Anyone here sail on Lake Washington in Seattle? I sailed my Catalina 22 under the East half of the floating bridge (Mercer island end of the floating part) yesterday. Just wondering how much clearance there is under that part between the pillars. I didn't hit anything, but passing under the bridge it sure looked like the top of the mast was close, but I'm sure it was just the angle also. My mast is about 30 feet above the water. Hopefully, I didn't do something stupid or was just lucky! Anyone know how much room there is under each end of that bridge? I couldn't find anything on the internet about that. Tom
Seattle sailors?? : I-90 bridge question
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bridge clearances
bridge clearances are posted on nautical charts, not on the internet. Please don't go sailing again without the proper charts, it's just not prudent. And please don't rely in information from sites such as this for navigational information. Unfortuntately, incorrect info is often posted on this site. Bottom line: a prudent mariner would never sail under a bridge without knowing (1) the EXACT height above water of the masthead, and (2) the posted bridge clearance at mean higher high tide.
bridge clearances are posted on nautical charts, not on the internet. Please don't go sailing again without the proper charts, it's just not prudent. And please don't rely in information from sites such as this for navigational information. Unfortuntately, incorrect info is often posted on this site. Bottom line: a prudent mariner would never sail under a bridge without knowing (1) the EXACT height above water of the masthead, and (2) the posted bridge clearance at mean higher high tide.
We have had two boats in the Bush River burned
to the waterline by sailing into overhead power cables that are plainly marked on the charts. These cables are near a fixed railroad bridge that has only 12 feet clearance.
to the waterline by sailing into overhead power cables that are plainly marked on the charts. These cables are near a fixed railroad bridge that has only 12 feet clearance.
Lk Washington
Since there are no tides in Lk Washington the idea of "higher high water", etc. doesn't mean the same as it does in Puget Sound. Having said that; the Corps of Engineers are constantly adjusting the water levels in Lk Washington. We have sailed under the bridge that runs from Mercer Island to the Mainland on the Bellevue side. The clearances are clearly marked on the bridge supports. They are also on both our electronic and paper charts which should be the final authority.
Since there are no tides in Lk Washington the idea of "higher high water", etc. doesn't mean the same as it does in Puget Sound. Having said that; the Corps of Engineers are constantly adjusting the water levels in Lk Washington. We have sailed under the bridge that runs from Mercer Island to the Mainland on the Bellevue side. The clearances are clearly marked on the bridge supports. They are also on both our electronic and paper charts which should be the final authority.
bridge
There was some water marks on the bridge, but I didn't see much else indicating the clearance. Good to know that a 38 foot mast cleared ok. I knew I was fine, but the angle looking up from the cockpit just made it look close since it was hard to judge at that point - where it could have been too late. Ok, along with other boat parts, charts are now added to the list. But I don't see myself really doing much sailing other than Lake Washington in the near future. That is the only spot that I was questioning, but I'll soon probably deal with Lake Union next. Tom
There was some water marks on the bridge, but I didn't see much else indicating the clearance. Good to know that a 38 foot mast cleared ok. I knew I was fine, but the angle looking up from the cockpit just made it look close since it was hard to judge at that point - where it could have been too late. Ok, along with other boat parts, charts are now added to the list. But I don't see myself really doing much sailing other than Lake Washington in the near future. That is the only spot that I was questioning, but I'll soon probably deal with Lake Union next. Tom
Hi Tom, I just checked my nav chart for any kind..
of navigation information regarding Lake Washington (chart number 18441). Nothing there as far as bridge clearances, depths, hazards, nav aids, etc. Check with WM to see whether any harbor charts exist for those waters. Lots of commercial traffic through the locks and into Lake Union...must be something. Terry
of navigation information regarding Lake Washington (chart number 18441). Nothing there as far as bridge clearances, depths, hazards, nav aids, etc. Check with WM to see whether any harbor charts exist for those waters. Lots of commercial traffic through the locks and into Lake Union...must be something. Terry
EyeSpy
I don't think the link worked. It's the EyeSpy site. All the charts you care to look at, magnified as big as you need them.
I don't think the link worked. It's the EyeSpy site. All the charts you care to look at, magnified as big as you need them.
I was just looking at the Chart Viewer web site
They show a pontoon bridge carrying I90 across Lake Washington Vertical clearance 29 feet and horizontal clearance 195 feet. Chart number 18447 http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/PacificCoastViewerTable.htm
They show a pontoon bridge carrying I90 across Lake Washington Vertical clearance 29 feet and horizontal clearance 195 feet. Chart number 18447 http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/PacificCoastViewerTable.htm
The last two letters show why you need charts.
It's easy to get confused if you don't plot your course before sailing into unfamiliar waters. There are five different bridge spans over Lake Washington and they are not all high enough for your 30 ft mast. You got lucky and went under the right one. The two previous posters are talking about different spans one east and one west of Mercer Is. There is one excellent chart that covers all of the lake plus the ship canal. You should have a paper copy on board. They make great nautical decorations.
It's easy to get confused if you don't plot your course before sailing into unfamiliar waters. There are five different bridge spans over Lake Washington and they are not all high enough for your 30 ft mast. You got lucky and went under the right one. The two previous posters are talking about different spans one east and one west of Mercer Is. There is one excellent chart that covers all of the lake plus the ship canal. You should have a paper copy on board. They make great nautical decorations.
