Boat Airdrafts

[jeffbroadslover]

Does anyone know if there is a list of boats airdrafts available.

Have got Silver Reflection booked for next year and cannot find any information regarding the airdraft

Thanks in advance

Jeff

[dom]

There are no lists that I'm aware of. I think the Alphacraft 42cc is usually quoted around 6'8"

@NeilB can probably give a more definitive answer.

[RS2021]

Interestingly, Richardsons no longer give any boat dimensions. Length and beam not quoted.

[annv]

Hi Jeff if when you approach a bridge look along the highest part of the boat and line it up to the bridge IF you can see the far under side of the bridge you can proceeds IF you only see the near underside DON'T proced. Boat height and bridge height boards are not true they all era on the side of safty. John

[jeffbroadslover]

Thanks.      I am hoping that with appropriate tides we may be able to get up to Coltishall

Jeff

[Meantime]

If heading to Coltishall don't forget you will need to use the bridge pilot. They will know the height needed for the boat you are booking. 

[Graham47]

There’s not many boats getting through Wroxham Bridge recently. Typically the bridge clearance  most days is  between 6’3” - 6’ 6”.

 

[Broads01]

1 hour ago, dom said:

There are no lists that I'm aware of. I think the Alphacraft 42cc is usually quoted around 6'8"

That may be slightly optimistic. I've hired a 35 a couple of times and it was 6'10''-6'11".

Richardsons used to publish a list of bridge heights in the boat manual but it wasn't much use because the Wroxham pilot will tend to take you through at what they know they need regardless of the "official" air draft.

[dom]

10 minutes ago, Broads01 said:

That may be slightly optimistic. I've hired a 35 a couple of times and it was 6'10''-6'11".

I suspect there's probably a fair bit of variation, depending on who fitted them out and with what equipment.

Summercraft fitted out a couple of 35s, which seem to sit lower in the water than some others. I suspect it's down to the fact they built them properly with better floor bearers, bulkheads, etc. The one down at Beccles which no-one seems to want to buy seems the opposite - pretty flimsily thrown together and seems to sit very high on the water.

[Meantime]

I've squeezed my 35ft through at 6ft 4.5in, but I'm far more comfortable with 6ft 6in, however like I said, its the pilots who will decide what you need for the boat you've hired.

[annv]

Hi the difference between Having full tanks and nearly empty is 3" in my air draft. John

[LizG]

I have a recollection that the bridge pilots at Potter have a list? Not that any can get under now!

[BrundallNavy]

4 hours ago, jeffbroadslover said:

Thanks.      I am hoping that with appropriate tides we may be able to get up to Coltishall

Jeff

I’m 6-7” and have not been able to get under this year so far. 

[Captain]

Hi, 

Just did a Google and came up with 2 examples sold at NYA, one is 6ft 8 the other 7ft 3. I suspect 6ft 8 is probably close to the true airdraft and 7ft 3 likely what a boatyard will quote with a safety margin. Good luck in getting under although as has been mentioned the tides have been high most of the season. Just come back from a week on the South and it was over the top at Cantley and Dutch tea gardens later in the week 

Neil 

[twowrights]

59 minutes ago, BrundallNavy said:

I’m 6-7” and have not been able to get under this year so far. 

Bend at the waist. 

[NeilB]

I have a Alpha 42 and she will just squeeze through Wroxham at 6ft 6".  However, as mentioned some may be heavier and lower than others and I suspect with bow thruster, anchor winch, chain and a battery all in the bow mine is a heavy one.  Both holding tanks appear to be quite large with 100 gallon water and 60 gallon fuel.  Plus me!!

The yards will add at least a couple of inches to the actual height, maybe more.  Your best option is to call the bridge pilot and ask them.

I've only been under once this year and barely made it back by the skin of my gelcoat!!  It's been pretty high all year.

[SwanR]

I would just contact the yard and ask them, then go by that. 

[grendel]

16 hours ago, LizG said:

I have a recollection that the bridge pilots at Potter have a list? Not that any can get under now!

they have a big ledger, I have seen it when they kindly looked up Water Rails requirement for me (6'3")

[Broads01]

11 hours ago, grendel said:

they have a big ledger, I have seen it when they kindly looked up Water Rails requirement for me (6'3")

Actually that's probably equally as good as asking the Wroxham Bridge pilot. They'll give you the pilot's answer. You have to be a pilot to take it through Wroxham or Potter of course but if it's Wroxham you're interested in then that's good. 

[grendel]

except I know from measuring that I can do Wroxham bridge at 5'11" Water Rails roof shape is the reason she needs a greater airdraft at Potter heigham.

[LizG]

On 26/08/2024 at 11:07, grendel said:

they have a big ledger, I have seen it when they kindly looked up Water Rails requirement for me (6'3")

It's listed at 6' 3" because that's what I told them based on what my father told me or I just remember he was happy to go when it read that. I suspect it could go under less but not that much unless you took the canopy lid off!!!

[BrundallNavy]

1 hour ago, LizG said:

It's listed at 6' 3" because that's what I told them based on what my father told me or I just remember he was happy to go when it read that. I suspect it could go under less but not that much unless you took the canopy lid off!!!

If you tried at 6ft you could kill two birds with one stone so to speak.