mast height

[rancher44]

I am looking at a 45 leopard and the mast height is 71'. That pretty well rules out the ICW. Any suggestions . I really like the Leopards . I really would like to do the ICW .

[CarlF]

Take down the mast in Norfolk and put it back up again when you leave the ICW.

You won't have to wait for most draw bridges. Save a lot of time.

[Roy M]

You won't be doing much sailing, anyway, with all that commercial traffic.

[Vasco]

"Doing" the ICW is not the only consideration. Where are you located or where do you intend to store or base the boat? Unless you are cruising offshore all the time the mast height will come into play in NC.,SC.,GA.,and FL.

Your mast height will limit you to a few spots in the warmer US East Coast States. For example in the Miami area you will only be able enter via Biscayne Channel and stay in Biscayne Bay south of the bridge to the Stadium area (name escapes me). Ok in Ft. Lauderdale, all the bridges open. Ft. Pierce you can nearly get up to Vero Beach so you're limited to yards near Ft. Pierce. Some folks heel the boats to get into Vero but I don't think a cat'll do that.

If you're off cruising the Bahamas you'll be fine but you might think twice about running Nassau harbour from east to west. You might have to go out and around.

Again there are ports along the US East coast, e.g. Thunderbolt, GA. where you'll be fine but the mast height will always be a big factor.

[rancher44]

Thanks for the info . I will be bringing the boat from Maryland to Ft Lauderdale

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by rancher44

Thanks for the info . I will be bringing the boat from Maryland to Ft Lauderdale

It'll all be outside. But you can stop at a few places along the way. Beaufort,NC. Charleston,SC. Thunderbolt,GA. Fernandina Beach,Fl. Ft. Pierce, Lake Worth, Ft. Lauderdale FL. So if you want chill and see a bit, it can be done.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by Vasco

...... For example in the Miami area you will only be able enter via Biscayne Channel and stay in Biscayne Bay south of the bridge to the Stadium area (name escapes me).

If you are referring to the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge, it's 76'. So, you can enter Government Cut and get to Biscayne Bay with a 71' mast (going past Marine Stadium).

[scoobert]

IMO the ICW is lackluster. at least from Norfolk to Charleston. Charleston is worth a stop, its very nice here. i hope the cockpit is heated and sealed if your doing this now...

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by DotDun

If you are referring to the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge, it's 76'. So, you can enter Government Cut and get to Biscayne Bay with a 71' mast (going past Marine Stadium).

Jeez, they jacked it up? Thanks for the correction.

[emcmia]

In Miami, the Julia Tuttle (I-195) bridge crossing north Biscayne Bay is only 55 ft. I-395 (Watson Island), Card Sound and Jewfish Creek (Key Largo) bridges are all 65ft.

[RKsailsolo]

Great thread. With so much first hand CF knowledge, is there a central repository of US east coast coastal bridge height documented anywhere?

[smj]

[QUOTE="emcmia;1413603"]In Miami, the Julia Tuttle (I-195) bridge crossing north Biscayne Bay is only 55 ft. I-395 (Watson Island), Card Sound and Jewfish Creek (Key Largo) bridges are all 65ft.[/QUOTE

Not trying to be petty but the Julia Tuttle is 56'

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by RKsailsolo

Great thread. With so much first hand CF knowledge, is there a central repository of US east coast coastal bridge height documented anywhere?

Charts?

Active Captain

[smj]

Originally Posted by RKsailsolo

Great thread. With so much first hand CF knowledge, is there a central repository of US east coast coastal bridge height documented anywhere?

Southern Waterway Guide

[Vasco]

[QUOTE=smj;1413750]

Originally Posted by emcmia

In Miami, the Julia Tuttle (I-195) bridge crossing north Biscayne Bay is only 55 ft. I-395 (Watson Island), Card Sound and Jewfish Creek (Key Largo) bridges are all 65ft.[/QUOTE

Not trying to be petty but the Julia Tuttle is 56'

If you're close to 56' use the draw west of the main draw, there's about a foot more. I guess every inch counts in some cases.