Uh.......
I guess the water level has been lowered. The part I went under says...uh...um...29 feet....oh sh!t! I'm surprised I didn't knock off my newly installed windex up there. Or the entire mast for that matter. I had a pretty stiff wind behind me too, that would have mangled everything. Suddenly I feel kind of sick and need to go lie down. I'm ordering charts right now. :-| Another lesson learned, and more experience to put in my nearly empty "bag of experience" and another notch in my adventure stick - not my mast. Sheesh! Ughhhh! (Thanks for the link to that chart site though) Tom
I guess the water level has been lowered. The part I went under says...uh...um...29 feet....oh sh!t! I'm surprised I didn't knock off my newly installed windex up there. Or the entire mast for that matter. I had a pretty stiff wind behind me too, that would have mangled everything. Suddenly I feel kind of sick and need to go lie down. I'm ordering charts right now. :-| Another lesson learned, and more experience to put in my nearly empty "bag of experience" and another notch in my adventure stick - not my mast. Sheesh! Ughhhh! (Thanks for the link to that chart site though) Tom
Tom, good idea
to:..."Another lesson learned, and more experience to put in my nearly empty "bag of experience" and another notch in my adventure stick - not my mast. Sheesh!" Sheesh is right. Before you go out and potentially hurt others, to say nothing about you and your guests: BUY A BOOK AND READ IT! Try Chapman's -- it's "Basic Boat 101 for Everyone." Sailing for Idiots is also well written, but with more humor. Either way, it's a win win situation - you get safer and those around you benefit. Sorry for the rant, but...I'm NOT your mother -- although we'd probably get along right well after she heard your story. We've ALL done tons of dumb things, and some of us have even written in about them, but we've all learned to learn how to learn -- and quickly. "Notches in your adventure stick" is NOT the right attitude or approach. Instead, mellow, and try putting some good learning and maintenance-before-it-fails efforts into a little pirates chest on board your boat. Then, when the S**t hits the fan, you'll have some good deeds to see you through. Fair winds.
to:..."Another lesson learned, and more experience to put in my nearly empty "bag of experience" and another notch in my adventure stick - not my mast. Sheesh!" Sheesh is right. Before you go out and potentially hurt others, to say nothing about you and your guests: BUY A BOOK AND READ IT!
Try Chapman's -- it's "Basic Boat 101 for Everyone." Sailing for Idiots is also well written, but with more humor. Either way, it's a win win situation - you get safer and those around you benefit. Sorry for the rant, but...I'm NOT your mother -- although we'd probably get along right well after she heard your story. We've ALL done tons of dumb things, and some of us have even written in about them, but we've all learned to learn how to learn -- and quickly. "Notches in your adventure stick" is NOT the right attitude or approach. Instead, mellow, and try putting some good learning and maintenance-before-it-fails efforts into a little pirates chest on board your boat. Then, when the S**t hits the fan, you'll have some good deeds to see you through. Fair winds.
He had specifically stated the floating bridge.
The charts that I referanced shows only one pontoon bridge on I95 and it has a vertical clearance of 29 feet. If he was heeled when he sailed under it would explain why he didn't bump.
The charts that I referanced shows only one pontoon bridge on I95 and it has a vertical clearance of 29 feet. If he was heeled when he sailed under it would explain why he didn't bump.
one more step
specs for your boat are posted on this site. follow the link below and find out your mast height.
specs for your boat are posted on this site. follow the link below and find out your mast height.
Heeled / mast hieght
No, I wasn't heeled. Wind was directly from the south so I was running north. That would have been a lot of force against that mast if I hit. Yeah, mast is 29 feet - I assume that is from the waterline? Then add about 1.5 feet for the Windex "bird swatter" at the top. Damn.... I've been sailing my whole life - in a smaller Lido 14, but that was in another lake. I never had anything to duck under over there. I've learned a lot now, but I still feel sick about this. Dumb, dumb, dumb, DUMB! Tom "poster child of stupid sailors" P.S. still debating if I should tell mom about this. Girlfriend was along on the boat, that was bad enough....
No, I wasn't heeled. Wind was directly from the south so I was running north. That would have been a lot of force against that mast if I hit. Yeah, mast is 29 feet - I assume that is from the waterline? Then add about 1.5 feet for the Windex "bird swatter" at the top. Damn.... I've been sailing my whole life - in a smaller Lido 14, but that was in another lake. I never had anything to duck under over there. I've learned a lot now, but I still feel sick about this. Dumb, dumb, dumb, DUMB! Tom "poster child of stupid sailors" P.S. still debating if I should tell mom about this. Girlfriend was along on the boat, that was bad enough....
You learned, that's what's important
Tom, You've learned an incredibly valuable lesson - I don't see any reason to tell Mom or the GF, just don't do it again! ;-) Dave Wind Dreamer II
Tom, You've learned an incredibly valuable lesson - I don't see any reason to tell Mom or the GF, just don't do it again! ;-) Dave Wind Dreamer II
Tom, east channel I90 bridge is 71 foot clearance
See if the link works to the chart, shoot didn't work. But using Ross' link to chart 18447 you just zoom in to read the vert clerance for the bridge.
See if the link works to the chart, shoot didn't work. But using Ross' link to chart 18447 you just zoom in to read the vert clerance for the bridge.
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