Abandoning ICW (Mast Height) will I care ?

[Auspicious]

Why has no one posted this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiv0fxFcV3I

Brush up on SOH CAH TOA and you're all set. Two good sized lift bags for well under $500 - a one-time expense. Sail whenever you want, don't worry about 20 or 25 feet. Obviously won't work for catamarans.

[merrydolphin]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

You may be forced, (moaning, wailing, gnashing of teeth,) to go to a Ketch rig. It will open-up a lot more choices in the length you're looking for.

Love my Cal 2-46 Ketch. Great boat in so many ways including mast height.

[Chachere]

And then there's this approach (if you have enough $$): just have them temporarily remove the bridge for you:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...oss-superyacht

[Propellerhead]

There are catamarans on the low side of your size range with icw friendly mast height and draft Lagoon 380 for instance is 56ft. You get the space and convenience.

To answer your question though, I think you will care. There are long stretches in Florida with no inlet. More likely to get caught out in bad weather.

[capn_billl]

I have a 68 ft mast. if I had to do it over again a 65 ft would be better.

Many 55ft bridges, some 65 ft bridges, only two 70 ft bridges, and I decided not to risk one of them.

There are few no bridge marinas, having a tall mast really limits you.

And taking down a 68 ft mast is a no go. Even if I found a crane to do so, that's a long stick on a 40ft boat deck.

[merrydolphin]

I have a Cal 2-46 ketch with just a 47 foot vertical clearance. I love it. Easier sail handling too.

[kmacdonald]

Draft will limit ICW use as much as vertical clearance. I would guess that dredging operations will cease in a lot of the ICW. Only sections with commercial traffic will be maintained.

[Sailorman97]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Draft will limit ICW use as much as vertical clearance. I would guess that dredging operations will cease in a lot of the ICW. Only sections with commercial traffic will be maintained.

A further pullback of services for your average joe as the world continues down the path to a low tax nirvana where everyone is on their own for everything.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Draft will limit ICW use as much as vertical clearance. I would guess that dredging operations will cease in a lot of the ICW. Only sections with commercial traffic will be maintained.

TIL US Federal spending going from $3.5 Trillion a year to $7 trillion a year equals "low tax nirvana".

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

TIL US Federal spending going from $3.5 Trillion a year to $7 trillion a year equals "low tax nirvana".

High tax, low service.