john-o
Veteran Member
The forum and organization that supports the Great Loop does a nice job of breaking down points of interests and data. Specifically, specifications for bridge clearances.. in general.... particulars along the way. The same holds true for draft depth.
As I searched other sites, one caught my eye with.. Good Boats for the Great loop.
As I read the author's choices, one stuck out as a real beauty. The Hampton 590. Amazing craft to travel the Loop in style.
But hold on. The bridge clearance for that craft is 18'7" and the draft is 5'2".
Now here's the confusing part for me.
The Erie Canal is PART OF the Great Loop. Right?
- On the Looper's web page by Capt. Chris, "the maximum overhead clearance that limits the height of your boat above the water is 19’ 6”, and that's an entire Loop MUST. A boat can get around this clearance thing by avoiding the Chicago Canal.
Yet, he goes on the stat that the Erie Canal lowest clearance for the going the Westward part is 15 feet 6 inches. Also, he states that There are two 15’ 6” fixed bridges on the Erie Canal just beyond the Three-Rivers Junction to the Oswego Canal. The Oswego Canal has a 21’ vertical clearance and this is your route to Lake Ontario and on to Canada.
So, no matter where your boat goes on the Erie, 15'6" clearance is a must.
This is the part that throws me.
Now I realize this information is useful, and there's no debating it.
However, I'm glad I'm not a boat owner planning a trip on the Great Loop and just flipping through the pages of.. " The Best Boats for the Great Loop," and the article ends like that.
Also, Capt. Chris has some real nifty suggestions and ideas for cruising. So I guess the guy knows what he's talking about.
With respect to boat drafts, 4 feet or less is very desirable, although 5 foot draft can be good to go, but worrisome. Cruising with different routes with 5 foot plus drafts can be made, but with some stipulations.
All in all, I found that doing one's homework, with as many sources as possible before casting off, is the way to go. Good sources like this forum.
As I searched other sites, one caught my eye with.. Good Boats for the Great loop.
As I read the author's choices, one stuck out as a real beauty. The Hampton 590. Amazing craft to travel the Loop in style.
But hold on. The bridge clearance for that craft is 18'7" and the draft is 5'2".
Now here's the confusing part for me.
The Erie Canal is PART OF the Great Loop. Right?
- On the Looper's web page by Capt. Chris, "the maximum overhead clearance that limits the height of your boat above the water is 19’ 6”, and that's an entire Loop MUST. A boat can get around this clearance thing by avoiding the Chicago Canal.
Yet, he goes on the stat that the Erie Canal lowest clearance for the going the Westward part is 15 feet 6 inches. Also, he states that There are two 15’ 6” fixed bridges on the Erie Canal just beyond the Three-Rivers Junction to the Oswego Canal. The Oswego Canal has a 21’ vertical clearance and this is your route to Lake Ontario and on to Canada.
So, no matter where your boat goes on the Erie, 15'6" clearance is a must.
This is the part that throws me.
Now I realize this information is useful, and there's no debating it.
However, I'm glad I'm not a boat owner planning a trip on the Great Loop and just flipping through the pages of.. " The Best Boats for the Great Loop," and the article ends like that.
Also, Capt. Chris has some real nifty suggestions and ideas for cruising. So I guess the guy knows what he's talking about.
With respect to boat drafts, 4 feet or less is very desirable, although 5 foot draft can be good to go, but worrisome. Cruising with different routes with 5 foot plus drafts can be made, but with some stipulations.
All in all, I found that doing one's homework, with as many sources as possible before casting off, is the way to go. Good sources like this forum.