Saturday, Oct. 10 was the Gangplank Slipholders Association Boat Home Tour along the docks of the Washington Channel. This year, 22 live-aboards opened their boats for the tour, ranging from houseboats and barges to trawlers and sailboats. The Gangplank Marina claims to be the largest live-aboard community on the East Coast. They are an eclectic bunch, including families, couples, and single folks; members of the military and civilians; retirees and people still working; experienced boaters and newbies; sailors, kayakers, and dedicated captains of motor yachts. More than 300 people attended the tour this year, and more than $6,000 was raised for local charities in Southwest DC.
Photos courtesy of Perry Klein.
Photo caption: A huge cat on the deck of the Laconic. Melissa and Tony enjoy decorating their boat, especially during the Halloween and Christmas holiday seasons. Tony is dockmaster at Gangplank Marina, and Melissa has, on more than a few occasions, cooked for 50+ people in their boat galley.
Photo caption: A skeleton lurking on Melissa and Tony’s Laconic.
Photo caption: Jason Kopp and Andy Litsky aboard Jason’s flybridge houseboat, Argo. Jason is chair of SWNA’s Waterfront Planning Task Force, and Andy Litsky is the Southwest Waterfront representative for the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
Photo caption: Debbie Christianson with her Yorkshire Terrier, Buster. Debbie lives aboard a floating house barge, Miss Behavin’, and is able to walk to work at the FAA and come home for lunch. The marina is dog-friendly.
Photo caption: Kelly and Tashia are relative newcomers to Gangplank Marina, and live aboard their houseboat, Shannon’s Steal, with their two dogs.