36 Cutter mast height

[brian chalk]

36 Cutter/367 owners,

We are planning to take our boat through the Okeechobee Waterway, which cuts across Florida from Ft. Myers to Stuart, in a couple months. There is a bridge on the waterway with 49' clearance. It is in a part of the waterway that is not subject to tides. I have tried measuring my mast height using halyards and tape measures and such and guesstimating the distance from the sheave in the masthead to the top, etc. Long story short I feel like the 47' 4" spec clearance is probably right on in my case. Our mast is original and has never been "trimmed" at the step as some have done due to corrosion.

Allowing a foot for my perko anchor light and red plastic windex, and with loaded tanks, I think we can do it. We do not have a wind instrument transducer up there, either.

Have any of you ever carefully measured your mast height/clearance? Would appreciate your thoughts or this.

Thank you!

Brian Chalk
Fort Lauderdale
1981 Pearson 36 Cutter #11
Inamorata

[Shacklepin]

47ft (14.326m) according to what i have documented.

[P69]

Here are my measurements

Hull#42, 1982 367

1. my mast is a hood StowAway in-mast roller furling, installed by Pearson (I guess it was an option). Don't know if the heights are different from normal masts.
2. the bottom of the boot stripe is 3" above the water when I took these measurements.Boat was also empty when measurements were taken (little fuel, no water, no gear)
3. Boot stripe is paint, not original gelcoat; therefore, I am not sure if it was raised
4. Measurements above deck: measured with tape (yes, I climbed the mast to measure it). I love being high!
5. waterline to deck: measured with transit level during flat water

waterline to top of antenna: 49' 2"
Waterline to top of windex: 47'6"
Waterline to top of mast: 46' 6"

--------
Waterline to top of coach roof: 4' 8"
Deck to masthead: 41' 10"
top of mast to top of antenna: 2' 8"
Windex: 12" above masthead

[brian chalk]

Thanks to the three of you for responding. Your information is most helpful. I am optimistic that we will make it under the bridge without the need for outside help in heeling. I may also try raising the dinghy on a halyard on one side of the boat in order to "heel thyself" a bit.

I'll let everyone know whether we make it unscathed, or whether I am in the market for a new anchor light, windex, and vhf antenna. 

Brian

[brian chalk]

We transited the Okeechobee Waterway last week, including the infamous 49' Port Mayaca RR bridge. Made it under the bridge without touching anything including the VHF antenna. On the day we did the bridge, the Corp of Engineers was showing about 49.5' of clearance so we got a little help there from lower water levels. I appreciate those who boosted my confidence by providing their own measurements.