Best practices on where NOT to anchor

[RumIsTheReason]

One of the things we are most looking forward to with our new to us boat is finding a peaceful area and anchoring overnight. Other than using active captain to scope out where to anchor, are there rules of thumb on where one should not anchor? For example, we boat mostly on the Potomac River. Does anything stop me from moving over to the side of the river and dropping anchor right there?

(Assume good weather, assume I know how to set an anchor and what lights to use at night, etc. I’m specifically asking about location.)

Thanks!

 

[dwna1a]

Best thing I can say is know the area. When our VA thunder storms build and move across and down the river things get ugly fast. Middle of the night is not the time to find that nice spot really isn't so nice.

Talk with other boaters in your marina, they hold the knowledge of the best spots to overnight. Those old sea dogs know many of the sweet spots.

 

[boatman37]

A few guys in our marina anchor out down by the down river dam. Don't think I could sleep very well relying on my anchor with the dam being just down river...lol

 

[ZZ13]

One of the things we are most looking forward to with our new to us boat is finding a peaceful area and anchoring overnight. Other than using active captain to scope out where to anchor, are there rules of thumb on where one should not anchor? For example, we boat mostly on the Potomac River. Does anything stop me from moving over to the side of the river and dropping anchor right there?

(Assume good weather, assume I know how to set an anchor and what lights to use at night, etc. I’m specifically asking about location.)

Thanks!

I had a 2004 300DA with 350 Mag engines I kept at Belmont Bay Marina around 2011-2013. We mostly anchored at Mattawoman (along with everyone else). We tried the "side of the road" approach a few times but got waked too much. So pretty much it was Mattawoman or down by Tim's II (if that restaurant is still there).

 

[Stee6043]

A few guys in our marina anchor out down by the down river dam. Don't think I could sleep very well relying on my anchor with the dam being just down river...lol

An anchor drag alarm would be a necessity I'd think. I agree though...even if I had 3 anchors out I'm not sure how well I'd sleep with a dam downriver

 

[Mikemapva]

One of the things we are most looking forward to with our new to us boat is finding a peaceful area and anchoring overnight. Other than using active captain to scope out where to anchor, are there rules of thumb on where one should not anchor? For example, we boat mostly on the Potomac River. Does anything stop me from moving over to the side of the river and dropping anchor right there?

(Assume good weather, assume I know how to set an anchor and what lights to use at night, etc. I’m specifically asking about location.)

Thanks!

Bill (ZZ13) above gave you some good advice. I'm not sure where you are on the Potomac, but I'll give you a couple of other ideas and tips.

In addition to Mattawoman Creek (which is on the Maryland side across from Tim's Rivershore 1 in Dumfries), another popular anchorage nearby is Belmont Bay. It's the bay to the left as you're coming out of the Occoquan right after the channel turns to the right. You'll see a ton of boats in there most weekends, and you can usually find a spot off by yourself. The closer to the mouth of the bay, the more you will rock and roll since it's close to the main channel.

Tim's 2 and also Rick's (they're basically next to each other) are in Fairview Beach. This is to the south and is basically straight ahead where the river turns to the East. The disadvantages here are as follows. You're in the river where it is very wide and weather can and does come blowing through there. This can cause an uncomfortable night, or if you don't have your anchor set properly, could cause you to drag. Several years ago there used to be a huge annual party at Tim's 2 called Aquapaloooza and many boats came loose during storms a couple years in a row and some ended up on shore. The other disadvantage here is that because it is not in a no wake zone (as it's part of the river), there can be a lot of wakes and there is also the risk of someone running into you at speed at night. That being said, I have anchored there in good weather (and towards shore from other rafted boats) and felt safe and slept well.

If you head north from the Occoquan, the place where most people anchor is in the 3 Sisters area just past Key Bridge. This is in the river and the current can be kind of strong up there as the river is pretty narrow there. There are usually a lot of boats anchored in this area. We have also anchored just before the Key Bridge on the Virginia side of the river. If you do this, be careful of your depth. The area north of the Memorial Bridge is all a no wake zone, so the boats running at speed is not an issue in either of these areas.

So, to answer your original question, my understanding is that you are legally able to drop anchor anywhere in the river (with the exception of any military or governmental restrictions). But, I would want to make sure that I'm in an area that is relatively protected from weather, and also a good distance away from any channel or area where boats generally run at speed. There are also some pretty shallow areas on the edges of the Potomac that you'll need to be careful about.

