How do u hail a drawbridge?

Planning a trip along the ICW down the gulf coast of south fl with my Getaway. How do I ask for passage thru a drawbridge? Particularly the drawbridge near Boca Grande/ Gasparilla . I have a VHF radio. If the wind is right could I do it under sail?

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

I wouldn't recommend trying to sail through. Using a small outboard is probably your best bet. Too many variables going against you to not motor (currents, winds, time the bridge will stay open, etc.). You should be able to hail the bridges on 16, but there might be a predetermined channel for ICW bridges. If you call them on 16 they'll just ask you to switch, no big deal.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

The Intercoastal Waterway is a ditch through shallow water. Venice and southward will be hard. Been through there on stinkboats and sailed from the Tom Adams bridge at Englewood to Stump Pass. Not fun.

Trailer it south.

Channel 16 is no longer a preferred "hailing" channel. It's reserved for emergencies. Don't clutter it up.

Channel 9 is the working channel for ICW bridges.

BTW, Google is your friend.

For sailing vessels, channel 13 is considered "bridge to bridge" and is monitored by bridge operators, but as Matt said, channel 9 is the typical "hailing" channel and is likely monitored a well. Never, ever sail through a draw bridge.

Thanks all. Good info. I will motor thru.

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

Florida ICW Bridge Schedule and Regulations
http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Florid ... e_Schedule

Florida ICW Bridge Schedule and Regulations
http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Florid ... e_Schedule

My brother bought a 24' sailboat with a 6 hp outboard in St. Pete and we motored it to Punta Gorda. We left about 11 am and parked off Sarasota about 10 PM. Next morning left at daybreak and would have gotten to Cayo Costa about 4 PM.

It is a long way.

Thanks for the link CHUPACERVEZA. JKKARTZ,The distance from Placida to Cayo Costa coast near the campsites is 13 miles. We are sailing a Hobie Getaway so I'm betting on a 2 to 3 hr one way trip. Even quicker with fair wind I hope.

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

Where are you launching in Placida?

Lanching from the public boat dock near Eldred's marina.

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

To get from there to Gasparilla Sound and Charlotte Harbor you have to pass through the swing bridge. Check a tide chart, a lot of water moves through there. Parking is by the hour, you may get a better deal at Eldred's.

I learned to sail there in 1973. At that time I had hair down to my shoulders. The instructor said, "You look like you should sail one of those Hobie Cats". That started the fun.

We launched the fishing boat there one morning. a couple of deputies had just put the sheriff boat on the trailer and I heard one say to the other, "Toss me that rope".

I said, " That is a line".

I got a real dirty look.