Slow Go zones on the Potomac?

[unkle buck]

1. Are there slow go zones on the Potomac?
2. River big enough to run at cruising speed and not slow for traffic?
3. The run from mouth of P to Alexandria --can you run at crusing speed the entire way?
4. How long is that run?
5. Boat throws a good wake, but like to run and not slow down a bunch.

Tks.......John

 

[Chesagansett]

Ad far as I know, there is no speed limit on the entire navigable 90 miles of the Potomac from its mouth all the way to Washington, DC.....with 2 exceptions. Here are the two exceptions: ... There is a no wake zone near Alexandria from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (I-95) and continuing for 1 mile upsteam to about Red #6. The other no wake zone starts a little before Georgetown....maybe a 1/2 mile before.....just after what I belive is the Arlington Memorial Bridge. You'll see a bridge with stone arches. No wake after that for the remianing 1/2 mile or so to Georgetown. Don't go too much upstream of the Key bridge unless you like rocks.

 

[Badsanta]

Some days the river is blocked for testing at the Dahlgren testing center. But they will have patrol boats posted to keep you out of artillery range as they shoot down the river. Not often but it does happen. About 50-60 miles up stream. Right before you dog leg north then south

 

[kd3pc]

the potomac also has some tight turns and curves, that shoal out from the channel pretty quickly. Towards DC there is more traffic and less steerage room (for mistakes) if something goes wrong...if you talking cruise reasonable sppeds you would be fine, however if you run wide open go fasts (you see these a lot between Colonial Beach and the 301 river bridge) you will need to be cautious, as the tourists may get in your way.

All the best whatever you decide. As you get closer to the mouth of the river, the water action can be surprising to those who do not expect it. Re: Rough...especially when a front is moving through as is expected this weekend

dave