I hit a bridge :(

[charliehows]

i nearly hit one of the piles of the Auckland Harbour Bridge when one of my mates who was steering at the time decided he knew the boat better than i did and ignored my instruction to head well high on the wind because the trimaran didnt have a decent enough keel so tended to actually head about 30 degrees off its nose. I was up forward doing something when i realised the silly bastard was going to go straight into the pile, had to drop the mainsail on my way back to the cockpit to get her back on track - bloke probably still thinks he knew what he was doing.

[GrahamHO]

Originally Posted by charliehows

i nearly hit one of the piles of the Auckland Harbour Bridge when one of my mates who was steering at the time decided he knew the boat better than i did and ignored my instruction to head well high on the wind because the trimaran didnt have a decent enough keel so tended to actually head about 30 degrees off its nose. I was up forward doing something when i realised the silly bastard was going to go straight into the pile, had to drop the mainsail on my way back to the cockpit to get her back on track - bloke probably still thinks he knew what he was doing.

Yes as you know there can be tricky wind gusts and tidal currents there.

[JPA Cate]

I think from now on, when there is a bridge in the area, I will roll up the rain fly to give us overhead visibility

Actually, I think that's a very good idea, and might apply to any time one is under way. It is so d--n hard to balance one's needs for shade and visibility where it is hot and sunny.

FWIW, our solution has been to make an "underway" awning, that covers only one side of the cockpit, so that the watchstander can stand up on the other side of it with total visibility. It zips in at the aft edge of the dodger (on each side) and has two bungies aft. It takes only a moment to drop it when needed, and there is a spot to get out of the brilliant hot sun.

On another note, these "learning experiences" can be quite embarrassing, if not expensive, and usually one beats oneself up a bit afterwards. Sorry it happened, guys. But since it did, learn from it and move on.

Cheers

Ann

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by gizmofish

I am (fairly) new sailor. That being said: Here is a video I came across several years ago that, simply, amuses me. I love this guy and his seamanship.

"A tall mast under a low bridge." It's, obviously, not the first time he has done this.

https://youtu.be/kiv0fxFcV3I

NHF

That's clever. Welcome to CF Gizmo.. had a ferret called Gizmo once. nice ferret.

[Ocean Girl]

Went up the mast. Can see where the forestay scraped the bridge. Rigging fine, no compression or broken strands, but will replace when we get back to the states. No marks on mast, so it never hit the actual mast.
Brian had bought the full set of tangs and chain plates from pacific seacraft ( mast maker co, can't remember name) before we left to go cruising. We had planned to replace everything along the way. This will bump it up on our schedule, though everything looks fine, it is original 1989 tangs/chain plates.
Erika

[JPA Cate]

Things we do to our rigs make us feel safe at sea! Good on ya both, Ocean Girl.

Ann

[xeon_tsd]

Well hell, I joined you in this damn club today.! Morgan City LA. 1st bridge is 72 and second is not. Lost my new wind instrument and dunno the damage yet. Doesn't look bad from dock. I'll investigate in New Orleans. Gonna go have a drink now.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by xeon_tsd

Well hell, I joined you in this damn club today.! Morgan City LA. 1st bridge is 72 and second is not. Lost my new wind instrument and dunno the damage yet. Doesn't look bad from dock. I'll investigate in New Orleans. Gonna go have a drink now.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Sounds like you got away with it too. Congrats!

We decided we will replace the forestay and all tangs, but that is still lucky in my book.

[xeon_tsd]

Thank. I'll let ya know more once we get to N.O.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[xeon_tsd]

NOW! I see the bridge height comments on Active Captain... too bad you can't get AC on your cell phone....

[ErBrown]

Raindog/OG and Xeon - I'm really glad to hear y'all got away with no/minor damage. I'd definitely call that's definitely a win i my book.

Now get out there and enjoy it...oh and blog about it so we have something to get us through our refit. Can't wait to join you 'out there'.

042017

[Capt Phil]

Following this thread made me recall being aboard a friends 60 footer and traveling under the second narrows bridge at the eastern end of Vancouver Harbour. My buddy was on the helm as we powered under the bridge only to have forgotten the railroad lift bridge just east of the second narrows bridge. The bridge tender had seen us coming and attempted to raise the middle span in time but we were coming in a little too hot and clipped the wind vane, and rest of the mast head instruments and anchor light but didn't touch the fore stay or mast. Shithouse luck but still cost a pretty penny to replace what he lost! Lesson learned! Phil

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Went up the mast. Can see where the forestay scraped the bridge. Rigging fine, no compression or broken strands, but will replace when we get back to the states. No marks on mast, so it never hit the actual mast.
Brian had bought the full set of tangs and chain plates from pacific seacraft ( mast maker co, can't remember name) before we left to go cruising. We had planned to replace everything along the way. This will bump it up on our schedule, though everything looks fine, it is original 1989 tangs/chain plates.
Erika

Originally Posted by RainDog

We decided we will replace the forestay and all tangs, but that is still lucky in my book.