410: Lagoon 410 bridge clearance on ICW

[tahoebyrne]

I just purchased a 2003 Lagoon 410 in Annapolis and plan to sail it down the Chesapeake to the ICW and then down to Florida. I've heard that 65 feet is about the maximum clearance under the bridges on the ICW. I have not measured the height of my mast to verify that it is less than 65'. Has anyone had experience taking a lagoon 410 down the ICW?

I am anxious to get out of Annapolis and headed south because of the potential for winter weather. I plan to leave about Nov 15, am I likely to have winter weather on the Chesapeake Bay?

And what guide books and charts are best for Chesapeake bay and the ICW?

[Sid at SailAway]

I own a 2001 410 and have done the trip several times now. The water levels are down now in South Carolina so you won't have any problem with any of the bridges on the way down. The only bridge you won't make is the Julia Tuttle bridge in Florida. You have to go outside somewhere before that bridge. We go out at Fort Lauderdale and head to Government Cut in Miami.

The 410 has a 62' airdraft and with a three foot antenna on my mast, I haven't touched a bridge yet. You will be fine.

The only guide I use is Skipper Bob's Guide to Anchorages on the ICW. It has served us well, but there are other good guides out there. I'm sure others will chime in with their favorite. By the way, which 410 did you buy?

[CaptainBrad]

I have a 2005 Lagoon 410. My clearance I use a 64' clearance, which is 61' for the mast and 3' for the antennae. We are in Tampa and go through some of the bridges there.

[2hullvenus]

Most every card in Florida said "63" on the way down the last few weeks.

I was surprised. Possibly, the center of the span gets you the extra 2', but damn, that's all very close.