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Discover Washington, DC

Welcome to your gateway to Washington DC and Potomac River boating. Gangplank Marina has a long history as the premier marina in DC. waters and is serves not only Washington but also all of the Northern Virginia and Maryland Suburbs.

Location and Access

Carefree Boat Club at Gangplank Marina is located on Washington Channel which runs along Maine Avenue, just east of the Tidal Basin. On the south side of Washington Channel is East Potomac Park, a peninsula ending at its eastern tip at Haines Point. The eastern end of Washington Channel meets with the mouth of the Annacostia River, and together they flow into the Potomac. Washington DC is 110 miles up the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay.

Marina Amenities

At the Gangplank you will find a private party pier available only to marina slip holders and members of Carefree Boat Club. It is a perfect place to plan your special waterfront dining cookout or party. There are also several waterfront restaurants and bars in this area of Southwest DC, including Phillips famous Crabhouse, King's Ribs, the historic Southwest DC Fish Market, Jenny’s Asian Fusion, Pier 7, Cantina Marina and many more.

Gangplank Maria is home to Washington DC’s fleet of dinner cruise and party cruise boats. When you’re done captaining your boat, entertain your party on a cruise on the Odyssey or Spirit Line cruise boats. The historic Presidential Yacht Sequoia docks next to the club’s dock and is available for charter. U.S. Presidents beginning with Franklin D. Roosevelt have had important meetings and pleasurable outings on the Sequoia Presidential Yacht.

In addition you will find the following amenities:

• Floating docks and piers
• Parking lot and gate security provided by licensed Security Company
• Marina is totally gated for personal security
• Courtesy Dock Carts
• Laundry
• Pump out system on the dock (you don’t have to go to a fuel pier - we come to you)
• Waste Oil facilities
• Restrooms and Showers

Things to Do Near the Marina

The Carefree Boat Club in Washington DC gives you easy access to relaxed boating or exciting activities. You may choose to cruise upstream past the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Memorial Bridge, Kennedy Center, the Ronald Reagan National Airport, the Georgetown Waterfront, and Key Bridge to the popular anchorage at Three Sisters Island on the Potomac River. Go further upriver as far as Fletcher’s Boat House where there is great shad fishing.

Water skiing and Tubing are popular watersports between the 14th Street Bridge and Memorial Bridge. This watersports area is in front of Columbia Island Marina, along the George Washington Parkway, and is in front of the Pentagon.

If you head south down the Potomac from Gangplank Marina you will pass historic the Alexandria, VA waterfront, with it’s famous Old Town, Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Dominion Boat Club, the oldest yacht club in the U.S. Continue down the Potomac and you will pass under the impressive Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

National Harbor, a new city built along the Potomac in Oxen Hill MD, has major hotels including Aloft, Gaylord National, Wyndham, Hampton Inn & Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Westin Hotel. Gaylord National Hotel includes the largest conference center and convention center in the Washington DC area. Past here, you will pass historic Fort Washington on your left or port side and Mount Vernon on your right or starboard side. As you continue downstream the river opens up and gives you unlimited options for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, fishing, skiing, tubing or just throwing the anchor and going for a swim.

As you head back to the club you will no doubt want to take a short detour up the Anacostia River to see the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium. You’ll also be able to spot the Library of Congress and U.S. Supreme Court, which are within view of the river.

Available Boats

Members have access to an unrivaled fleet of boats at our DC location. These boats are never for rent to the public and they are not for sale. They are exclusively for use by our members. Visit our boats page for full fleet details.

Become a Member

Call 866-262-8322
Contact our membership director (using the form at right) to schedule a tour