About the PRYCA

Aquia Harbour Yacht Club, formed in 1975, is based on Aquia Creek in Aquia Harbour near Stafford VA. With over 90 family members we have an active club and mark the beginning of each boating season with a "first on the water" boating trip to Alexandria VA in mid March of each year.You can contact us through our WEB page at http://www.ahyc.org.

The Washington Channel and Water Street were busy places in 1892 when the Capital Yacht Club was formed. The Club was founded by the original six members aboard the "M/V Alert," and soon afterwards a club house was built on a sand barge. The first Clubhouse on shore was constructed in 1923, and the current building was dedicated in 1974, and renovated in 1992. Comfortable and friendly atmosphere awaits for members, and guests and visiting boaters from around the world. The Clubhouse includes a full service bar, with a adjacent seating area, we offer a wide variety of beverages, a meeting and party room are also available. The Club facilities include shower and laundry machines. The marina consists of both floating and fixed docks, and can accommodate vessels from weekend cruisers to large vessels up to 220 feet. Electrical power includes 30 and 50 amp service for all slips and three phase 100 amp on the "T" piers. Cable television is provided complimentary, and telephone service is available for visiting vessels over 65 feet. Vessels choosing to anchor in the channel may use the yacht club facilities for a small fee. Visit our web site at http://www.capitalyachtclub.net.

The Cobb Island Yacht Club was organized in 1981 by Bob and Phyllis Dadd. The primary function was to publish a roster that included pertinent data of the cruising members as to call signs, addresses, boat identification and phone numbers. This enabled all concerned to be on call to aid one another on the high seas no matter what was the problem…and especially when the cooler was running low! And of course, then social functions, sparse that they were, became popular, thought not at this era’s present level. One event which remains to this day is the annual Memorial Day Kick-off boat-in and Cook-out at Puddleby on the Marsh. The bulletin board at Cobb Island Marina served as a communication center. Eventually, a newsletter was developed, people were elected to various positions and dues were imposed! Then, due to a change of ownership of the Cobb Island Marina, many of the membership found other berths and the club was not very active until the mid 90s. Finally the club was revitalized through the efforts of Don Thayer, Bernie Williams, Bill Parks and others, culminating in the club's admission to PRYCA.

Colonial Yacht Club, Colonial Beach, VA, was formed in October, 1973. The Town is located on the Potomac River about 40 miles north of Pt. Lookout and 65 miles south of Washington, D.C. The Colonial Beach Yacht Center is a full-service marina at the mouth of Monroe Bay and is home to many of the Club's members. CYC members also tie-up at Parker's Marina, Winkie Doodle Point Marina, Nightingale Motel and Marina and Stanford's Marine Railway - all in Monroe Bay; and Harborview Marina in Mattox Creek. The Club kicks off its boating season with an annual Flag-Raising ceremony at the Point the second Saturday in May. The Club participates in the Town's annual Potomac River Festival in June with a marching contingent and float, and sponsors the annual Boat Parade that same weekend. A lighted boat parade, started in 1999, has become a traditional event the first Saturday in December and is held in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce's "Santa Weekend." The Club schedules four to five cruises up and down the Potomac as well hold cookouts and dinner-meetings at various locations in the area. The Colonial Beach Yacht Center and Yacht Club members suffered two devastating losses which included a consuming fire in April 2002 and Hurricane Isabel in September 2003. Fifty-five boats were destroyed in the fire (22 belonging to Club members) and the Marina and Dockside Restaurant were virtually out of business due to Isabel. But, not for long! The Marina and restaurant are up and running and the Town itself -- with restaurants on the Bay and river -- is refurbished. A new restaurant on the boardwalk and the famous "Riverboat on the Potomac" off-track betting parlor and restaurant are being reconstructed. Colonial Beach is also a golf cart community and carts can be rented by boaters. E-mail: jlpurkey@aol.com or phone: (804)224-4145. Mail: P.O. Box 359, Colonial Beach, VA 22443. Web site: www.thecyc.com.

