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Bridge Clearance

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JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/23/2003 : 12:56:51

They plan to put in a new bridge at Barnegat Bay close to my marina. Can anyone tell me the "over water" height of my C25 SKSR, including Windex, assuming two people on board after an average breakfast?

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d632b3127cce8cc1e80685990000000010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 13:35:42

I usually just call it 45 feet. Giving me plenty of room to spare. Not that it matters because I can't make it under any of the 8 or 10 drawbridges around here without having them raised. The regular bridges are all over 90 ft so I don't have to worry about those.

Most likely based on this press release I found, you will have to wait for the bridge to go up, but you'll still be able to get through.

"Construction is scheduled to begin in December, with the bridge completed by the fall of 2005, Lotrecchio said.

The existing bridge will remain open, with a four-ton weight restriction, until the new bridge is completed.

The new span will include a double-leaf bascule drawbridge that will double the clearance over the boating channel from 15 feet to 30 feet, Lotrecchio said.

The bridge will also have an 80-foot-wide channel, compared to the existing dual 30-foot channels, he said.

"More than 75 percent of all vessels will be able to pass under the bridge without the need for a bridge opening," Lotrecchio said."

http://www.oceancountygov.com/county/news/rap159.htm

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/images/layout/category_images/t_3964.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 09/23/2003 13:36:15

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 15:48:42

There has been some talk of NY building a replace bridge over the Great Sacandaga Lake. The original number would have provided a 35 foot clearance at high water. With out stuff on the top of the mast, windex and whip antenna, I figured osmeneo would fit under with a little bit to spare, and the l;arger boats on the lake needed more. Our club wants 55 feet, and the current compromise is 42. but the state is short of money so it will remain at 15 feet.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 16:53:02

Duane, tks for the press release. That's her alright, so that means at 30 feet for the bridge I can't fit (Don says 35 feet gives him a foot or so clearance, that would mean I need 34 ft min.).
Maybe I should have a bigger breakfast.

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d632b3127cce8cc1e80685990000000010" border=0>

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 17:09:32

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...that would mean I need 34 ft min.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Joerg,

I may be missing something here, but...

The SR mast extrusion is 28 feet. This summer I obtained the following measurements: 1) bottom of fin keel to top of fin keel at 4 feet, 2) vertical distance from top of fin keel to water line at 1 foot, and 3) water line to deck at 5 feet. The only measurement I don't have is from the deck to the top of the cabin. Assuming that measurement is 2 feet, then from the water line to the masthead is 35 feet. My masthead light extends another 4 to 6 inches up from there.

So, I think your minimum high water mark should be at least 36 feet.

J.B. Manley
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d609b3127cce8d2e212441c60000008010" border=0>
Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
36°29'58" -94°59'59"

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 17:09:58

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Duane, tks for the press release. That's her alright, so that means at 30 feet for the bridge I can't fit (Don says 35 feet gives him a foot or so clearance, that would mean I need 34 ft min.).
Maybe I should have a bigger breakfast.

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d632b3127cce8cc1e80685990000000010" border=0>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Looking at the picture in your signature, I believe you understand the technique for getting under low bridges.

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 18:16:18

The numbers I used were estimates, and I'd rather work with JB's which had some degree of scientific validity instead of a guess. I don't think I feel comfortable going under a 35 foot bridge, unless as Frank is suggesting I have sufficient heel. But my experience sailing under bridges tells me winds around the bridge are really squirelly, and I'd heel enough to get under the girder, and level off while under the bridge, and be stuck!

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2003 : 03:42:24

A very thorough PO measured Encore! to need 38', counting a rather tall fiberglass VHF antenna. A local railroad bridge often says '38' of clearance, but I won't go under it. The bridge tender has watched several times and says it's just too close! I might have the guts to go under a 40' opening, but even that is scarey. The consequences of being wrong are just plain ugly....

JB: "water line to deck at 5 feet"????
I may be missing something myself, but that would seem to be from waterline to the TOP of the cabin, seems to me. No way our boats are 5' from water line to rubrail (deck), more like 2 1/2 feet or so........right?

