Are there any fixed Bridges between west palm beach and ft lauderdale, all opening?

[Stmurray62]

The Navionics app (get it on an iPad), shows, among or very detailed things, the horizontal and the all important vertical clearance of each and every bridge on the ICW. It also provides whether it is “fixed” or a draw/bascule bridge, and it provides the individual bridge contact number opening schedule, etc. It’s a relatively cheap ap (about $30.00) annually. Or you can just “trial” it for 30 days. Finally, with a 75 ft air draft, it must be a good sized (50 ft or more), why not just sail/mortar down the coast, close in to avoid the northerly flowing Gulf Stream and Cris’s over at or around Ft Auderdale???

[TBW]

Go Tuesday

[dickfred]

Originally Posted by Stmurray62

The Navionics app (get it on an iPad), shows, among or very detailed things, the horizontal and the all important vertical clearance of each and every bridge on the ICW. It also provides whether it is “fixed” or a draw/bascule bridge, and it provides the individual bridge contact number opening schedule, etc. It’s a relatively cheap ap (about $30.00) annually. Or you can just “trial” it for 30 days. Finally, with a 75 ft air draft, it must be a good sized (50 ft or more), why not just sail/mortar down the coast, close in to avoid the northerly flowing Gulf Stream and Cris’s over at or around Ft Auderdale???

Lived and sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale for fourteen years. When sailing to the Bahamas, generally went south to Cape Florida before crossing.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Stmurray62

The Navionics app (get it on an iPad), shows, among or very detailed things, the horizontal and the all important vertical clearance of each and every bridge on the ICW. It also provides whether it is “fixed” or a draw/bascule bridge, and it provides the individual bridge contact number opening schedule, etc. ...

Navionics is not clear about the Southern Blvd bridge. It really requires local knowledge. In this case two delivery guys who have been through there

Originally Posted by Stmurray62

why not just sail/mortar down the coast, close in to avoid the northerly flowing Gulf Stream and Cris’s over at or around Ft Auderdale???

LOL tell me how that mortar thing works for you..

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Snore

Not a typo!! Mean LOW water

I thought MLW was a given?

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Sailingveterinarian

A word of caution. The bridge operators at Southern Blvd. are saying there is 65 foot air draft. Not even close. This is a temporary bridge, plus half of the new opening bridge is presently in the down position.
Last weekend I was delivering a Leopard cat from Hallandale to Riviera Beach...owner’s request to come up the ICW. After 23 bridges, no way we were getting through. Had to go back south and out the Boca inlet.

I'm readily imagining the choice words of frustration upon discovering that impediment to travel.

So did that become a 46 bridges round trip?

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I thought MLW was a given?

MLW is for depth. MHW is for bridge clearance

[Sailorlady323]

Also check power lines. Could be a problem.

[GRIT]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. It's nice to know, that it's normally possible to take the waterway to get to Ft Lauderdale, from Palm beach, even with our air draft.

A very helpful thread.

Cheers all.
Paul.