Petaluma or Bust
As any sailor knows, approaching a bridge with a relatively low — but doable — clearance can really get your blood pumping. Even if the chart indicates you’ll have 20 feet of clear air between the top of your mast and the bridge, from deck level it always looks like you’re headed straight for a dismasting. So imagine the cojones it takes to plan a trip under a bridge with 70 feet of clearance (at mean high water) when your mast sticks up 71 feet! That’s just what Laurie Chaikin and her crew did last month when they took a trip to Petaluma on her Leopard 45 Charleette II.
"After careful study of tides and discussions with other boats and the harbormaster, we decided to attempt the trip," explains Laurie. "My first mate, Ron Taillon, and I measured from the tip of the mast (including the light and windmeter) to water level: 71 feet. We filled the water tanks — 256 gallons gave us three extra inches — invited a few heavy guests, and motorsailed to the mouth of the river, arriving at low tide.
"Once we neared the bridge, we ‘put on the brakes’ and literally inched forward. The crew posted astern watched with binoculars to make sure we didn’t hit. Everyone had already been informed that we’d abort and head elsewhere if it didn’t seem safe, but we made it under with five feet to spare. Afterward, I required some medicinal alcohol!"
But the crew of Charleette couldn’t relax quite yet. They still had two more 70-ft obstacles to navigate: an overhead cable and another bridge. And all of this was being done at low tide, so the possibility of running aground was very real. "With a 4.5-ft draft, though, I wasn’t so concerned," said Laurie. As it turned out, Charleette navigated the obstacle course perfectly, and her crew were able to finally breathe again once tied up in the turning basin.
"Overall, it was a worthwhile, successful adventure full of learning — boating skills, problem solving, maneuvering — as well as going to new places close to home," reflects Laurie. "Would I do it again? Yes, but not until my heart rate slows back down, which could take a few months!"