Corinthian Yacht Club (CYC) was founded in Washington, DC in 1903. We moved to our current clubhouse on Smith Creek in St. Mary's County, MD in 1971. We have approximately 115 members. Our close proximity to the mouth of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay at Point Lookout makes us an ideal stop-over for both cruisers and fisherman pursuing the bay's bounty. When cruising on the bay, we are approximately 75 miles north of Hampton, VA and approximately 75 miles south of Annapolis, MD. Our physical plant encompasses approximately 20 waterfront acres improved by a large clubhouse, swimming pool, cooking facilities, picnic area, showers, ice, TV, trailer-boat launching ramp, land storage for trailers, etc. There are several restaurants and a supermarket nearby. We have 3 covered boathouses with slips that accommodate yachts to 50 feet. We also maintain 3 open docks with the capability of accommodating transient vessels up to 110 feet. Most of our docks have new 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service. Corinthian was recently designated a "Maryland Clean Marina" by the Maryland Department of the Environment. It is our understanding that we are only the second yacht club to earn this distinction. For cruise arrangements to Corinthian, contact our Measurer, Paul Altman at 301/718-9467 or amyandpaul@comcast.net. For general information about Corinthian, please call 800/558-3290 and visit our web site at: www.cycchesapeake.com.

Dahlgren Yacht Club is a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) Organization at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, VA and is located on that facility. The club maintains a pier with berths, a bathhouse, a boat ramp and associated facilities and is supported solely with member dues and fees. It is located just south of the RT 301 Potomac River Bridge on Upper Machodoc Creek. We have about 230 members and a rather complete social calendar and racing schedule. We just joined PRYCA in 1997. Please visit our web site at http://www.dahlgrenyachtclub.org.

District Yacht Club (DYC) was founded in 1952 and is located on the Anacostia River north of the 11th street bridge in Washington, DC. DYC is a membership boat club with 43 slips, clubhouse, marine railway and shop facilities. Members enjoy several planned land-based and water-based social events throughout the year. The club takes pride in working closely with the US Park Service, Anacostia and environmental organizations in their goal to revitalize the Anacostia River. The Tee of the center dock is held open for transient boats and DYC welcomes visitors. Check out our web site at www.districtyachtclub.org.

Deeded in 1984 as the first condominium marina on the Potomac River, Fairfax Yacht Club is situated on what we like to think of as the prettiest spot on the Occoquan River. Completely surrounded by undeveloped property and county parkland, FYC is a first-class recreational facility with 170 slips designed with the active boating family in mind. Facilities include our clubhouse, landscaped grounds, showers and picnic areas. But the facilities are not the only story because several social functions are held throughout the year such as our Super Bowl Party, Summer Picnic, Annual Bar-B-Que and our Halloween and Christmas parties. We also gladly open our clubhouse to groups such as the Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary to teach boating safety courses. While we don’t have transient slips to offer, guests of our slip owners can be accommodated at our T-docks - please see Dockmaster Johnny Phelps. You can virtually visit us at our web page: http://www.fairfaxyachtclub.com and take a visual tour as well as read our latest newsletter at: http://www.fairfaxyachtclub.com/FYC_News/fyc_news.htm

The Fort Belvoir Yacht Club (FBYC) is located on Fort Belvoir just off Route 1 south of Alexandria, Virginia. The marina is actually on Dogue Creek just south of historic Mt Vernon. The FBYC was established over 24 years ago to promote social and recreational boating activities. During the boating season we have several overnight “raftups” (usually in Mattawoman Creek), cook outs, and other activities. The club is dedicated to seeking improvements in the Potomac River environment and to assisting in improving Fort Belvoir’s Marina Facility. The club seeks a strong relationship with local civilian yacht clubs and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and became a member of The Potomac River Yacht Club Association (PRYCA) in 1999. To find out more about us, please visit our web site at www.belvoirmwr.com\marina\fbyc where we have posted our schedule of activities for the year, club newsletters, and more.

