Plastic Classic Forum

Looking through the Boat section of CL I came across an ad for a 60 some odd foot aluminum ketch complete with specifications one of which was listed as: Air Draft 47 feet.

I take it that is the hight of the mast and rig? or am I wrong?

That is right. Air draft is what you need to know for bridge clearance.

Hi, thanks for the confirmation Danielguiod, that's the first time I've ever come across such terminology and I'm no spring chicken. ... Bob T.

Ps. The air draft on that ketch was 74 feet, not 47 as first posted.

I've always refered to that a "Mast height above DWL" or maybe "bridge clearance". However, I sail near the Cape Cod Canal and it seems that "Air Draft" is the latest terminology for how high the top of the mast is off the water, used ofte nby the traffic controllers as well as various captains.
It probably makes more sense anyway, since Air Draft would be more likely to include any antenna or wind instruments at the masthead.