Potomac River questions

[unklbuck]

Looking for some planning advice on a trip to DC from the Bay

Are there any no wake or slow go zones on the Potomac from the mouth up to Alexandria?

Looks like the river is big enough to not slow down for oncoming traffic or passing traffic? Do you slow on keep it on plane?

At 22knots, how long would that trip take?

Many pots to worry about?

Thanks....

 

[PlayDate]

Once you clear the Wilson Bridge, you are on plane to the Bay. There are parts where the river seems like a mile wide but the depth and channel aren't. Having a GPS with current charts makes it a lot easier to navigate. It is 90 miles from DC to the Bay, so figure about 3.5 hours depending on conditions.

It's a great ride. It gives you a real respect for the captains who had to sail up and down the river 200 years ago.

-John

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

From the Harry Nice Bridge (301) down to south of Colonial Beach is the NSWC River Test Range. During the week there are often weapons testing going on over the river test range and you will need to look for the range boats and call them on VHF 16 to get passage instructions. Depending on the test they will not let you through until after the test.
This link has all of the details.
http://www.nswc.navy.mil/RANGE/
http://www.nswc.navy.mil/RANGE/range_images/dangerarea.jpg
The crab pots are for the most part near the marinas.

 

[On Holiday]

A few weeks ago I did an Occuquan, VA to DC trip. Had some no wake at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. We were at no wake around the monuments for sight seeing.

 

[mrsrobinson]

+1 for all the replies, and no wake means no wake at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. We were on my father-in-laws 420, idled down as slow as it would go and they were growling at him on the radio.

 

[On Holiday]

The other boat we were with one time was no waking and got stopped by boat police. He said he was no waking at 1,000 RPM and BP said for your boat, no wake is at 800 RPM's he didn't get cited but did get warned.