Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave22q
Assuming mast under 55' including rigid wind meters etc and draw of 5' or less you are essentially unlimited in your choices. |
Mine is 55 ft and I had to have it pulled to go down the river to FT. Myers. ( my
boat does not Lean like you might think, 5000 lbs on the rail and a 30 ft
fishing boat hanging off the boom had it leaning 2 feet, plus that is a really dangerous combination on a river going under several bridges ) you might want to check it out with other boat owners who have the same boat as yours as to how well that would
work. Then practice it a bunch before you try it in moving
water like a river.
One
marine VHF radio is absolutely not enough for the crossing ( hand held's are getting pretty
cheap ), you can't expect the bridge or lock operators to read your mind if you only have one and it goes belly up.
( you can by the way "Call" the bridge and lock operators on the
phone, if you have all their numbers )
Oh, when going down river be sure you let the lock fill up before you go rushing in. The lock operator would like you to be prompt but the
water is faster than the river going into the lock and you better be good at holding your boat in place if you go in to soon. They are great people and love to chat while your in the lock if there is not too much traffic.
Also if you have an
emergency cell coverage is pretty good but not perfect.
Do not expect to "sail" up or down the rivers, BTW you cannot SAIL under a bridge or into a lock, so the advise to plan your
fuel going against the river
current is very good.
Do check out the CG shoal warnings before you go. Yes the channel markers are a good guide, but things change, a
depth gauge is always a good idea but shoals can sneak up pretty quick and they all move if there has been a recent storm.
Make sure you anchors are up to the job if you plan on
anchoring on the river. ( get the
anchor drag app ) ( the
power plant lights are very nice at night )
It is by the way a beautiful trip.
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