The Fort Washington Boating Association, Inc. (FWBA) is the current incarnation of "that boat club on Piscataway Creek." Many of you know Fort Washington and Piscataway Creek as the place, five miles below the Wilson Bridge and just across the river from Mount Vernon, where PRYCA has held its annual summer Float-In. Previously a very small club of mid-sized motor cruisers, last year a multi-year effort to increase membership began and our numbers doubled to 50+. A similar effort is underway for this year and will include attracting the marina's sailboats into the club for both cruising and racing functions. We are also working on a plan to entice owners of smaller boats moored in the marina into yet another complement of our club. Please visit our web site at www.captainsfwba.org/ .

Landmark Yacht Club, as we now know it, was established in the latter part of 1955 as the Outboard Boating Club of the Greater Washington Area. At that time, most of the people involved lived in or near Washington and docked their boats at Columbia Island Marina. The club moved to Aquia Creek in 1959 where the existing clubhouse was constructed. It is now still is the center of our club activities. The name changed to DC Boating Club, and then in 1970, was renamed Landmark Yacht Club. Our burgee bears the symbol of the Washington Monument under which the club was originally formed. Landmark is one of two remaining charter members of the PRYCA. Visit our WEB page at www.landmarkyc.com.

After two years of seemingly endless construction, Mount Vernon Yacht Club’s new clubhouse was formally opened at ceremonies on Saturday, 23 June, with over 256 people in attendance. The brick built building, three stories high, commands sweeping views over the Club’s marina, out over Dogue Creek and south down the Potomac River. The bar area and the reception hall with its cathedral ceiling can accommodate over 150 people. MVYC is currently at about full membership, (225 families) and all 138 slips are occupied. Both the power and sail fleets have full programs, while the Swim Team, that has recently enjoyed a big influx of new members, is rising in the league charts. Take a look at our website www.mountvernonyachtclub.com to see what we’re up to and come visit us at N38° 42.0' W77° 07.1', but beware of low tide in Dogue Creek if you draw more than 3 feet.

National Potomac Yacht Club (NPYC) was established in 1963 to promote boating pleasure, recreation, education and safety for its members. NPYC primarily serves members who participate in power boating on the upper Potomac River, but welcomes members who are located elsewhere. NPYC hosts several land-based events each year that are open to the public, including the annual Flag Raising Ceremony, Octoberfest and the Oyster Roast. The club schedules several raft-ups, short cruises and a long cruise per year. NPYC enjoys the hospitality of Guest Services Inc. who allow the use of the marina office and snack bar at Columbia Island Marina, located in front of the Pentagon, for meetings and other functions of the club. Please visit our web site at www.npyc.com.

Occoquan Yacht Club (OYC) is a virtual yacht club of boaters from all over the Upper Potomac River. Some of our members keep their boats on the bay, but are from the Washington Area. We concentrate on many boating related activities throughout the year with an emphasis on safety and sharing of experience among our members. Activities include land based parties, weekend, one and two 2-week cruises to the Bay, raft ups, shrimp/lobster feasts, dinghy races, holiday parties, and spur of the moment parties and events. OYC is an energetic group that welcomes all in the spirit of fun and responsible boating. Visit our web site at www.OccoquanYachtClub.org

Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC), founded in 1880, was formed by a group of prominent Alexandrians in their pursuit of physical fitness and water-related activities, most notably rowing and sailing. During those early years the Club hosted State Regattas in Alexandria. For over a century the Club has participated in competitive regattas throughout the East, winning many of Virginia's most noted rowing trophies.

Since the late 1920's ODBC has continued to be a strong supporter for youth rowing. Today the Club sponsors Northern Virginia students during the fall season. The ODBC Select Crew Team (http://www.tcwcrew.org/)races in major head races in the Washington and Philadelphia regions.

