Washington Sailing Marina Launch (Arlington, VA)
FIG. 1A view of the Potomac from the Washington Sailing
Marina Launch
(to view a
land photo:
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FIG.
1B Ariel view of launch area
Sometimes referred to as Daingerfield Island, this launch
is on
the Virginia side of the Potomac
river just south of Reagan National
Airport and just North of the city of Alexandria and just off the
George
Washington Memorial Parkway. Unlike the Belle Haven
Marina launch, this
launch is within the capital beltway I495.
The Marina's website is
http://www.washingtonsailingmarina.com/
and
driving directions to this
launch are found at
http://www.washingtonsailingmarina.com/directions.html.
In short, this
marina/launch is on the river side of the
GW parkway 0.75 miles north of the
city
of Alexandria and about
1 mile south of Reagan National Airport.
Upon entering the marina on Marina Dr and facing the river, you
will reach a fork in the road.
FIG. 2 Fork in road @ entrance to WSM
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Bear LEFT and continue until almost
reaching the paved parking lot.
Make a right hand turn at the guard shed
shortly before reaching the
paved parking lot. The proper fee is $4
for a car top launch.
Pay the guard, he will open the gate and let you in.
FIG. 3 View of guard shed (toll booth) at right and parking lot at left
Continue straight and make the LAST left. Proceed to the water's edge
where the ramps are. Unload your gear here on the pavement.
FIG. 4 view of paved rig area - launch to the right (not shown)
To the right
of the ramps while facing the water is a sandy/pebbly beach
with a tree
overhang. You can launch from here or from the ramps or the
docks between
the ramps. After dumping
your gear off, proceed back
to the gate with the
car and park in the gravel just before you made
the last left turn.
FIG. 5 view of small gravel launch area under tree-paved rigging area
to the
right (not illustrated) (to view a photo:
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Amenities include a
restaurant (Indigo), a HOT shower, and a non-sandy
rigging area. Technically, you are not supposed to launch from the grassy
area along the sea
wall.
Launch faces NE so NW CW thru SE are preferred wind
directions.
Due note that there is a
large jetty or pier sticking out from
Reagan National
airport (upon which the approach lights
are mounted), so you
must navigate
around this (i.e., sail around the SE terminus thereof).
FIG. 6 view of launch area (to the right of the ramp under the tree) and
the
long jetty in
the Potomac for runway airplane approach lights
(to view a photo:
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Booties are necessary and a weed fin is also best for this launch
Site used to be popular windsurfing site years ago and
still is although
the numbers are dwindling.
As with Belle Haven Marina launch, issues at this launch include
1) water
pollution problems,
but only after significant rains,
2) a current that pulls
you southward, 3) lots of weeds in the
mid to late summer and early autumn, 4)
must negotiate
around other boat traffic.
The marina is in Alexandria, VA, but the entire Potomac
river is in
Washington, DC, the
border being at the shore line.