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SVP · 20-12-2013, 07:02

I am a "new" 2007 lagoon 420 owner. I hope to take her up and down the Atlantic Coast in and out of the ICW. I realize the bridge clearance of my 2007 420 is 64'9" but I also have a raymarine st60 windspeed instrument on top of the mast that may be 6". and an antenna that appears to extend a foot above the mast. (I haven't been up there). The bridges on the ICW are 65 feet. Have any of you Lagoon 420 owners gone down the ICW? Or is there anyone else w similar mast height who has been on ICW. Do you just go under the fixed bridges at low or mid tide to avoid damage to your equipment on top of the mast? I figure I can lower the antenna but doubt I can change the windspeed instrument height much. Guess I could get a foot cut off the mast and the sail altered but that sounds expensive. Would love any advice/sharing of experience. This looks like an awesome forum. Thanks!!!! -SVP

**HappyMdRSailor** · 20-12-2013, 07:31

Welcome to the forum SVP!

Tons of regulars in the know will have the answer posted shortly I'm sure...

(reads... I have other areas of un-expertise not so important)

S/V Pearl · 20-12-2013, 09:33

This will be a problem for you:

Cruising News 12/05/2012:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that they have corrected the tidal gauges on this bridge and that it has a height at Mean High Water of 64 Feet (NOT 65). The USCG states that they will have NOAA confirm this report and issue appropriate changes to the charts.

Safe travels

DrivinSteve · 20-12-2013, 09:58

The Wilkerson Bridge at MM126, just at the lower end of the Pungo River Canal, is actually 64 Ft. a MHW. There is very little tidal range here and is mostly wind driven.
The latest version of the chart (paper correction) has the correct clearance and the clearance boards have been verified. (another example of why it is important to carry paper charts and check LNTMs for and make the changes relevant to your mission.)
The anemometer at the mast top usually has a quick connector that can be easily disconnected and the antenna should be easy to take off as well. If it was just the VHF whip, these are very often twanged under bridges but the wind stick is a pretty expensive mistake. These kinds of situations require a trip to the top or a wait for perfect tidal conditions. Monohulls can often get away with heeling the boat; cats, not so much!

SVP · 20-12-2013, 10:25

Thank you all so much!!! Will stay away from Topsail Island Bridge and Wilkerson bridge! Would hate to have my equipment on the mast torn off...

Having boat fixed up and tuned up in May when we bring her to the Carolinas and have a route to the yacht yard with clearance. Will see if I can get antenna lowered and measure exactly what my true bridge clearance is with the remaining equipment on top.

Would still love to hear if anyone with a lagoon 420 out there has traveled the ICW? Saw one guy on line had 1 foot cut off mast. Want that to be my last resort... Posted same topic in the lagoon 420 owners area too.

Thanks again!!! Happy holidays and sailing!

Vasco · 20-12-2013, 10:56

I saw a novel approach from a guy in a big cat..... go through backwards and goose it hard forward if you're a bit short of clearance. He got through, I waited and watched. I would freak out if my mast were taller than 63 feet. Those tide boards lie. The experienced guys count the wooden fender timbers at the sides of the draw.

Vasco · 20-12-2013, 11:00

While you're staying away put Julia Tuttle in Miami on the list.

tdoster · 20-12-2013, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

I saw a novel approach from a guy in a big cat..... go through backwards and goose it hard forward if you're a bit short of clearance. He got through, I waited and watched. I would freak out if my mast were taller than 63 feet. Those tide boards lie. The experienced guys count the wooden fender timbers at the sides of the draw.

I thought of hoisting my ex-wife up the mast in the chair and cleating it off. If she yelled stop stop stop! We would probably not make it under.

Jeannius · 20-12-2013, 11:46

I went down the ICW with a 64 foot something mast. I thought it was 62 ft until I lost the vhf aerial etc in the Dismal Swamp.

You can do most of the trip easily because the tidal range will give you clearance, you just have to time things properly.

The only problem was around Morehead City where the tidal range was too small for me to risk it. We went outside for that section.

Vasco · 20-12-2013, 11:50

Don't think there's much tide at the Wilkerson, mostly wind driven.

Paul L · 20-12-2013, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

Don't think there's much tide at the Wilkerson, mostly wind driven.

An alternate to the Pungo Canal route is to go out by Roanoke Island. I took my 64'4" air draft stick that way with 6'6" draft.

caradow · 21-12-2013, 16:38

Have you thought about just taking your rig out then going down the ICW then putting it back in when you have arrived at wherever you are going?
I would certainly entertain that before I would cut my rig down just to get under a bridge!
However I must ask since you have an ocean going boat why don't you just go offshore and save yourself a lot of trouble?

Vasco · 21-12-2013, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by caradow

Have you thought about just taking your rig out then going down the ICW then putting it back in when you have arrived at wherever you are going?
I would certainly entertain that before I would cut my rig down just to get under a bridge!
However I must ask since you have an ocean going boat why don't you just go offshore and save yourself a lot of trouble?

Yes the best way to do the AICW is in and out. We try to skip Georgia.