With over 125 years dedicated to rowing on the waters of Alexandria, today the ODBC boasts the oldest of active crew teams on the waters of the Potomac and has the honor of being the second oldest boat club in the state of Virginia. In those 125 years, the purposes of physical fitness have expanded to include a philosophy and tradition built on promoting charitable and community support for Alexandria and the greater community.

Today we have approximately 700 active members. We maintains a marina of 53 boat slips. Additionally we have a work float and 2 “Tee” docks. Our proximity at the foot of King Street in Old Town Alexandria and our complete social calendar makes us an ideal stop-over destination. For general information about ODBC, please call 703-836-1900 and visit our website at www.olddominionboatclub.com.

The Port of Washington Yacht Club (POWYC) was formed in 2002 to promote safe boating; effect a clean, attractive and environmentally healthy marina, waterfront, and river system; organize cruising events; and sponsor social events for the benefit of all yacht club members.

POWYC is located at the Gangplank Marina in the Washington Channel. We are currently over 115 members consisting largely of live-aboard and recreational boaters in the Gangplank Marina; however, full-time cruising members and associate members without a boat also enjoy the benefits of belonging to our vibrant yacht club. We welcome all and hope you will take a moment to visit our website at www.powyc.com.

Prince William Yacht Club (PWYC) is located on the beautiful Occoquan River in the Prince William Marina near the quaint historic town of Occoquan, Virginia. PWYC has over 100 member boats whose owners all have a passion for boating-especially on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The purpose of the club is to promote safe boating and to have FUN. We sponsor several safety events throughout the year, provide hands-on training, and implement a mentoring program for new boaters. Because we have so much fun, PWYC has also come to stand for "Party While You Can!" We have several theme parties during the year (e.g. Luau, Pirate Party, Jimmy Buffet Night) and take numerous cruises to various locations on the Potomac and Chesapeake. We are members of the Potomac River Yacht Club Association and the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club Association. You can contact us on our home page at www.pwyc.org.

The Yacht Club at Swan Point is a great place to golf and a nice place to boat. Please join us. Word of caution; Cuckold Creek is a shallow draft area. Please check charts and tide schedules before arriving.

Quantico Yacht Club, began as the Quantico Yacht Club and Sail Association in 1974 at Quantico, Virginia. The club was known early-on for its "Frostbite Regatta", which commonly attracted over 100 lightning sailboats in keen competition during the late Fall weather. Since that time, the club has continued to expand its involvement in Potomac River racing events, club cruises to fun locales and numerous boating activities with the growing number of PRYCA member clubs. Located at the Quantico Harbor adjacent to the quaint town of Quantico, QYC has continued to grow in membership, special events and club facilities for the enjoyment of all members. Please stop by our web page at www.quanticoYC.org for the latest on our activities and future events, or any other information.

For more than 50 years, Seafarers Yacht Club and its members have devoted their time and efforts to providing wholesome, fun-filled activities on and around the Anacostia River. As a member club of the Potomac River Yacht Clubs Association (PRYCA), the Seafarers also participate in activities on the Potomac River, its tributaries, and the Chesapeake Bay. We were the catalyst for what is now called the annual Anacostia River Cleanup, and are active in many other community activities. Our web site (members.aol.com/seafareryc) is open for your perusal, and we welcome your comments. If you're a boater living in or visiting the Washington DC area, we'd be happy to have you stop by for a visit.

The Westmoreland Yachting Association (WYA) serves the Northern Neck of Virginia and all of the waters surrounding it: the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac, the Rappahannock River and all of their tributaries. We are a “virtual” boating club and focus on the idea of serving and including boaters and boat enthusiasts who are from different localities, marinas and “ports of call”. We currently have members from the southern tip of the Northern Neck up to Fredericksburg and Occoquan and many places in between. WYA schedules cruises to Kinsale, Kilmarnock, Crisfield, Windmill Point, Washington DC, a 2 week cruise down the Intercoastal Waterway (the Ditch), etc.

The member clubs of PRYCA are listed here.

Follow the links to view information about specific clubs.