Any Toledo Sailors Out There?

[lippysyd]

I have what feels like a dumb question;
I have a Catalina 27. Is it possible to sail down the Maumee River without stepping the mast? A power boating friend wants us to join him downtown to watch the fireworks on the 4th. Google hadn't given me a clear answer about bridge heights.

 

[Delezynski]

I'm not in that area, but check out Active Captain. I just looked up Maumee River and see the info on all the bridges.

See it at; https://activecaptain.com/ and look upany place you need to know.

Greg

 

[Stu Jackson]

lippy, what Greg is implying is that you check the CHARTS. They are also available for free at the noaa website. You can download them in booklet form or pdf (if they still have that option going). You should have charts on your boat, in addition to any GPS you might have. And any GPS chartplotter (either big or handheld with charts) have all that information.

 

[Ron Roman]

I know the area and all the bridges will open for you.

 

[lippysyd]

I should have worded my question differently. I did look on AC, I guess I was looking for a more anecdotal answer. I've never experienced draw bridges before and for some reason it's making me nervous.

So everything I read says they open twice an hour; if we don't get to a bridge at the time they're scheduled to open, do we just...wait? It only mentions them opening on request to commercial traffic.

 

[shemandr]

Typically, here, you circle while waiting. Sometimes you can tie up to a short term dock. It's usually a good time to practice your slow speed maneuvering. I've been on the Maumee but don't remember the current situation. Anyway the anchor should always be ready. Relax and enjoy the show. There'll be plenty of company.

 

[JerryA]

Where they shoot off the fireworks, you could anchor north of the bridges and still be really close to the show. So it may not matter. When I've waited for a draw bridge to open, I did the slow circle when going downstream. Going upstream you may be able to hold position, especially after all the rains this past week. I think FM 104.7 does a simcast of the music.

JerryA

 

[lippysyd]

I know it's been awhile, but...

We had a great time! I don't know why I was so worried about protocalls. Sometimes I do feel self conscious about talking 'properly' on the radio knowing other people can hear me. Silly, I know.

Anyhow, none of the bridges had their monitoring channel posted, but someone had told me 19. Tried that, as well as horn signals at the first bridge with no response. Finally, after about 30 minutes it opened. The bridge operator was outside & hollered down to us that they all monitored 14. The rest were a breeze. Funny to think they stopped traffic on the 4th of July just for little 'ole us! Later I updated AC with the channel number.

Thanks!