Ft. Pierce to Melbourne via the ICW

This was the first passage we would go under fixed bridges in ICW.  We were a bit nervous since the bridges have a 65-foot clearance, and our mast, we think, is 62.9 plus an antenna and expensive wind gage. We should be just fine.

The first bridge was a double bascule bridge, just like the one in Charlevoix! The next was a fixed bridge. They usually have a sign board telling you the height of the bridge from the waterline. We didn’t see one for this bridge. We made it without touching!

After that it was easy-going. Someone had to be on the helm the whole time to adjust a few degrees to the right or left to make sure we stayed in the channel that was 13 to 15 feet deep. The houses along the way were very very nice! The pelicans seem to like them too.

THE WABASSO BRIDGE.  Mary was driving.  It was her first ICW bridge.  The signboard said 62.9 feet.  That’s supposed to be the height of our mast plus the anchor light with 3 inches to spare.  This was the time to GO SLOW!  We touched.  The antenna slowly tinged long the bottom of the bridge deck.  Maybe half a foot of clearance to the wind instrument.  WHEW!