Air draft for 43MY

[orthomartin]

Could someone tell me the air draft for an 1985 43MY, including typical radar on arch?

[Dan Mapes]

I did a few measurements on ours and came up with about 17.5 feet. Of course your mileage may vary so have it checked. We normally sneak under bridges with a 19 foot clearance but all of the antennas get knocked down.
I measured by checking from the arch down to the deck by the wing doors, and then standing on the dock from there down to the water and adding them up.

[orthomartin]

Thanks a lot. We are planning to head out of Lk Michigan next fall down the Ten-Tom. Was hoping to get under the bridge in Chicago at about 17' The boat is new to us and still in storage until spring and I don't have access to it right now.

[Dan Mapes]

Thanks a lot. We are planning to head out of Lk Michigan next fall down the Ten-Tom. Was hoping to get under the bridge in Chicago at about 17' The boat is new to us and still in storage until spring and I don't have access to it right now.

I'd make some VERY careful measurements before I tried that. I looked around a bit and it seems there is an alternate route. I am thinking you will take that route (Cal Sag Channel?) to be safe.

[captainwjm]

Thanks a lot. We are planning to head out of Lk Michigan next fall down the Ten-Tom. Was hoping to get under the bridge in Chicago at about 17' The boat is new to us and still in storage until spring and I don't have access to it right now.

The BNSF bridge south of Chicago is around 19', not 17'. I think the 17' figure refers to the low point on the Erie Canal.

[Dan Mapes]

http://www.greatloop.org/frequently-asked-questions-cms-84#Answer1

"From Lake Michigan the Chicago River flows through downtown Chicago and becomes the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The lowest bridge through this route is 17 feet at mile 320.4, an inoperable bascule railroad bridge. The other route, the Cal Sag Channel, has a bridge height restriction of 20-something feet. Either way you must be able to clear the 19.1 feet fixed bridge mentioned above which is down river of both channels"

[SKYCHENEY]

Just fill the bilges with enough water and you'll fit.

[Freeebird]

The BNSF bridge south of Chicago is around 19', not 17'. I think the 17' figure refers to the low point on the Erie Canal.19' is the magic number, but you have to keep in mind there will be some fluctuations in water level that will increase/decrease that amount. I can't see any problems with a 43MY as I would think it has a lower air draft than a 43DC. I know of several of those who have made the loop. If there's a way around that fixed bridge, it's news to me.

[Freeebird]

Here's where the confusion on 17' comes in...

1. Where is the lowest bridge that must be cleared with no alternate route around it?

The lowest bridge that cannot be avoided on the Great Loop/Great Circle Route is 19.7 feet at mile 300.6 on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal after the Chicago River/Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Calumet Sag Channel join south-west of Chicago. This is the AT&S Railroad Bridge which is shown on the charts as a swing bridge. It is inoperable and no longer opens. THERE IS NO WATER ROUTE AROUND THIS FIXED BRIDGE FOR GREAT LOOP CRUISERS.

From Lake Michigan the Chicago River flows through downtown Chicago and becomes the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The lowest bridge through this route is 17 feet at mile 320.4, an inoperable bascule railroad bridge. The other route, the Cal Sag Channel, has a bridge height restriction of 20-something feet. Either way you must be able to clear the 19.1 feet fixed bridge mentioned above which is down river of both channels

[orthomartin]

Thanks all but I am fully aware of the bridge heights for the route, I was only looking for air draft of the 43MY with the typical open array radar. I believe it is close to 17 to 17.5 feet. If that is the case and the water is not at high datum the Chicago route may be possible, otherwise we will go the 11 miles south for the alternate

[Freeebird]

There is no alternate, but you should be fine. Worst case scenario you remove your radar.

[captainwjm]

He meant alternate to going through downtown.

[Freeebird]

Then I guess we've both been confused about that 17' reference. :D

[orthomartin]

OK, again I don't care about the bridge heights or alternate routes, I am fully versed in that subject. Only looking for air draft of the 43MY
I did get a chance to get into the indoor storage (thankfully it's heated) and measure. With radar air draft for the 43MY (1985) is between 5.31 and 5.36 meters depending on waterline (salt vs fresh) and typical variance in radar mounts. Downtown Chicago bridge at high water datum is 5.18meters so I will be either taking down the radar or (and most likely) heading 11 miles south:)

[fissioneng]

I measured mine a few years ago. To the top of the lightning rod/anchor light, it is 19.5 feet. To the top of the radar it is 18 feet. I'd like to do the loop too, I figured I'd make the lightning rod/anchor light removeable.

Do you have the lightning rod/anchor light?

[magnawake]

I think mine is 19.5' too. We are anchored out at Cape Look Out Bight.