Hunter 23.5 Minimum Vertical Clearance?

[Rick Webb]

A friend of mine just bought a house in St Pete on a canal. We were talking about getting my boat to his house which is restricted by bridges that are about 6'. I measured my mast support at the stern and it looks like I could not do less than 7'. Has anyone ever measured their boat on the water to see what they can clear?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Rick,

I would not recommend going under a bridge with a clearance of 6 feet. What you have to consider of course is the boat but what I would be concerned is a power boat going by creating a lot of wake and if the boat bobbed up throwing you up right as you are going under that bridge, I can see either someone or you seriously getting hurt and possible capitation. Not worth taking the risk of life particuraly yours sir.

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks Dave

I had already decided I was not going to be able to get to his dock and I would just have to tie up at the yacht club. I was just curious what height bridge other guys had managed to navigate through. I'm guessing something around8-10 feet would be the minimum height to squeeze through.

 

[Benny17441]

My take on that situation is that it can be done but it is not probably worth the hassle. You may need to go in at a low tide and at a time when there is no traffic. The kicker is that once you are in in order to get out you will have to repeat the feat. Tide fluctuations here in Florida, in Tampa Bay are small and many times wind dependent. It might be that the low tide needed might not repeat itself in a number of days and then at different hours of day and night. It might be worthwhile if you think of storing the boat there for a few months but if it is just for a visit I would not go through it.

 

[Mike in Cape Cod]

I clicked on "Boat Info" at the top of this page, then choose " Hunter Boat info "and then "Hunter 23.5" and it states under specifications that the mast height is 33 feet six inches.

 

[Rick Webb]

Looking for Clearance With Mast Down

My fault as I did not make that more apparent.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Rick;

You know who I am and my relationship to these boats. I have designed rigs for folks to go under low bridging but what you were asking if you could clear a low bridge with the mast down. It depends of course on the bridge clearance however, if the bridge is too low, the answer is no for possible damage to the boat and rigging and not to mention the folks on board. I had one customer trying that stunt and he hit his head as well going under a bridge which he was in a neck brace for weeks. I would err on the side of safety. I think you know me well enough on safety to boats and people. No more to be said.

 

[jeffclown]

"possible capitation..."
cavitation: formation and subsequent collapse of bubbles as pressure at propeller blades drops below vapor pressure (i.e. low-pressure boiling)
decapitation: vacancy where there used to be someone's head

 

[Rick Webb]

I'm Not Vertically Challenged

My noggin should not be in the way of the bridge if the mast in the cradle clears it. I had already figured out 6' is too low I was just wondering if someone had figured out how high is high enough 8'? I am sure 10' is plenty, how high is too low?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

simple to measure from the water lineto the mast resting in the mast crutch with the boat tied to a dock.

 

[voageur tj]

New to forum, but can't resist telling this recent story. We have a newly renovated inland bridge over the Chowan River near Winton NC. Wind was favorable and light. Sails up, I approached close enough to read the gauge at water level: 30 to 34 and some algae... I had in my mind 35 for clearance- convenient memory- not based on specifications or measure. I went forward slowly and made the mistake of looking up to see my 1/4" x 2 foot whip antenna bending and twanging on each of the numerous beams. I have a 9.9 outboard and my 240 lb body at the tiller.. Otherwise standard light loading. I would not go under mast up with less than 35 feet!!