O any of the bay sailors know if a 1977 Hunter 30 can clear the route 50 bridge at Cambridge. I am speaking at a conference there early this fall and thought it might be a nice late season sail. I was told by the marina that the bridge is 50 feet mlw. I always assume with bounce etc my 30 needs 48 feet. Sounds like this cutting it way to close for my liking. I can always tie up in town and either walk or bike over but I thought a grand entrance might help an otherwise very dry presentation.
Sail to Cambridge Maryland
- Thread starter MLampner
- Start date
Porpoise effect is another way of saying it. The bay can be very choppy at times with a short period between crests, a fair number of power boats on the Choptank and the fact that is a mean low water number not a high water number makes me nervous. I would feel better if someone had made the run a few times and was comfortable with the clearance. As I am likely to be single handing there is no way to have a lookout up front not that looking up is a terribly good way of determining clearance. If I relied on that we would never go under any bridge. Looking up at the bay bridge with nearly four times the height of the mast top it always looks like you will hit.
Bridge clearances on NOAA charts normally are for mean HIGH water.
The 50' clearance shown on the Choptank R chart should be no exception, but you could check with the local CG station.
Porposing from wake can be avoided by simple waiting until there is no (power)boat traffic. If wind conditions are sever enough to cause more than a foot or two of chop, you probable won't be sailing up the river anyway.
But, as you say, you can always pull into the marina and tie up.
The 50' clearance shown on the Choptank R chart should be no exception, but you could check with the local CG station.
Porposing from wake can be avoided by simple waiting until there is no (power)boat traffic. If wind conditions are sever enough to cause more than a foot or two of chop, you probable won't be sailing up the river anyway.
But, as you say, you can always pull into the marina and tie up.
Or you could sail away after your speech. It could make a very grand exit AFTER a very dry presentation. If it's really all that dry, they might even send you off with fireworks. Shoot, they might even install a drawbridge just to make sure you don't get stuck!
Buck I agree about what charts say but for some reason I can not find the vertical clearance on the chart. It's a reasonably new bridge replacing a much older draw bridge and the release date on the chart is older than the bridge though it does show the new bridge. It may well be there but just can't locate it but calling local CG is a great idea.
Kermit you could have a point there is more than three months so maybe I can get the draw span put in if I rehearse for the organizers soon.
Kermit you could have a point there is more than three months so maybe I can get the draw span put in if I rehearse for the organizers soon.
The Hyatt
I assume you are speaking at the Hyatt. You can make the bridge for sure. You will not encounter waves over 2-3 feet on the Choptank. It's up there a bit and the bay doesn't effect it very much. The Hyatt is super expensive but if you are speking there-definitely worth it.
You are right, you could tie up at the Yacht Maintenance Company. Their facilities are good enough. There is the Cambridge Yacht Club too if you have recriprocating rights from another Yacht Club. For the day of the speech you will have to cab it though. Too far to walk if you plan not to be sweaty on the podium.
It's a nice ride. :dance: Where are you coming from?
-G.
I assume you are speaking at the Hyatt. You can make the bridge for sure. You will not encounter waves over 2-3 feet on the Choptank. It's up there a bit and the bay doesn't effect it very much. The Hyatt is super expensive but if you are speking there-definitely worth it.
You are right, you could tie up at the Yacht Maintenance Company. Their facilities are good enough. There is the Cambridge Yacht Club too if you have recriprocating rights from another Yacht Club. For the day of the speech you will have to cab it though. Too far to walk if you plan not to be sweaty on the podium.
It's a nice ride. :dance: Where are you coming from?
-G.
Heading out of Middle River near Baltimore. Figure it will be a two day trip each way though could be off on that. Unfortunately it will be late in the season a plus for wind a minus for daylight. Yes the place is expensive but I think the conference is paying for a room so hopefully they will be willing to pay dockage instead.