We passed under our first lift bridge last week with our H34 ( not a lot of them around here) I never realized how difficult it is to judge height from below! After passing under and looking back at other masts comming through we must have had at least 15 feet of clearance,from below we all thought we were not going to make it( including one firefighter of 30 years experience) That is until the voice of GOD ( the bridge keeper) boomed out- TAKE'ER THROUGH- YOU HAVE LOTS OF ROOM! I have new found admiration for you guys who pass under bridges with 4 fet or so of clearance based on published data.
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Around World no Bridges
Once heard a quote from an Annapolis Md sailor that he can leave his mooring and sail around the world and back never passing unde a bridge Pleasant thought t
Once heard a quote from an Annapolis Md sailor that he can leave his mooring and sail around the world and back never passing unde a bridge Pleasant thought t
It certainly does provide a scary illusion
Sevaral years ago we had to pass under a few while sailing from to Port Clinton in OH (lake Erie) to Port Dalhousey in Ontario Canada (Lake Ontario). I think there was even one en route through the Welland Canal (the canal was an experience all its own). It prepared me for the fixed bridge I routenly have to go under just to get from my berth to the lake along Oak Orchard Creek. I clear it by 10 feet or so, but it always looks like it is going to hit. It's a great prank to pull on unknowing guests who come aboard. Just start talking about how the lake level is so high and how you don't have much clearance to begin with and that someday you are sure its going to hit and... You get the idea. Paul
Sevaral years ago we had to pass under a few while sailing from to Port Clinton in OH (lake Erie) to Port Dalhousey in Ontario Canada (Lake Ontario). I think there was even one en route through the Welland Canal (the canal was an experience all its own). It prepared me for the fixed bridge I routenly have to go under just to get from my berth to the lake along Oak Orchard Creek. I clear it by 10 feet or so, but it always looks like it is going to hit. It's a great prank to pull on unknowing guests who come aboard. Just start talking about how the lake level is so high and how you don't have much clearance to begin with and that someday you are sure its going to hit and... You get the idea. Paul
It's more fun when you hear
Thwang! Thwang! as the antenna hits the steel griders as you pass under. Jim S/V Java
Thwang! Thwang! as the antenna hits the steel griders as you pass under. Jim S/V Java
Try it in a race!
We have a race here in NorCal that goes from SF Bay to Stockton, about 70 miles upriver, all downwind and mostly spinnaker. You pass under 6 bridges to make the course. There's the story that a few years ago, the tide was particularly high and one of the larger boats passed under one of the shorter bridges only by intentionally forcing a roundup as they passed under the bridge, which heeled them enough get thru without hitting! I'd be afraid a roundup under the bridge might cause me to collide with a bridge abutment!
We have a race here in NorCal that goes from SF Bay to Stockton, about 70 miles upriver, all downwind and mostly spinnaker. You pass under 6 bridges to make the course. There's the story that a few years ago, the tide was particularly high and one of the larger boats passed under one of the shorter bridges only by intentionally forcing a roundup as they passed under the bridge, which heeled them enough get thru without hitting! I'd be afraid a roundup under the bridge might cause me to collide with a bridge abutment!
Too close for comfort
The NOAA cahrts say that there is 60' of clearance but when you get there, the bridge markings says 56' at high water. We managed to get our 56' mast under with perhaps 6" to spare if you believe the water height ruler. There is no way to see if you are going to make it by looking up the mast.
The NOAA cahrts say that there is 60' of clearance but when you get there, the bridge markings says 56' at high water. We managed to get our 56' mast under with perhaps 6" to spare if you believe the water height ruler. There is no way to see if you are going to make it by looking up the mast.
Install a crows nest
Like the old sailing ships, install a crows nest, and get someone to go up there with a 2 way radio. Of course, if you don't make it under the bridge, the person up there will have a wild ride. ;d;d
Like the old sailing ships, install a crows nest, and get someone to go up there with a 2 way radio. Of course, if you don't make it under the bridge, the person up there will have a wild ride. ;d;d
now that you can get little cameras the size
of a thumbnail, im sorely tempted to install one on top of my mast, looking forward. That would be handy to see ahead in the ICWs too!
of a thumbnail, im sorely tempted to install one on top of my mast, looking forward. That would be handy to see ahead in the ICWs too!
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