That was NOT to way to untangle that sailboat from the bridge. The tow rope should have been tied onto the mast just below the cross piece. That would have heeled the boat over and freed the mast. They had two lines on the boat...one at the bow and the other jerk that was pulling had a line tied to the stern. No matter how hard you try...you just can't fix stupid.
Naa, Stupid was getting there. Look like the mast top was already pretty fouled. Rip that sucker out of there...
Glad someone else said it first ... it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that they were putting the mast in compression and every inch more they pulled the hull it put way more force on the mast ... was there some reason it was impossible to pull it out the other way and drag the mast top under the bridge? It would have done some damage but but the boat would have heeled and done nothing near to what they managed to do.
If seen grounded sailboats undo a side stay, attach it to their dinghy with a line, then use the dinghy to tip and pull the boat free. Seems that could have worked here also?
Some years ago there was a fantastic video on this site of a large sailboat motoring beneath a low bridge by running large water ballast balloons off the mast. It was quite a balancing act to keep the prop in the water and the boat heeled far enough over to pass beneath the bridge. I don't believe it was a Boat US operator....
I remember the post you're referring to, but can't it here on YF. In the meantime, there's this one on Youtube, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epz6BBZm__0 Ah, here's the original thread: http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/g...at-balls-how-get-80-mast-under-65-bridge.html
Thanks Ward, That is hands down no BS....the ****edest thing I've ever seen! When I had my 42 Morgan Out Island we couldn't go out of the Haulover inlet in N. Miami...which had a 52 ft. Clearance, we had to motor all the way down to the Port of Miami where the Cruise ships docked to get out. Anyway, thanks for looking that up...that's a new on on me!
That video was here on YF a while ago, it has just surfaced on Facebook and re surfaced here too, amazing