Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 22-07-2010, 16:06   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Underway in the Med -
Boat: Jeanneau 40 DS SoulMates
Posts: 2,274
Images: 1
Potomac River Cruising

we are finishing a cruise up and down the potomac river this year and here are some thoughts

first - washington dc - if you leave the cobb island/colonial beach area you can make wdc in a day but it will be a long day and you will push current all the way up - the river twists and turns a lot so we did get some help from our sail but not a lot - we anchored in james creek at $1.25/ft but could have anchored in the washington channel and probably used the dingy dock at gangplank marina - as infor we pushed hard up the river and made 6-6.3k all the way up at 2800 rpms - on the way back we made 8-9k with a top of 9.6k at 2000 rpms -
mt vernon does not have enough water to handle a sailboat with a draft over 3' - they told us we would have to anchor out and dingy in - we skipped it

second - cobb island is a nice stop with good anchorage on the south end and some nice resturants and if you want a marina there are a couple - i know a couple of boats went in to colonal beach marnias before heading north -

third - leonardtown - off brenton bay - cute town but do not go on a monday a everything is closed - even the visitor center - have a great water front but watch you depth gauge going in - we stopped at 7.4' and anchored - probably could have gotten closer as charts say there is water but then again -- leonardtown does have a few things going on during the later part of the week - there is a little shopping but nothing close to reprovision - a couple of good bars through

fourth - kinsale is a cute little town with some incredible nice people - one local couple - don and judy - dingyed by and talked to us and we gave them a boat card - they went home and called the museum director and asked if she would open for us in the morning as it is only open on thur-sun and it was a wed - she not only opened but gave us a guided tour and a complete history of the town - the people could not have been nicer - great anchorage just past the town next to a bluff in 10' water - tstorm came thru and we did not feel it - could be a great hurricane hole - no shops and resturant just closed but very pretty anchorage and deep water all the way up -

fifth - up the st marys river to st marys city - good deep water all the way up - sailed most of it - anchored off st marys college in 16' of water -
not a lot here but an old city that is a reconstruction and the college - no bar within walking distance - but a free friday night concert on the green of the college - can use the college dingy dock if ask - not a lot of protection but holding is good

chuck patty and svsoulmates
on the hook st marys city md for a free concert
chuckr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-07-2010, 17:34   #2
Eternal Member
 
Chief Engineer's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North of Baltimore
Boat: Ericson 27 & 18' Herrmann Catboat
Posts: 3,798
Make sure you observe the proper protocol when Passing Mount Vernon
Chief Engineer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-07-2010, 17:39   #3
Registered User
 
dennisjay's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Fernandina Beach, FL
Boat: Island Packet 380 - Delta Blues
Posts: 353
Images: 1
>>Proper protocol when passing Mount Vernon?

And what might that be? A salute to General Washington?
__________________
- Dennis Jay
Annapolis, MD • USA

https://sailingdeltablues.com/
dennisjay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-07-2013, 07:20   #4
Registered User
 
rilie1's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Selby Bay, MD
Boat: Jeanneau 490
Posts: 8
Send a message via Yahoo to rilie1
Re: Potomac River Cruising

Half-Masting While Passing Mount Vernon.

Ships of the Navy and Coast Guard rarely visit Washington, D.C., any more, but when they do, they carry out a time-honored ceremony as they pass the tomb of George Washington, first President of the United States, at Mount Vernon, Virginia, some 15 miles downriver from the capital. In full form, the ceremony stipulated by article 1281 of Navy Regulations calls for parading the full guard and band, tolling the bell, and lowering the national ensign to half-mast. When the ship is directly opposite Washington's tomb, the guard presents arms, everyone on deck faces the tomb and salutes, and the bugler sounds "Taps." At the last note of "Taps," the ensign is closed up to the peak, the tolling of the bell ceases, and the band plays the National Anthem. "Carry on" is then sounded.


The first recorded instance of a ship of the Navy paying such a tribute was in May 1801, less than a year and a half after Washington's death, when the USS Congress lowered her sails, half-masted her ensign, and fired a 13-gun mourning salute as it passed the tomb. When President Theodore Roosevelt observed his Presidential yacht, the Mayflower, rendering similar honors in 1906, he ordered that the ceremony be officially mandated. This resulted in the issuance of General Order 22 of June 2, 1906, the original source of the provision in the modern Navy Regulations. The requirement for the National Anthem was added in 1913.

Of course, if few ships come as far up the Potomac as Mount Vernon, fewer still do so with a bugler and band aboard. Nevertheless, the honors are paid to the extent practicable. Typically, as the ship approaches Mount Vernon, all crew members not on watch are mustered topside, forming on the side facing the Virginia shore, and "Attention" is sounded. As the ship comes opposite the tomb, the signal for "hand salute" is given. The ensign is half-masted and the ship's bell is struck eight times at five-second intervals. After the eighth ring, the ensign is closed up to the peak. Two blasts are sounded on a whistle to end the salute and then three blasts to signal "carry on." In recent years it has also become customary for civilian vessels equipped with bells to toll them when entering the Mount Vernon approach channel.
Further information on this ceremony and its history can be found at the website of the Naval History Center.
rilie1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-07-2013, 10:01   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
Hudson Force's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lived aboard & cruised for 45 years,- now on a chair in my walk-in closet.
Boat: Morgan OI 413 1973 - Aythya
Posts: 8,455
Images: 1
Re: Potomac River Cruising

Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckr View Post
................................... - we anchored in james creek at $1.25/ft ...................................
I enjoyed your informative post, but please clarify this one statement. You must not have been charged for anchoring. Was this a dockage fee?
__________________
Take care and joy, Aythya crew
Hudson Force is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-07-2013, 10:12   #6
Eternal Member

Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,046
Images: 4
Re: Potomac River Cruising

Just past the Gangplank Marina, at the head of the Washington Channel, is the Capital Yacht Club. Here you can find transient slips or, if you prefer, can anchor out in the Channel and for a small fee use all the Club's excellent facilities: bar, lounge, toilets & showers, washer/dryers, etc. Very friendly people there, too.

Check us out on Active Captain.

Bill
btrayfors is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-07-2013, 09:08   #7
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: La la Land
Boat: 37' Oyster Heritage
Posts: 416
Re: Potomac River Cruising

Another vote for the Capital Yacht Club. Probably the most hospitable yacht club I've ever visited. Good beer too!
sestina is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
potomac

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
From Florida to the Potomac lorenzo b Atlantic & the Caribbean 3 23-04-2010 18:36
Hello from the middle Potomac dcstrng Meets & Greets 4 23-10-2007 04:25
River Cruising need local advice? jimisbell Other 4 12-05-2007 09:27
Chesapeake / Potomac Cruising Guides Entlie Other 5 08-03-2007 09:08

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:42.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.