Hunter VS Bridge

[John C. Baumgartner]

Last Dec I purched a Hunter 260, the first time I took it out (with a Bunch of Friends) I tried to go under a bridge that was marked with a clearence of 50 ft, in reading the manual the bridge clearance was stated as 45 ft, well to make a long store shorter, something was not right and I hit the bridge and broke the mast in half and the hull to deck was cracked from bow to the chain plate. (This is one of the reasons that Hunter sent out the bolt kit.) I took my Baums Rush to Crazy Dave at American Marine and Sail Supply in Zebulon NC. The insurance adjuster and Dave got together and determined the the bill of around $5500, my shair was about $600. Dave had to take the boat to VA to an expert in hull-deck repair and order the mast. I got the boat back June 22. In the mean time I had ordered a crusing spinaker and asked Dave to setup the hardware to make it work. Dave did the work for me and charged me only $569 for all the hardware and time he spent on attaching this hardware. The bimini also was damaged when the mast broke and Dave came to the rescue and loaned me one for the time beening I want to publicly thank Dave for all his help. The only question I have left is about the table wobble. But Dave did me right and I want to say thanks, and when Dave suggest something take it to heart. John Baumgartner The fixed Bums Rush

 

[Mike Webstrer]

More to the Story?

I'm glad to hear that everything is working out ok, but it sure sounds like there is more to this story. It would be interesting to hear it.I checked the model data, and it gives a 40' mast height. Even with a 45' bridge clearance, there was still plenty of room. What really happened?Reminds me of a nice new 26' McGregor sailboat that used to sit at the end of our dock, the model with the 50hp motor that will plane. Upon returning to our boat one weekend, we noticed that the mast on the McGregor was no longer standing, but was draped across the boat as if ready for trailoring. However, the mast had a large bend in the middle.I never got a chance to talk to the skipper, but the scuttlebut around the marina was that he ran into Browns Bridge. That bridge only has 30' of clearance. Another story I'd like to hear.Anyway, good luck with your boat!

 

[Al]

bridge clearance?

I would also like to here a little more about your bout with a bridge. I often sail my H260 under a fixed bridge (Long Island Bridge in Boston) that is listed on the charts as having 51 ft of verticle clearance. I've gone under it within a couple of hours of high tide and it appears that I have about 7-8 feet between the mast and bridge. I have not had the nerve to try going under at high tide. I usually will pass under it if the water line is at a certain mark (3 granite blocks from the top of the bridge footing) on the bridge footing.Does bridge clearance on a chart indicate clearance at high tide??And, is the height from the water of an H260 truelly 40 ft??

 

[Paul]

Mean High Water

Bridge clearances are always given relative to "Mean High Water". Is that the highest tide possible? No, but it's close.The only bridge I go under with any frequency has a clearance of 81 feet, but that's only at the highest point of the arch. At other points under the bridge, but still within the navigable channel, I estimate the clearance at 10 to 15 feet less. I'm not even sure exactly where the 81 foot clearance is, it's hard to tell from the water.So, even with clearance information from the chart a lot of care is still necessary.

 

[John Baumgartner]

more to the story

The bridge was across a man made lake in N.C. across Lake Tillery, at full pond (no tide) the bridge clearance is stated at 50 ft, I have yet to go back and measure it, nor have I measured the new mast (but I will)Baums Rush

 

[John Baumgartner]

bridge clearance (more)

The measured boat bridge clearance is as stated in the manual 40 ft plus 2 feet for the mast mounted antenia. So my guess is that the bridge was mis stated. The bridge hit the mast 18 inches down from the mast head.