Mainship390 clearance height

[psupik]

Newbie loop boat search here. Found some height specs on 2000+MS390:
19'2" antenna and radar mast, 16'4" over bimini, 14'6" bimini down. Two questions; are these accurate, and can someone confirm will this get me through Erie Canal?
Paul

 

[kthoennes]

I don't have an answer for you, but good that you're skeptical about the specs and want to confirm. I don't know how they measured at the factory but when we shipped our boat overland it was significantly over the official (manufacturer's) specs.

 

[Shrew]

The lowest bridges along the Erie have 20 ft of vertical clearance. Water levels can vary by time of year, amount of runoff, rain, etc.

 

[meridian]

15' on Erie Canal. I just came through

 

[psupik]

Thanks so much for the replies. 15 and 20 feet are big differences, sounds like differences between actual and published bridge clearances? Also water table heights? I'm hoping the Mainship 390's 14'6" min. clearance with antenna, mast and bimini down are low enough. Ideally I would like to stay along "US" Loop route and avoid the Welland Canal.
Paul

 

[meridian]

http://www.offshoreblue.com/cruising/erie-canal-bridges.php

 

[psupik]

Great info, perfect stuff. Thanks so much. Again a newbie here, I have read around about seasonal pool levels, is there a traditional time of year for full pools along the Erie canal? Ideas of planning the "Spring Up ICW and Summer Across Great Lakes" Loop schedule.

 

[FloridaVic]

Recently acquired a 2002 Mainship 390. Just measured air draft. Appears to be 16' with mast head light down, 17' with mast head light up. Radar dome is a couple of inches less than light. I too have seen published specs of 18'8", in fact previous owner had that printed at the FB helm. But I measured two different ways with same result. I could be off a couple of inches but not 2'8".

 

[psupik]

MS 390 clearance

Thanks FloridaVic, makes me feel a bit better about taking one (MS 390) through Erie Canal. Sounds like if mast can be lowered, clearance shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Shrew]

I'm not sure how easy it would be to lower the mast. It's caulked and bolted in place with a fixed mounting flange.

 

[FoxtrotCharlie]

Erie ht limit is 19' from Waterford/Albany to Oswego Canal, and 15' from there to Buffalo.