One thing I forgot to mention is that you'll probably be awakened early in the morning by small fishing boats buzzing nearby in most places on the Potomac.

 

[Maggieiscrazy]

One night in the apostle islands we anchored about 100 yards off of an island. There were a few other boats anchored as well but they were several hundred yards away. In the middle of the night I was awakened by some increasing winds. I went out to check things out and I was literally less than 10 feet from hitting a sailboat. I fired up the engine and backed away. When I pulled the anchor up the rope was wrapped around it. The only time that’s ever happened.

 

[RumIsTheReason]

Excellent responses and thanks for the local ideas!! So sounds like while it’s not “illegal” to anchor in the river, there are plenty of reasons why that isn’t a good idea.

I’ve hired a captain to give my wife and I some training. They are going to spend time sharing local knowledge as well.

 

[atrick]

My understanding is you can anchor anywhere as long as its not in the channel.

 

[Henry Boyd]

My understanding is you can anchor anywhere as long as its not in the channel.

That is generally correct, however be aware you should not anchor in designated mooring fields. First of all it is good etiquette. Second it protects your vested interest, if you foul your anchor on somebody's ground tackle, you become liable for all damage, regardless of the condition of the other's property. That by the way includes their boat should it be damaged, or set free. And third, in some municipalities you can get fined for anchoring in a mooring area.

You also need to check for other regulations, some municipalities regulate where you can anchor and for how long. Some places have had boaters anchor a clunker, strip the id off of it, then leave and never come back. So the locals can get testy if they have had to dispose a few old boats in the past.

The other thing is designated Anchorages on charts (bounded by white buoys) are for large commercial craft. Yes, you can anchor there, but do you want to? These spots are the only parking places for big vessels, you can go anywhere you please. A tug crew is not going to care how close they park their barge to a recreational boat at four in the morning, or be concerned about scaring the bejesus out of your family while they are picking up an anchored barge. The moral of that story is, "Where can a 100 ton barge park in an anchorage? Anywhere the crew wants to leave it."

Some other thoughts; ALWAYS run your anchor light at night. If you are worried about running your battery down, or the light is burned out, Shame on you. Your boat is not fit, or safe, to anchor overnight.

The other point is anyone who anchors out overnight and plans to sleep through the night is on borrowed time. An "anchor watch" is one of the oldest marine traditions for a reason. Sooner or later, something bad can happen. Weather changes, maybe you should have put more scope on the rode, etc. You aren't the only boat out there. Someone can come in after you've nodded off, and anchor too close. A boat that is safely anchored at bedtime can slip its anchor and come sailing in your direction. This is when its good to recognize that just because another boat is anchored, it has people on it. So set an alarm and get up every couple hours and take a look around. A really loud air horn, flashlight and boat hook are good things to have handy.

If you anchor in a tidal area, or on the side of a channel, you may need to have a stern anchor. Properly set your anchor won't come loose during a tide swing. If you are close to a channel, you don't want the wind to change and swing you out into the channel. The big thing is your boat will swing in an arc with a radius equal to your paid out rode. In popular anchorages you may find that the local practice is to set stern anchors. Not being able to set a stern will not endear you to your neighbors.

 

[boatman37]

No restrictions for us anchoring on the Ohio River but you have to keep in mind there is commercial traffic at all times of the day so you want to stay off to the side. We also have dams to consider. The only places I might be comfortable anchoring overnight would be a place we call the powerline that is a little wider in that area so it's easier to be out of the way. The other place would be below a dam far enough away to be out of any currents and on the opposite side of the locks to be away from commercial traffic.

 

[RumIsTheReason]

So set an alarm and get up every couple hours and take a look around.

If you anchor in a tidal area, or on the side of a channel, you may need to have a stern anchor. Properly set your anchor won't come loose during a tide swing. If you are close to a channel, you don't want the wind to change and swing you out into the channel. The big thing is your boat will swing in an arc with a radius equal to your paid out rode. In popular anchorages you may find that the local practice is to set stern anchors. Not being able to set a stern will not endear you to your neighbors.

Thanks for the response.

Tidal flow is not something I had thought of. I was assuming current always flowing in the same direction on the Potomac and tributaries. I’ll have to see how that works around here.