The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

So this boat is listed by the owner. Here is his comment about the hull and the hours:
...blue rap on hull. bottom was sand plasted, barrier coated and all thought hulls replaced. zero moisture in hull. boat is turn key with alot of extras. 1000 hour service in 2022

I agree, lots of nice upgrades on the boat. It is a state registered vessel so I can't get the HIN# to look it up unless the owner is willing to share it.
 
Okay boys, here is the question. We have 20' bridge here that a friend wants us to go under so we can raft up.

I have always kept 21 5/8" in my mind. So, I got out the dimensions again (below for reference) and have some questions/thoughts.

1. Is anyone's mast light actually nearly 5' high? Mine is not.

2. Has anyone calculated the difference from prop draft to keel draft so you can have an accurate air draft?

3. My props are 24" diameter, and an estimate is that they extend below boat by about 21". Does anyone else have a better number?

4. Taking into account 21" of prop hanging below the keel, that would leave 20" of draft to the keel and assuming the mast light is as stated in the manual, that would put us at 19' 4 and 5/8" as an air draft.

Obviously, doesn't give me much, but doable on flat water at low tide (yes, make sure the tide doesn't come back in while behind the bridge.

Any thoughts?

Kevin


Screenshot_20230914_170259_Drive.jpg
 
Okay boys, here is the question. We have 20' bridge here that a friend wants us to go under so we can raft up.

I have always kept 21 5/8" in my mind. So, I got out the dimensions again (below for reference) and have some questions/thoughts.

1. Is anyone's mast light actually nearly 5' high? Mine is not.

2. Has anyone calculated the difference from prop draft to keel draft so you can have an accurate air draft?

3. My props are 24" diameter, and an estimate is that they extend below boat by about 21". Does anyone else have a better number?

4. Taking into account 21" of prop hanging below the keel, that would leave 20" of draft to the keel and assuming the mast light is as stated in the manual, that would put us at 19' 4 and 5/8" as an air draft.

Obviously, doesn't give me much, but doable on flat water at low tide (yes, make sure the tide doesn't come back in while behind the bridge.

Any thoughts?

Kevin


View attachment 151249
Prev. owner had said 19.5' for my boat. I routinely and easily pass under bridge markers displaying 20' or more. Bridge operators have also indicated 2' of safety margin on their rulers mounted at the bridge entrance. I'll pass under the middle, usually the most clearance. When I peer up at
my antennaes as I pass, there is always plenty of room. I don't bother to lower them and they extend couple feet above the lighted mast which is about a foot higher than my radar. Below 20' on the bridge ruler, I would have the drawbridge open for me. But, pretty sure I would pass even seeing 18.5 on the bridge height ruler.
 
Prev. owner had said 19.5' for my boat. I routinely and easily pass under bridge markers displaying 20' or more. Bridge operators have also indicated 2' of safety margin on their rulers mounted at the bridge entrance. I'll pass under the middle, usually the most clearance. When I peer up at
my antennaes as I pass, there is always plenty of room. I don't bother to lower them and they extend couple feet above the lighted mast which is about a foot higher than my radar. Below 20' on the bridge ruler, I would have the drawbridge open for me. But, pretty sure I would pass even seeing 18.5 on the bridge height ruler.

Thanks @Jack O'Brien. That is good info. 19.5' makes sense. This particular bridge doesn't have a ruler, so going by the chart info of 20' in the middle.

I know @Shoyrtt has a collapsible mast light, mine does not. If I had one of those would be an easy day
 
Thanks @Jack O'Brien. That is good info. 19.5' makes sense. This particular bridge doesn't have a ruler, so going by the chart info of 20' in the middle.

I know @Shoyrtt has a collapsible mast light, mine does not. If I had one of those would be an easy day
I would call the bridge tender if it's a drawbridge. Sometimes they divulge the safety margin above the posted height. They're reluctant but I squeezed it out on the ICW early on and found that all the bridges have a margin of safety. If a fixed bridge, check more than a single source for the listed height. Such as, Navionics, Waterway Guide and perhaps some other internet source. I found inconsistencies for some ICW bridges.
 
I would call the bridge tender if it's a drawbridge. Sometimes they divulge the safety margin above the posted height. They're reluctant but I squeezed it out on the ICW early on and found that all the bridges have a margin of safety. If a fixed bridge, check more than a single source for the listed height. Such as, Navionics, Waterway Guide and perhaps some other internet source. I found inconsistencies for some ICW bridges.

It is fixed. Good idea on checking water way gudie. Thanks!

Kevin
 
Just arrived, Captiva Islañd Yacht Club for songwriters festival next door at Tween Waters Resort. Stunning day.
IMG_20230922_142239~2.jpg
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Tides up! Lowtide is level with steps off the gunnel here on Captiva.
IMG_20230924_081949~2.jpg
 
Look at that clean hull!!! I'm passing thru Destin in Nov headed to Ft. Meyers for the Okeechobee crossing en route to Bahamas. Hope to see you again! Will overnight in Destin then to Carrabelle for the jump based on weather. Hoping to catch Jack at points South for a beer as well!
 
Anyone have a shore power cord cover they like? I'm regularly connecting/disconnecting from the dock and cord black streaks unavoidably mar up gelcoat in & around the aft storage hatch. You may ask, have I cleaned my cord? Lol, nope, too lazy, so it remains a mess. Marineco has one but sleuthing reviews reveal doesn't last. Here's one tho, might be the ticket but $$. Thoughts?
https://www.allamericanpowercordcover.com/
 

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