Lower Potomac river with a Mac 25? Any thoughts or experiences to share?

[DragonflyMac25]

Hello all! I shared on another thread we are heading into our 2nd season with our Mac 25. Last year, we sailed from a slip at Lake Anna, VA. Although nice being in a slip not far away, the sailing was not great. Even on windy days the wind is very inconsistant.

For this year, we are looking to sail on the potomac and maybe even into the bay.

Currently leaning towards Olversons marina on the lower potomac.

Additional info about our considerations.

The bottom is done with VC performance epoxy. No anti fouling/anti growth. So would be dry sailed only spending at most a few days at a time in a slip.

We also have a camper so someplace where we can sail by day and camp at night seems ideal.

Seeking thought, opinions, or experiences anyone has to share on the marina or that area for sailing.

Thanks!

[beechkingd]

As I mentioned previously in another post about your boat, we keep our X in Colonial Beach in a slip. You will have massive barnacle growth mid summer if you don't have proper bottom paint. I used cheap paint once and seriously regretted it when I hauled out in the fall. It's pretty cheap in the Colonial Beach area at some of the marinas, I pay $85 a month at the one I'm in now and previously was at $130 a month but with some better amenities.

The wind is way better in the CB area than it is farther north. I had a Mac 25 several years ago in Aquia Creek and the wind was terrible in that section of the Potomac. The high banks of the river and the prevailing wind direction played a big part of that IMO. I have noticed the wind really drops off at surface level north of the 301 bridge coming from Colonial Beach.

[DragonflyMac25]

Thank you for the feedback on your experience!

Definately tells me I cannot leave it in the Potomac water with my current bottom paint.

To share, I spoke with Olverson's and they are set up for exactly what I was looking for.
Dry storage for the boat on the trailer rigged and ready.
Water and electric campsites for our camper. Limited space so must reserve in advance.
Can overnight and sail by day and camp at night.

So in a few weeks, after I finish a few preps for this season, I'll be going there.

[NiceAft]

I keep reading this thread because we are taking a ten day cruise on the Chesapeake, and would like to meet up with some Mac’s, but the farthest south we are going is Chesapeake Beach.

We will be at Havre De Grace, Rock Hall, St. Michael’s, Chesapeake Beach, Annapolis, Inner Harbor Baltimore, and back to Havre De Grace.

[mwylia]

We've slipped our boat at Olverson's several times over the last couple of years. Wonderful folks, although Fred Olverson died last August so there may be some changes (Hopefully not!). There are several live aboards on the various docks and all are extremely friendly and helpful at least in our experience. There's not a great deal of services in the Calleo area but Deltaville isn't too far away. We liked the area so much that we ended up buying a house in Reedville.

The docks at Olverson's are well protected unless the wind is from the west. If we had ended up buying a home further north, we would have definitely kept our boat there. Obviously I'm biased but I think you've made a good choice.

Enjoy the summer,

Mike