C30 Tall Rig bridge height question

[Harleyreef]

I previously sold my Catalina 22 and looking at purchasing a Catalina 30 tall rig. I would need to move it from Panama City, FL to Mandeville, LA. Taking an inside route, there are a couple of 50' fixed bridges near Destin. My question is what do you all think is the lowest bridge I could make it under safely being it is a tall rig with a 48' height? Is there a recommended safety factor due to the movement of the boat? Thanks and sorry a newbie here.

 

[Donnybrook]

No problem with a C30 TR. Destin pass bridge is about 49, but it is not on the ICW. Should be a fun trip.

 

[Harleyreef]

Thanks Donny, you are correct. My obstacles would be the Ft. Walton bridge and the Navarre Causeway bridge. Looks like both are right at 50ft on the chart.

 

[dpoole15]

Ft Walton (Brooks) Bridge

I passed under this bridge in my C320 , mast height 47ft-7in and my VHF antenna was clipping the beams. Believe the antenna tip is about 2.5 ft above mast tip but I've not actually measured it. It was not a comfortable experience but we made it through with no antenna damage. Given the 50ft above MHW clearance I decided not to wait for lowest tide but if I went through there again I sure would.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Thanks Donny, you are correct. My obstacles would be the Ft. Walton bridge and the Navarre Causeway bridge. Looks like both are right at 50ft on the chart.

Bridge clearances are always at high water (high tide). If unsure, time yourself. Give yourself a window between low tide and your comfort zone. The good news (if I recall correctly), the Destin area has diurnal tides so between low and half tide would give you close to a 6-hour window ! The bad news is the tidal range can be next to nothing at certain periods of the year. But with a good weather window running outside would be a nice sail ! Have a safe trip

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Timely thread....

I'm looking at making this transit in a '95 C30 MkIII, east to west from Blue Water Bay to Pensacola. Mast height won't be an issue at the Brooks Bridge at Ft Walton Beach, or the beach bridge at Navarre...not that it won't be close if MHW

My question concerns the ICW itself. Looks narrow on the chart from west of the Brooks Bridge to about 10 miles east of the Navarre bridge. I imagine motoring will be required for a while.

Also, I see a note on the chart (11385) about Restricted Area 334.730. Given the time we'll probably get underway, spending a night on the hook will most likely be required, probably east of Navarre. However, it looks to me that anchoring in this area is restricted by the Air Force.

If anyone here is familiar with this area of the ICW and can educate me here, I'd appreciate it.

 

[dpoole15]

Approx 8 NM West of Navarre Bridge is Big Sabine Point, a good anchorage unless you have a strong North Wind. GPS Coordinates N30 21.48, W087 01.16. Its well South of the ICW barge traffic. You can tuck in quite close to the shoreline.

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Very good. I'm familiar with that area...concur, it appears to be a good spot to anchor.

Did you motor through the narrows back in the Fort Walton/Mary Esther area? Looks like that would be the prudent thing to do. Sea room looks limited for sailing.

 

[Harleyreef]

Hi Sluggo, do you have a tall rig on your boat? I was figuring on motoring through most of the narrower areas. If the weather permits, I may jump offshore and bypass most of the ICW. I just want o have both options figured out.

 

[VF84Sluggo]

No, this rig is standard. 46 1/2 ft is what I need, so 50 ft works...by a foot or so when you factor in the VHF antenna and maybe an untimely wake

The tall rig might be tight if at high tide. I think it's good advice to time the passage at low tide. I'd think you'd be ok then. (There are some nice spots in Destin to tie up and wait if needed. Legendary Marine is right at the south end, and east, of the Brooks Bridge. Good spot to fuel up if needed, maybe grab a bite to eat, while you wait.) This time of year the low tides get low, especially after a cold front and the northerly winds.

Even with this, a buddy of mine bought a Catalina 34 in Niceville, and had to go east to Panama City and then out in the gulf to get to Pensacola. Not sure how a C30 tall-rig compares to the mast height of a C34.

I do know the ride in the gulf can get rough, especially with a stiff wind out of the southeast and any weather on the way. Got the CRAP beat out of us about two years ago in these conditions. Still can't get my wife back onboard...