Plastics in the Potomac: A Primer for Prospective Boaters

We see the downside of McGuire’s prophetic words in the profusion of plastic trash in the Potomac River, notably water bottles, but also children’s toys, fishing lures and just about everything else our society consumes. This is “wild plastic,” aka trash, as in “wild urban plants,” aka weeds.

But, plastic has also done the river tremendous good. Cheap and tough plastic boats have enabled thousands of ordinary people, young and old, to venture on the river and get to know it as a friend. In so doing, they join the river’s constituency of supporters and defenders.

What does it take to join the local boating flotilla? It looks more complicated, with the profusion of boats of all shapes and sizes, all thanks to the magic of rotational molding. But actually, buying a boat is easy.

Remember that the aim is just to get on the water. We’re not talking about pulling insane front flips, air screws, or cartwheels. Or plunging over Great Falls. Or touring Glacier Bay. We just want to mess around, right here, in one of the loveliest rivers in America.

For me, the boat of choice is what the sales brochures call recreational kayaks. They’re normally about 12 feet long, tough and easy to maneuver. They come in under the weight limit for a piece of checked baggage, and cost about the same as two evenings in New York City. These are the go (almost) anywhere boats for the Potomac. All fun, no worry.

Shorter means lighter in weight and generally cheaper, but less able to “track,” that is, keep on a straight course. Longer means more versatile when it comes to extending your adventures to bays and estuaries. Most have a hatch for storing lunch, a beach towel, and a book.

So far I’m talking about “sit-in” kayaks. You sit in the hollow hull, actually about level with the water.  If it’s hot and the water is calm, you don’t need to fasten your “spray skirt,” a waterproof covering that creates a seal between your waist and the rim of the cockpit. But when it’s chilly or if there’s danger of water splashing in, you can close the spray skirt and stay warm and dry.

I’ve had one of these for many years. Fireball red, but nothing special. I’ve hit countless rocks with it, dragged it through the woods, and lowered it over cliffs. Apart from a fishing rod holder I installed, it still looks pretty much the way it came from the dealer. I have other boats, but when I just want to get out on the river, this is my choice.

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