bugs are in the cockpit area, but its horrid to hang out on the docks]

BTW, thanks for the writeup, Mikemapva

 

[Mikemapva]

I think the bikini clad attendants is the upcharge for the high slip fees! I think you're right!

So I got an email back from Bob over at Occoquan, seems like they charge for slip size, rather than LOA. $4875 + meter electric 35' slip
$5625 + meter electric 40' slip
*not sure how much electric would be, given I live on my boat over the weekends Friday night-Sun. I think that all of the marinas charge for electric, and may charge for the price of the slip rather than boat length. Fairfax Yacht Club has bylaws that prohibit your LOA from being bigger than the slip. So a 35' boat with an LOA of 36' isn't allowed in a 35' slip. I can't remember how the others work.

I currently pay at Aquia Bay, I pay $3429 electric and water included for full year.
Potomac a bit cleaner down near me, but 2 main reasons I'm leaving;
The float dock is literally falling apart and they've been promising to fix it for years. Its bad to the point where the finger piers welds have broken off and they are using rope to hold them together. The concrete slab are broken apart, where a slip holder actually fell through to the water. I'm going to find some authority in VA to get that inspected cause its real dangerous.
The second is my son is almost 10 and really has no one to play with down there. Since the docks are falling apart, not my families are sticking around there. The old folks just tie up to the fixed docks and just bbq and drink all day, but they have NO KIDS.

So, my questions.
How is the atmosphere on that part of the potomac? young couples? old folks? families? etc. I'm in my early 40s and we like to party and like to chill with ppl. There is a pretty big mix of people hitting all the ages you mention above. Big weekend party hangout about 1 mile from end of no wake zone called Belmont Bay. Also, party groups at the different marinas.
Any amenities? Pools, river beaches, bbq area, etc
public/private ramps? None of the marinas have a pool, except Belmont Bay may get you access, but not sure. All have BBQ, no real beaches at any marinas.
How far till the end of No wake zone? From the farthest marina, no more than like 10 minutes.
24hr access to slipholders? Yes to all
Allowed to work on boat when its on blocks? Yes, at Captain John S. Beach. Not sure of the others
Bugs? [my marina is infested with spiders/wasp/gnats, good thing my searay is tightly sealed since most of the bugs are in the cockpit area, but its horrid to hang out on the docks] Not usually that bad, but sometimes it can be.

BTW, thanks for the writeup, Mikemapva

You're very welcome!