Potomac, Cobb Island to Chesapeake Bay sailing

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Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
My wife and I are ready to place our boat into a slip possibly year around. We have currently a Hunter 260 but could be upgraded by Spring of 2003. We would like to know how the sailing and exploring is on the Potomac from Cobb Island out into the Chesapeake Bay. We sail mostly from Thilghman Island to Rock Hall. Is this a great area, looks like it would be from the maps. Jim S/V Java
 
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Trey Pollard

Lower Potomac Sailing is ...

I love sailing in this area. The river is REALLY wide and the traffic is not to bad. We use the Machodoc creek for a home port, just below the Nice Bridge on 360, and Cobb Island is a regular hang out for us. Mondays can be a chore with the explosions and the ranger boats trying to steer traffic around the firing range at Dahlgren. They test fire weapons in the middle of the river. WOW! There are alot of other sailboats in this area and we rarely have any problems with motor traffic, most people here seem to know the rules and try to follow them. I do recommend this area. I live in Richmond and sail in alot of different areas on the lower bay and its tribs. I end up on the potomac more than any other spot. I guess that should say it all... I own an Oday 22 and sail a Watkins 27 a whole lot there. good luck and go for it!
 
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Tom

Currents at the Mouth of the Potomac

The only problem with the lower Potomac is the currents at the mouth of the Potomac create larger than expected waves. We enjoy sailing the lower Potomac but sometimes get tired of the waves caused by the currents. It is not unusual to get 10 knots of wind with three foot waves. The pounding your boat takes from these waves gets old especially when you have the wife and kids aboard. I enjoy the openness of the Potomac. I can set the autopilot on and don't have to worry about adjusting my course for boat traffic. I also enjoy seeing the freighters going up the Potomac. I spent most of my time previously sailing the Patuxent and miss Solomons Island for its resturants but don't miss all the boat traffic. Tom
 
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