[Rhodes22-list] Bridge Clearance

[William P. Barry, III]

Well that story brought a laugh to my night! If all else fails always make
it look planned!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Geankoplis" <napoli68 at charter.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 11:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bridge Clearance


> Dave,
>         There is the 3rd option.........It is called the Paradise Island
> Option.
>
> So called because I was delivery captain on a 41 foot Hylas from U.S.V.I.
to
> Ft. Lauderdale.  Part of the compensation package for myself and crew (my
> brother, and my 16 year old son the 1 token adult on board) was that we
> could take a month to deliver it.  So we visited every island and house of
> libation between start and destination.  One sunny day, we wanted to go to
> the south harbor in Nassau.  This entails passing under a bridge that
> connects the main island of New Providence with the resort center of
> Paradise island.. The bridge had something like 58 foot clearance at high
> water.  I "knew" the boat had a standard rig a few feet shorter so that we
> would pass under the bridge.  D'oh!
>
> Once committed and with a strong following current in a narrow channel we
> approached the bridge.  We were concerned when the people on the yachts
tied
> along the channel came out and began pointing and setting up folding
chairs.
> The next indicator was that the people on the bridge began walking, then
> running off the bridge.  At about this time my son comes up with some
paper
> work that states that this boat had the desirable option of the "Tall
Rig"!
> Double D'oh!
>
> Panic on their faces, the crew looked to their captain for guidance.  "Ok
> guys" (or was it Argh maties?).  "We are either going to make it or we are
> not, since we can't reverse in this strong current.  Now the mast will
fall
> to starboard (probably) if we hit.  So sit to port and most importantly
look
> relaxed and lean back and enjoy the show.  If we make it through I want
> those vultures to think we knew exactly what we were doing."
>
> We knew we were in real trouble when 20 feet from the bridge all the
pigeons
> began to fly frantically out from under the bridge.  To the syncopated
sound
> of the VHF antenna slapping the girders of the underside of the bridge,
and
> a confetti shower of old guano, we passed through with a great deal of
> class, chuztpa and a very high pucker factor.
>
> So in short Dave, when you go under the bridge at least look like you know
> what you are doing!
>
> Chris G
> Medfore, OR
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David Bradley" <dwbrad at gmail.com>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 6:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bridge Clearance
>
>
> > Thanks, all.  It's on the lake side of the locks, so no tidal change.  I
> do
> > have a VHF so will either need to (a) try Chris' idea of heeling, (b)
wait
> > for them to raise the bridge, or (c) see just how flexible a 2' VHF
> antenna
> > is.
> >
> > Wish Elton and I well on our Lake Washington adventure on Saturday.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > On 8/16/06, Chris Geankoplis <napoli68 at charter.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > Gee Dave,
> > >                You might have to watch the tide if the water is tidal
> and
> > > if you have enough rail meat you can take a couple feet off by
heeling.
> > >
> > > Good luch!
> > >
> > > Chris G
> > > Medford OR
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "David Bradley" <dwbrad at gmail.com>
> > > To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 11:10 PM
> > > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Bridge Clearance
> > >
> > >
> > > > Does anyone know offhand the height from the waterline to the top of
> the
> > > > mast?  I see on the GBI site that the avg. freeboard is 3' and the
> mast
> > > is
> > > > 26'.  No more than another foot I'd guess from gunwale to top of
> cabin?
> > > >
> > > > It looks like I'll have a 30' drawbridge to squeek under on the Ship
> > > Canal
> > > > near my new temporary mooring in Seattle.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Dave B.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > David Bradley
> > > > +1.206.225.7793
> > > > dwbrad at gmail.com
> > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > -- 
> > David Bradley
> > +1.206.225.7793
> > dwbrad at gmail.com
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list