The Potomac

[RobnBern]

Hi All,

We're up near the Occoquan and usually venture down to Fairview and up to Georgetown. Both are fun but we're looking for more info about the river. Does anyone have any good hangouts on that stretch of the river? (Yes, it's a big stretch). Some good places for the kids to go swimming for the day? What about south of Fairview?? Is there anything up near Port Tobacco or maybe the 301 bridge?

Thanks.....looking forward to a break in the weather so we can survey and sea trial the 370!!!

Be safe all!!

 

[Redhook98]

We are in Colonial beach. It's about 8 miles south of the bridge. Plenty to do there! My boat is at the Colonial Yacht Center. The first marina as you are entering the bay. WE also gfo across ther river to Cobb Island, up to Gilligans, and of course, Fairview for Tims 2 and Aquapalooza.

 

[Skip]

Wades bay is about 5 NM south of Marine Corps base Quantico, where I keep my boat. Great place to raft and swim. Mattawoman Creek on the Maryland side of the river is between the Occoquan and Quantico and is also a good place to raft and swim, although it is shallow and the late summer hydrilla is tough

 

[PlayDate]

Skip,

I gave up on Mattawoman when I woke up and found a four foot snake on my swim platform!! From what I understand that is an issue down there at certain times of the year. Aquapalooza at Tim's II is great and the storm entertainment is legendary. The other place across from Old Town Alexandria is National Harbor which is getting better every year.

-John

 

[Deckworks1]

Wades Bay is a GREAT place to take the kids. Go to the south end of the bay before the cliffs. There is a small stream coming into the river. Anchor out a bit as the beach is rocky. Take the kids up to the beach and send them on a treasure hunt. Sharks teeth dated 60 - 90 million years old. Right in the edge of the surf. They will find plenty yo keep them busy. My wife found an Indian spear head there last year. I found what looks like a prehistoric turtle head. Another place to hang out is Pomonkey Creek right at the point. you have to watch the locals go in and out to see where the channel is. It's a nice beach that gets crowded. Late in the day I take the kids out of there as it gets a bit crazy.

 

[CaptMaxim]

I'm on the Occoquan as well. As you head out of the Occoquan and pass Belmont Bay Marina to your starboard side.... you'll round the first set of markers and pass a small island on the left. As soon as you see the next red marker you can hang a left and be in Belmont Bay. Any given summer weekend there are hundreds of boats out there rafted up.

 

[RobnBern]

Another place to hang out is Pomonkey Creek right at the point. you have to watch the locals go in and out to see where the channel is. It's a nice beach that gets crowded. Late in the day I take the kids out of there as it gets a bit crazy.

Thanks for the info. I've heard about the sharks teeth on the river, but never knew specifically where to look. I've never heard of Pomonkey. Looking at the map, it looks like it's across from Hallowing Point, which is awesome because we're on the Occ. Area looks tight, so I wonder how easy it will be to get a 370 up in there?? Time will tell.....if spring EVER gets here.

CAPTMAXIM: We've hung out in Belmont Bay a lot, never rafted up tho. I've noticed, going in on a Rinker 320, that there's a sand bar near the entrance unless you're absolutely perfect on approach. I understand there are a lot of snags in the bay. Any idea what areas I need to avoid? How close to the shore can I get without fear of chewing the bottom? We usually stay about 150-200' off shore. Thanks much for the help.

 

[Skip]

I am fairly conservative with our 420DA. We draw 40" and I try to avoid any location where I will have less than 3' of water under the keel. Grounding a big boat is a non-trivial event. Even at idle speed you can pull sand or mud into your raw water intakes, chew up a prop, ruin the dripless shaft seals, etc. Haul out and repair can get expensive in a hurry.

 

[RobnBern]

I am fairly conservative with our 420DA. We draw 40" and I try to avoid any location where I will have less than 3' of water under the keel. Grounding a big boat is a non-trivial event. Even at idle speed you can pull sand or mud into your raw water intakes, chew up a prop, ruin the dripless shaft seals, etc. Haul out and repair can get expensive in a hurry.

Thanks Skip. Now when you say this are you saying it with any specific destination listed in mind?? Or just in general?? As I said, we've been on the river for a couple years now but we're moving into a bigger boat and hoping to spend more time with the kids on the water.

We've heard about the area for sharks teeth but until now, weren't sure where it was. Never heard of Pomonkey, which makes me laugh like my 9 year old son, but it sounds nice. Have been to Mattowomen a lot but NEVER past the park.

So, we're just looking for somewhere the kids can get off the boat and play relatively safe from getting run over or swamped. Someplace quiet, in case we decide to sleep on the hook.

I certainly don't want to learn the tough lessons of driving a heavy boat into no water, so any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks

RJ

 

[Skip]

This is my general approach to running the boat. I honor channel markers, and if I exit the channel I do it at idle speed with my eyes glued to depth under the keel. I set the depth alarm to 5' measured form the keel to the river bottom. Pay attention to the tide and account for low vs. high tide depth.

 

[wileecoyote]

I'm at Goose Bay and pretty much everyone heads over to Chapel Point to hang out. The bottom is sandy in most spots, but not as nice as Fairview. It's close to us, thats what makes it convenient.

 

[RjVA]

Head down to Ragged Point. Some great little swimming holes. Some great anchorages at Nomini Bay or Brenton Bay. Nice clean sandy beaches. Stop by Coles Point for the night, good bar, pool etc.