H34 height above waterline

[lakesailer22]

Hello. I am new to Hunter Forums. My brother and I have purchased a 1985 34 ft Hunter. It is located on the Tennessee River. We are looking to take her to Mobil Al. I am wondering how tall she is above the waterline. There are 7 bridges on the trip that are 52 ft clearances, the rest are 57 and up. Will I need to drop the mast for the trip? Not finding the info I am looking for. If some of you could direct me, where to look would be great.
Thanks
Burt

 

[Tom-in-Annapolis]

From the specs the mast height is 51' 6 in. Of course that does not include any antenna, windex, etc.
Tom

 

[Don Crowther]

Burt
Congrats on the new to you boat. My owners manual says the waterline to top of mast is 51'6".
I've attached a brochure for you. Enjoy your trip. You may have to load up one side in order to slip under a couple of bridges.

 

[Charlie98117]

Burt
You may have to load up one side in order to slip under a couple of bridges.

and send someone up in a bosun chair to fend off. It would be a shame to have to motor the whole distance but that is cutting it close.

I'm wondering also if there might have been different masts installed. The I dimension listed on the brochure Don attached is 46'-0" which I've seen alot. I've also seen 47'-5" in different places like here, http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=2093. This made me think there were perhaps 2 mast heights?

 

[markwbird]

51'-6" is dry and unloaded so it will be a little less with water, fuel, people etc. Also, you can heel the boat a lttle to go under bridges extra clearance. So, it looks like you are OK.

 

[Mark48]

Look on the internet for some videos of people tilting their boats to clear bridges. Usually done with water balast hung from the main sheet over one side. Something you may want to practice before undertaking the vouyage. I have an 85/34 and really enjoy the boat. It is tender and I reef about 15kts with a 135 genoa. Also if you have the Hood 810 continuous line furler, think about changing it or find an adaptor kit for going single line.

 

[Richard Bryer]

You could get my wife to load your boat with all the things she thinks she needs aboard- that would probably get you lots of clearance

 

[Capt jgw]

I've seen those videos, it's kind of scary but it does work. I once hung a water filled dinghy from the boom of a grounded boat, didn't even have to lift it all the way out of the water before the keel pulled out of the mud and we were able to motor away. That should get you the couple of feet you need, no problem.

 

[Don Crowther]

You could get my wife to load your boat with all the things she thinks she needs aboard- that would probably get you lots of clearance

Richard I must have married her sister.

 

[kloudie1]

Rich/Don Laughing.. just try to get her to keep it on port side to cancel the natural starboard heel!..
Call it 52 feet from water to top. add a coupla feet for VHF antenna.. My antenna has touched the Perdido Pass bridge beams.. It is listed as 54 feet but I had less than mean high water. Bridge boards read 55 feet that day. Usually the bridge approach has marker boards with the clearance measurement on the board. The measurement is taken at the water level.. as the water level varies, the board shows the appropriate measurement.. and YES it will make your heart pound when it is close!

 

[lakesailer22]

I have a sister-in-law like that. I was thinking the height were based on basic weight. thank you for the reply, it is helpful.

 

[lakesailer22]

Thank you all for the replyes. They are all helpful. We are still getting used to the boat. We are new to sailing, so will be back with lots of questions.