GL: Looking for Defever 49

[fred]

Michael Wilkie,

Bridge E93 ... sometimes it's the lowest bridge, and
sometimes it ain't.  It depends on how much water is in the canal that day ..
and where.  Water levels vary, depending on local rainfall, and also depending
on whether certain dams were set to release water or accumulate water.  Also,
each locking sends a zillion gallons of water to the pool below the lock.
Also, do NOT rely on lock operators for the definitive word on bridge
clearances.  They are not boatmen, and just do not know for sure.  Yes you can
get an approximate measurement from them, but do not rely on it.

And
remember your boat gets taller as you burn off fuel, sometimes 3-4 inches or
more.

Approach all bridges slowly and take your own clearance sighting
before you pass.  

The Canal Corp is not going to pay for your damages when
you tear your radar off, even if the lock operator said you have enough
clearance.  They will be extremely understanding and sympathetic and very very
helpful, but that check is just not ever going to come.

Same thing goes for
channel depth.  The lock operators generally know where the shoals are but
only your depth sensor knows exactly how deep.

By the way, bridge E93 is
not on the usual loop route at all.  Most loopers exit the Erie Canal half way
across and head north on the Oswego Canal and then cross lake Ontario.  That
route offers about 22 feet air draft.

One interesting solution i saw
recently was an antenna bolted to the front rail, extending a few inches
higher than the boat.  It would give the skipper an excellent warning of
impending doom.

Lastly, beware navigation lights hanging from bridges.
Some of them have chains hanging from them, and all such lights are below the
official clearance.  Don't pass directly under them.

Best wishes,

Fred
Tug 44

----------------------------------------
From: "Michael Wilkie"
<rmw at century21davisrealty.com>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 6:21 PM
To:
"jonathan olenick" <jdolenickmd at yahoo.com>, "great loop list"
<great-loop at lists.samurai.com>
Subject: Re: GL: Looking for Defever 49
Does anyone know if Bridge E-93 is the lowest vertical clearance on the
loop?

Michael Wilkie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jonathan
olenick" 
To: "great loop list" 
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: GL: Looking for Defever 49

> Bridge E-93 on the Erie canal,
just up-stream of lock 26, about 3 miles
> down-stream of Clyde has a charted
clearence of 16 feet, skipper Bob has
> measured it at l5' 10", a boat with
l5 foot air draft is cutting it pretty
> close; be sure to have you fuel
water and holding tanks full. and check 
> with
> the lock master as to the
exact clearence on your arrival. Jon on 
> Valentine.
> ----- Original
Message ----
> From: A H FOSTER 
> To:
> great-loop at lists.samurai.com
>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 10:49:31 AM
> Subject: Re: GL: Looking for
Defever 49
>
> Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:52:22 -0400
> From: "Ron Rogers"
> Subject: Re: GL: Looking for
> Defever 49
>
> Ben,
>
> Do your parents
know if the Defever 49 RPH has enough
> vertical clearance for
> the loop or
are they thinking of the other 49? I refer
> to vertical clearance
> as air
draft.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Builder/Designer
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Builder:
>
Defever
> Designer: Defever
>
>
> Dimensions
>
>
>
>
>
>
> LOA:
49'9"
> LWL: 42'
> Beam: 15'
> Displacement: 50,000
> Draft: 4'6"
>
Bridge Clearance: 15'
>
> Looks like it does.
> That clearance is with the
mast folded down I believe.
>
>
>
>
> Capt. Bill
>
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7:35 AM
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