I currently own a 1980 Hunter 33. My question is how tall is the masthead from the waterline. The chart gives a dimension of just over 47 feet, but doesn't specify if this is from the waterline or the deck. I am planning a cruise down the Mississippi and the Tenn-Tom waterway to the gulf and am concerned about bridge clearance.
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Mast height
I have a copy of the original sales liturature for my 1982. It says mast height from waterline = 47'-3" .
I have a copy of the original sales liturature for my 1982. It says mast height from waterline = 47'-3" .
mast height is from water
The specified height of 47ft 3" is from waterline. I have a 79 H 33 and have sailed it for several years on the florida panhandle icw as well as up the Tenn-Tom as far as Demopolis with no problem passing under a number of bridges that show on the charts at 50 feet. When the height boards show less than 49 feet, the aerial may ding on the girders. Any posted clearance of 50 feet or over which I believe you will find on your planned route should be fine, just make a practice of always checking the clearance boards at each bridge. One of the really neat things about the H33 is that it has just about the tallest mast that can go through a lot of the ICW on the Florida panhandle.
The specified height of 47ft 3" is from waterline. I have a 79 H 33 and have sailed it for several years on the florida panhandle icw as well as up the Tenn-Tom as far as Demopolis with no problem passing under a number of bridges that show on the charts at 50 feet. When the height boards show less than 49 feet, the aerial may ding on the girders. Any posted clearance of 50 feet or over which I believe you will find on your planned route should be fine, just make a practice of always checking the clearance boards at each bridge. One of the really neat things about the H33 is that it has just about the tallest mast that can go through a lot of the ICW on the Florida panhandle.
Be Shure - Measure It
Take a surveyors tape (or if not available, another line) and attach it to the main halyard and hoist it up to the top (max hoist). Measure the distance to the water if it is the surveyors tape or note the point on the line if it isn't and measure it when the line is pulled down. Add the estimated distance above the halyard max hoist for things like VHF antenna or windex.
Take a surveyors tape (or if not available, another line) and attach it to the main halyard and hoist it up to the top (max hoist). Measure the distance to the water if it is the surveyors tape or note the point on the line if it isn't and measure it when the line is pulled down. Add the estimated distance above the halyard max hoist for things like VHF antenna or windex.
Tenn-Tom Trip
Charles, Let me know how your trip down the Tenn-Tom goes. I have a 33 and am planning the same trip. Old salts have told me that there is no problem with the bridges all the way to the gulf. There is a book about traveling the Tenn-Tom; you might consider it if you do not have it. Good luck, Joe
Charles, Let me know how your trip down the Tenn-Tom goes. I have a 33 and am planning the same trip. Old salts have told me that there is no problem with the bridges all the way to the gulf. There is a book about traveling the Tenn-Tom; you might consider it if you do not have it. Good luck, Joe
Bridges
Charles, There is only one bridge that will cause trouble for the 47'3" mast of the 33 and that one is at the lower end of KY Lake. Let me know how your trip goes-- joegooch@hotmail.com
Charles, There is only one bridge that will cause trouble for the 47'3" mast of the 33 and that one is at the lower end of KY Lake. Let me know how your trip goes-- joegooch@hotmail.com
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