BajaNomad - Low bridges ? - Powered by XMB

Low bridges ?

Lengua - 8-3-2023 at 06:40 AM

Nomads , we’re towing our boat to La Paz. We have array radar on the hardtop of the boat. I know there are a lot of semis , diesel pushers and tall larger vehicles that travel Hwy 1. I’m curious if there are any low bridges along the way. We know our clear height but still wanted to pose the question .

Thanks in advance for any information you can share.

SFandH - 8-3-2023 at 08:08 AM

Where are you starting from? There are bridges over Hwy 1 between TJ and Ensenada, before the start of the toll road and over the toll road. I can't think of any on Hwy 1 south of Ensenada.

BajaMama - 8-3-2023 at 08:09 AM

You would have a better drive on Mex 5 to Mex 1. I have never been south of Loreto but I can't think of any bridges that would impair your drive. The roads have "T" intersections, most bridges are across arroyos that are prone to flooding.

mtgoat666 - 8-3-2023 at 08:48 AM

If you are at or under 13’6” height then I would not worry. The standard height trucks and busses seem to do fine all up and down baja highways.
If you are taller than 14’ then you probably require require a special permit to operate in California on your way to Mexico, and perhaps mexico has permit requirement for for heights over 14’…

[Edited on 8-3-2023 by mtgoat666]

JZ - 8-3-2023 at 08:52 AM

My last boat had radar. Pulled it to Santa Rosalia without an issue.

mjs - 8-3-2023 at 09:18 AM

Crossing at Mexicali east crossing and going south on Calz. Manuel Gómez Morín you would encounter three bridges on your route south. Blvd. Lázaro Card##as, Mexico Hwy 2D undercoating and Hwy 3 intersection. No issues if you are under the 13'6" height. Nothing south of there IIRC.

Eta additional information.

[Edited on 8-3-2023 by mjs]

Alan - 8-3-2023 at 09:40 AM

I have towed my boat to La Paz, Loreto and Mag Bay at least a dozen times. I would recommend crossing at Mexicali East for a couple of reasons.

1st - Hwy 5 can save you 4-5 hours than San Ysidro but only you can calculate the time it will take you to get over to Mexicali

2nd The East crossing takes you pretty much around town. There are a couple of underpasses but none that would present a problem and from Mexicali on, it is smooth sailing.

Before Mx 5 was opened, I was northbound and missed my turn down to the malecon when I got into Ensenada. I ended up going right through downtown. What a nightmare! The overpasses weren't the problem. It was all of the low hanging powerlines

The antennas on my hardtop just barely cleared them. With my heart in my throat, convinced I was on the verge of wiping out the entire power grid for northern Baja, some guys suddenly started yelling at me. I immediately slammed on the brakes and rolled down my window to hear what they were saying. They repeated "Nice boat!" and gave me a thumbs up. I almost flipped them off :biggrin:

pacificobob - 8-3-2023 at 11:31 AM

The question would be better if the required clearance of your boat was disclosed..

larryC - 8-3-2023 at 02:02 PM

you hit the nail on the head bob

Hook - 8-3-2023 at 02:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob

The question would be better if the required clearance of your boat was disclosed..

So you can compare it to the internet-posted clearance heights on Mexican highways? :lol:

If it was the US, I'd say that's important. In Mexico, we would all be speculating......like we are now.

Lengua - 8-3-2023 at 05:07 PM

Thanks for the responses. I need to verify the clear height needed but If it’s greater than 14’ , maybe it’s a problem. Most of the responses appeared to not need additional info but I appreciate your critique of my question.

Win the Day

RnR - 8-3-2023 at 05:23 PM

There are two bridges just as you enter La Paz. The airport overpass and the big overpass interchange near Walmart.

Standard height trucks (13' 6") have no problem with these overpasses.

There are also quite a few pedestrian overpass bridges scattered around La Paz. Again, standard ht trucks = no problem.

Lengua - 8-3-2023 at 05:32 PM

Thank you

Alan - 8-4-2023 at 06:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RnR

There are two bridges just as you enter La Paz. The airport overpass and the big overpass interchange near Walmart.

Standard height trucks (13' 6") have no problem with these overpasses.

There are also quite a few pedestrian overpass bridges scattered around La Paz. Again, standard ht trucks = no problem.

Both of these overpasses are very high and won't pose any issues

Lengua - 8-4-2023 at 06:55 PM

Thanks Alan , you and I have met. I met you at the Cantamar prior to the guys going their own way and starting Baja Rancheros. I still fish with Luis Lieras and Juan Carlos. I also stay in touch Ivan at BACO.

Thanks again ,
Mike

RFClark - 8-4-2023 at 10:29 PM

South of La Paz there are several bridges. The one I wonder about is a pedestrian overpass in San Pedro.

Alan - 8-5-2023 at 09:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lengua

Thanks Alan , you and I have met. I met you at the Cantamar prior to the guys going their own way and starting Baja Rancheros. I still fish with Luis Lieras and Juan Carlos. I also stay in touch Ivan at BACO.

Thanks again ,
Mike

Oh yes. I remember you. Baja Rancheros are running my old boat now. I still fish with Luis and Juanqui whenever I can. Nice to hear from you

Alan - 8-5-2023 at 09:15 AM

One other thing I need to point out and that is the grade dropping down into Santa Rosalia. Make sure you downshift and take your time or you will fry your brakes

pacificobob - 8-5-2023 at 09:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob

The question would be better if the required clearance of your boat was disclosed..

So you can compare it to the internet-posted clearance heights on Mexican highways? :lol:

No.....so i could compare the required clearance to my experience of a half century of driving the peninsula.

Lengua - 8-5-2023 at 01:45 PM

Thank you last word Bob

zzzxxx - 8-7-2023 at 11:42 AM

As stated previously, you should have no problem with bridges if your boat is under 13'6". However, telephone lines and power lines are another story. My boat is 13'2" from radar array to ground while on the trailer, and I have pulled down two telephone poles going from Los Barriles to the Marina at la Ribera. When I get to Baja, first run to the marina is mid-day to check clearances and shakedown cruise of the boat. Both times I pulled down the poles was after many trips back and forth to the marina on the same route. So, telephone line/power line clearance changes - something to be aware of. Main roads and highways are almost always clear, but going further into towns can be almost impossible. Amazingly, no damage to the radar in either instance.

Lengua - 8-7-2023 at 06:56 PM

ZZZXXX, thanks for the response. We left the VHF antenna up on our boat in Loreto and clipped a few low hanging lines and we were thankful that some locals waved us down. Like you , we are installing Array radar and I am unclear as to what our final height will be. The sea view mounts with 360 view and anchor light add anywhere from 4-8”. 13’6” appears to be the consensus. Once the radar is installed I’ll have a height number to work with.

zzzxxx - 8-8-2023 at 10:30 PM

Yes, I paid for the poles. At least my insurance company did. Fully insured, the ONLY way to go.

zzzxxx - 8-8-2023 at 10:36 PM