National Harbor, which has hosted major events since its completion in 2008, is an ideal site for the DC Boat Show. Across the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria and connected by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, getting there is easy given its access by water, public transportation, or car. The Potomac Water Taxi, which transports passengers from Alexandria or The Wharf in DC, is a great option. A parking garage is only one block from the show's main entrance. Bicyclists can navigate an easy route facilitated by separated bike trails all the way to the National Harbor waterfront.

For additional cost and a VIP pass, the Capital Boat School offered classroom seminars on many practical topics for those wanting to venture into boat ownership or learn about their operation and maintenance.

Exhibitor tents were lined up on the long Freedom Pier, with boats on both sides. Vendors offered everything from boat services and financing to nautical charts and jewelry. The boats available for sale or charter had crews to welcome you aboard for a tour (please remove your shoes first). REI manned a paddle sport concession, where you could take a kayak or paddleboard out into the harbor.

Several all-electric power boats were at the show, with their mission to push the boundaries of sustainability by omitting gas or diesel engines. After talking to Brandon from Electrified Marina about the 26-foot X Shore Eelex 8000 at the dock, he and the crew invited me for a ride. We tossed the lines and the 170kw inboard electric motor was so quiet, I barely noticed we'd started moving. As soon as we exited the channel and were clear of shallow waters, the skipper hit the throttle and in seconds we were doing 30 knots (~34 mph). Still, most of the noise was from water being displaced and my delighted cheers, and there were no noxious diesel fumes. Electrified Marina, based in Norfolk VA, also offers slow, peaceful outings (by rental or charter) on several electric boats built by Vision Marine, and even a line of all-electric personal watercraft (PWCs) from the Canadian company Taiga. I learned there are many advantages, and only a few drawbacks, to boats that are entirely battery powered.

The Boats on Land exhibit in the upper parking lot was for small trailerable boats on display and tents for more vendors Todd from Pedego Alexandria offered full size and folding varieties of e-bikes.

Washington DC, on the Potomac River about 100 miles from where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay and its neighbor Alexandria, VA, both have rich maritime histories, which earns DC its relevance as a port city and base for water recreation. Alexandria served as an active port in the 18th century, then in the early 1800s shipbuilding for both trade and transportation began there and continued into the 20th century. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation honors the city's maritime heritage from an iconic timber frame workshop on the waterfront, teaching hands-on traditional wooden boatbuilding skills to apprentices. The U.S. Navy also has a long and continued presence on the DC waterfront. Today people enjoy the water on power boats, sailboats, paddleboards, and kayaks, and the iconic tall ship Providence in addition to numerous cruise lines and water taxis for only the price of a ticket.

With the coming Clipper Race, DC is celebrating its waterfront and historical significance as a port city on the Potomac.

Resources:

• DC Boat Show
• Capital Boat School (available with VIP pass)
• National Harbor
• Preserving Alexandria's Maritime Heritage
• "More Tons, Less Huns": World War I Shipbuilding in Alexandria
• Alexandria Seaport Foundation
• Naval History of Washington, D.C.
• Tall Ship Providence
• Potomac Water Taxi
• The Capital Wheel
• Electrified Marina
• Pedego Alexandria