Potomac River Anchorages

[Ariel]

We are planning a cruise to Washington, DC now that the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is completed. We are very familiar with the Potomac River below the St. Marys and Yecomico Rivers, but lack knowledge of anchorages and marinas between these rivers and Washington. Can any of you that sail the Potomac recommend anchorages or marinas? We are in a Pearson 36, draft 5 feet and mast 53 feet.

Thanks,
Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[Jim Seamans]

Potomac River

Hi Dave,

I tried to make a google map showing these places but didn't work. I sail mostly from Cobb Island south down river. My knowledge of what is above there is limited.

Starting at Cobb Island, it has a great sound to anchor in at Pirates Den Marina. There is also Canoe Creek, Breton Bay and on the Virgina side Nomini Creek. Across from Ragged point is Tall Timbers but must be careful coming through the opening, it gets a little skinny depending on the tide. Believe that Pirates Den is the last good marina until you get to DC...

Let me know when you are coming up river and will try to hook up...

 

[Ariel]

Thanks Jim,

From the charts it looks like there are very few or no good anchorages between Cobb Island and Piscataway Creek, across from Mount Vernon. Thats a long 54nm day trip upstream, but can be done. It sure would make it more pleasent to make that a two day event.

We will be making the cruse in June. Just when depends on when and how quick we can get ARIEL back into the water and get it all sorted out for the summer. When we firm up the date I will let you know when we will be in the Cobb Island area or at Pirates Den. Hope we can meet up.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[wonkodsane]

I know it isn't too much beyond what you're already familiar with, but you can anchor up the Tobacco River near Chapel Point State Park. It's a pretty good swimming hole, and you can take your dinghy in to stretch your legs and then keep moving up the river.

The spire marked on Chapel Point on http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12288.shtml is a good visual reference. The ruins on the chart are an old building foundation and is a good thing to aim for when you get out in the dinghy.

Keep your eyes peeled for crab pots, though, they're thick as thieves in there, particularly around the ATONs. We motored my buddy's 42' Catalina (~5' draft) in there at night in a misty rain and I was in the bow pulpit with a high intensity flashlight pointing out crab pots for an hour or so. Very slow going. the fishermen don't seem to care whether they end up in the channel or not.

 

[Ariel]

Thanks wonkodsane,

I have noted this as an anchorage on the chart with a note to watch for crab pots. This anchorage will cut about 18nm off a days run. A big help.

Thanks again,

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[wonkodsane]

You're welcome, like Jim said, let us know when you're up in DC and we'll meet up.

-Scott

 

[Ariel]

Thanks Scott, will do.

Dave,
s/v Ariel

 

[rpwillia]

Middle Potomac

Dave, Quantico (703-784-2359) can accommodate your draft, but they do not do a lot of transient business and it is not a real interest for them, but the facilities are good and there are plenty of places in Q-Town to eat. If you want to anchor out there are a lot of places on the south side of Mattawoman Creek where you can anchor, and there is a nice cove just to the north of Possum Point Power Plant and the Power Line that gives nice shelter from winds from the North and West.

 

[Ariel]

Re: Middle Potomac

Thanks rpwillia.

It appears that this trip will not be as arduous as I first thought. We are looking forward to the cruise.

Thanks for the information.

Dave,
s/v ARIEL