Gary B.
Encore! SK/SR #685

Edited by - Gary B. on 09/24/2003 03:49:23

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JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2003 : 09:54:14

I don't want to bore you guys with my obsession for bridge clearance, but where I sail bridges are a way of life, and they are typically in the 30" to low 30's range. Two years ago I made it under the 36 foot Mill Basin bridge of the New York Beltway (no way they would have opened up for me!).
From what I read, I add up to appr. 34 feet, as follows: I am 6'2" and can't stand inside with my head up, so I estimate 6 feet from cabin sole to cabin top. Add a generous foot for bilge and hull/top thickness. Deduct approx. 2.5 feet bottom to waterline (rather than 1 foot as suggested by J.B.). That's total 4.5, plus 28 for mast, plus 1 foot for the gear on top of the mast. Total 33.5 feet.
As for Frank's suggestion of sliding underneath the bridge on a heel -this is great! I'll invite the local paper to watch when I try it.

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d632b3127cce8cc1e80685990000000010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2003 : 11:36:57

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
JB: "water line to deck at 5 feet"????
I may be missing something myself, but that would seem to be from waterline to the TOP of the cabin, seems to me. No way our boats are 5' from water line to rubrail (deck), more like 2 1/2 feet or so........right?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Gary,

I might be wrong, as I'm working from memory. However, I was taking the measurements to calibrate my new bidata system and to get a better feel for my scope and rode length requirements. I just remember thinking 4' plus 1' for depth off-set, and another 5' for scope calculations. So, I may have been basing the measurement from the waterline to the bow. However, the beam might be between 3' and 4', since I've been able to kick up out of the water and just barely catch the toe rail.

J.B. Manley
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d609b3127cce8d2e212441c60000008010" border=0>
Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
36°29'58" -94°59'59"

Edited by - on

allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2003 : 00:45:37

Last season, I estimated fairly carefully to try and determine whether or not I could run the ICW w/ a controlling vertical clearance of 35 feet. On my standard rig, I estimated I needed just about exactly 35 feet of clearance to pass through. I passed beneath TWO bridges on the New Jersey ICW last fall (south of Atlantic City) that were marked at 35 and 35.5 feet above the tide line. In both cases, my VHF attenna clipped the understructure of the bridge, bending harmlessly out of the way as the boat passed slowly beneath. Scared me greatly. Wave action could have definitely caused a problem.

<img src="http://www.spvh.net/bridge.jpg" border=0>
Seaside bridge, Barnegat Bay, NJ

-Chris on "SPIRIT" C25 SR WK #5644

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2003 : 14:31:20

On my delivery voyage up the Potomac, we stopped for gas at the Occoquan reservoir on Bull Run. We went under a RR bridge that was supposedly 33'6" (at high tide). At half tide, we scraped through, whipping back the radio antenna, missing the windex by inches! With a rising tide, we gassed up and high-tailed it out of there!

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

Edited by - on

Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2003 : 23:55:43

This brings to mind a classic of what happens when the bridge is too low. This has been posted widely in the past, please excuse me if you have seen the famous tugboat-bridge video before.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/~soldier/towboat.htm

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 00:58:34

What an amazing series of photos. Thanks for sharing.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 10:16:56

Always be mindful that the tide tables are only predictions and estimates.

Wind induced surge can easily throw them off by a foot or more. (not that you should be cutting it that close anyway).

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2003 : 00:22:50

Measure the easy way. See if you find a 45 degree angle among your navigation toys. Otherwise buy or fabricate a 45 degree angle by cutting a square on cardboard and cutting corner to corner. Also bring a level.

Get a tape measure and walk away from the mast on the dock until the triangle held level points to the top of the mast. The distance to the top of the mast is the same as the distance to the mast at the level that you hold the triangle. Measure from the bottom of the triangle to the water and add this distance (assuming that you did not try this at the water level.)

Although this is not a big issue in Houston, check charted height from the charted water datum and consider the tide tables too.

John

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
"Texas Tango"

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2003 : 00:46:15

If both of you eat a good beakfast and sit on the same side of the boat as you pass under the bridge you could make it at 32 feet. If its close do the reverse of letting air out and let some water in. You guys kill me.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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