Cruising Potomac

[stevenit]

Hello sailors,
I would like to sail up the Potomac to Washington on a 51' sailboat with draft 9.2'. I suppose it's all done by motor. Advice? When you arrive, it is easy to find room for anchor in the allowed area? Thanks!

[Bill O]

The only free anchorage in DC (in the Washington Channel) these days is near/south of the Harbor Police dock. When ever you are ready to head up there you could give them a call to make certain there is room.
What is your air draft? Clearance at the Woodrow Wilson bridge is 76' (w/o trying to get them to open it).

[stevenit]

77'....but Navionics says :
Bridge phone: 703-836-2396 With the bridge in the closed position, the Federal Channel has a vertical clearance of 75 feet (MHW) at the Federal channel edges and 83 feet (MHW) at center channel from the bottom of the northernmost (upstream) steel girder.

[Bill O]

Ok, sounds like you've done your homework. The 76' was from a current NOAA chart for the bridge clearance.

Obviously if the winds are right, you could sail the nearly 100nm from the bay to DC.

Besides staying in the channel, the only other area to watch is near Dahlgren in the Harry Nice bridge construction area. There is a speed restriction of 6 kts through the construction zone.

[Pandor]

The truth about that designated anchorage in the Washington Channel is that it only fits about 3 boats with room to swing round on your anchor. Harbor Patrol is fairly aggressive about enforcing the rather tiny boundary. But even still, it is often possible to grab one of the three spots. This is likely because there is no free dingy landing. The paid landing would be upstream a ways at the Wharf. But if you are forced to pay the Wharf, you would be better off taking a mooring ball. One more issue for you is that you’d be at the depth limit for the anchorage. And you may be near the length limit for the mooring balls. So call the Wharf and get the scoop.

[stevenit]

I just had a quick view of the bridge... I don't think they open a 6 lanes bridge for me ��

[Bill O]

Maybe w/a few weeks notice and it may occur around 2am w/the minimum car traffic.
Time it right w/the low tide and you should be ok. A full or new moon could also help.
Until 2016, it was ok to anchor out in the main basin. Now you need to pay for a mooring.


Edit: Scratch the mooring idea for your boat. The moorings are only rated for a 45' boat ($50/night)

[stevenit]

Thanks to all!