Shopping waterfront in Hobe Sound and wondering if your boat will actually make it from your dock to open water? You are not alone. Matching bridge clearance and boat draft to the right property is the piece many buyers miss until it becomes a costly surprise. In this guide, you’ll learn the simple way to measure your vessel, map your route, verify tides and official depths, and ask the right questions before you commit. Let’s dive in.
Why draft and clearance matter in Hobe Sound
Two measurements determine whether you can safely access, dock, and leave a property:
- Draft: the depth of your hull below the waterline.
- Air draft: the height from the waterline to your highest fixed point.
In and around Hobe Sound, most properties reach the Atlantic via the Intracoastal Waterway and nearby inlets like Jupiter and Lake Worth. Channels and inlets can shoal and are dredged periodically. Private canals are often shallower than the federal channel and may not be maintained. That is why you should confirm both the vertical and underwater limits for your exact route, not just the general area.
Map your route to open water
Start with a simple route map: private dock to community canal to Intracoastal, then to your preferred inlet. List every bridge and narrow channel you’ll pass. Identify which bridges are fixed and which are movable, and note any community or HOA-controlled canal segments.
Use official charts to visualize key waypoints and soundings. You can review bridge symbols and channel depths on NOAA nautical charts and then confirm real-time issues with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Local Notices to Mariners.
Calculate safe bridge clearance (air draft)
Your minimum clearance is your air draft plus a safety margin. Include room for waves and water-level swings. Bridge clearances are published against a tidal datum, commonly mean high water. Always confirm which datum is used and compare it to predicted water levels for the time you plan to transit.
Check the exact tide predictions for your nearest station on NOAA Tides & Currents. For movable bridges, confirm opening schedules and any operating restrictions via the Coast Guard’s notices or the relevant local authority before you rely on a timed passage.
Confirm depth for your draft
Your minimum required depth is your boat’s draft at operating load plus a safety margin. Account for fuel, passengers, and “squat,” which causes a moving boat to sit lower in shallow water. Because canal bottoms shift and shoal, assume that posted or historic depths may not reflect current conditions.
The Intracoastal’s maintained, or “project,” depth is published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. Review current projects and updates on the district site for context, then verify conditions locally. Start with the USACE Jacksonville District’s navigation information. Cross-check with up-to-date soundings from a local marine surveyor and user reports, and confirm any alerts in the Coast Guard’s Local Notices to Mariners.
What to request from the seller or HOA
Ask for documents that prove the canal and dock are suitable for your vessel:
- Recent dock “as-built” showing dock elevation and lift heights.
- Any permits for the existing dock or lift and notes about lift capacity or height limits.
- Canal or basin soundings and recent dredging records, or written confirmation of who maintains the canal.
- HOA covenants or architectural rules that limit boat length, beam, draft, or lift heights.
If any item is missing, treat it as a due-diligence task, not an assumption.
Due diligence timeline that works
Keep your verification inside your inspection window so you can act on what you learn:
- Early scheduling: line up a marine surveyor for spot soundings at the dock and canal entrance.
- Route test: when possible, run the entire route with a local captain at a realistic tide level.
- Bridge check: confirm published clearances, tidal datum, and any bridge work or restrictions with the relevant agency.
- Paper trail: verify permits, HOA approvals, and any maintenance agreements for dredging.
If constraints arise, practical options
If your preferred boat and a specific property do not match, consider:
- Selecting a smaller or trailerable vessel.
- Leasing a deeper or higher-clearance slip at a nearby marina.
- Modifying the dock or lift with proper permits. In some areas, dredging may be an option, but confirm who pays and whether approvals are feasible.
- Using dry stack, an off-site slip, or a mooring field as your primary berth.
Hobe Sound access patterns to know
- Waterways: Most Hobe Sound homes reach the Intracoastal first, then nearby ocean inlets. Expect a mix of fixed high bridges and moveable spans across the region.
- Shoaling: Inlets and ICW segments can change between dredging cycles. Track current advisories in the Coast Guard’s Local Notices to Mariners.
- Private canals: Depths vary widely and maintenance is inconsistent. Some communities dredge on a schedule, others do not.
- Rules and permits: Dock and lift projects are regulated. County or HOA rules may limit vessel size, beam, draft, or lift heights. Obtain and review all governing documents before you finalize a purchase.
One-page buyer checklist
- Vessel data
- Record draft, air draft, length, and beam.
- Bring manufacturer specs or a recent survey.
- Request from seller/HOA
- Dock as-built, lift elevation, and permits.
- Canal soundings, dredging records, or maintenance agreement.
- HOA covenants affecting boat size or lifts.
- Verify published constraints
- Use NOAA Tides & Currents for tide predictions and datum.
- Check NOAA nautical charts for bridges and soundings.
- Review USACE Jacksonville District’s navigation information for Intracoastal project depths and dredging.
- Monitor the Coast Guard’s Local Notices to Mariners for recent shoaling or bridge alerts.
- Onsite checks
- Hire a marine surveyor for spot soundings at the dock and canal entrance.
- If feasible, complete a trial transit with a local captain at a realistic tide level.
- Contract contingencies
- Include a “vessel access” inspection contingency.
- Allow for review of HOA covenants and municipal permits.
- Post-contract
- Apply for any needed dock or lift permits.
- Budget for lift modifications or community dredging if required.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the federal channel depth guarantees canal access. It does not. Always confirm private canal depths separately.
- Confusing tidal datums. Bridge clearance may be published at mean high water while local predictions reference another datum. Use NOAA data to translate.
- Ignoring squat and loading. A heavy, moving boat sits lower in shallow water. Build in a margin.
- Skipping local intel. Marinas, licensed captains, marine surveyors, and dredging contractors can confirm real-world conditions for your exact route.
The right partner for a smooth purchase
If you want a Hobe Sound home that truly fits your boating life, you need more than a great view. You need a plan to match vessel, route, and property. With 45 years guiding waterfront buyers and sellers on the Treasure Coast, I help you line up the right documents, contacts, and contingencies so there are no surprises after closing. Ready to explore homes that work for your boat and your lifestyle? Let’s talk through your route and must-haves with Barbara C Smith.
FAQs
How do tides affect bridges and depth in Hobe Sound?
- Tides reduce bridge clearance at higher water and increase it at lower water, while also changing available depth. Always plan transits using NOAA’s tide predictions for your specific date and location.
How much margin should I keep between boat draft and reported depth?
- There is no single rule, but you should allow for squat, tidal changes, and shoaling. Many buyers look for at least a foot or more of margin, then verify with local soundings.
Do Intracoastal project depths guarantee I can reach my dock?
- No. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project depths apply to the federal channel, not private canals or basins. Confirm your canal with recent local soundings and maintenance records.
When should I schedule a marine survey for canal depth?
- During your inspection contingency. Arrange spot soundings and, when possible, a test run with a local captain early in the due-diligence period.
Can HOA or county rules limit my boat size or lift height?
- Often yes. Many communities regulate maximum vessel length, beam, draft, and lift heights. Request and review governing documents and permits before you finalize your contract.
What is the difference between draft and air draft?
- Draft is the depth of the hull below the waterline. Air draft is the height from the waterline to the highest fixed point on the boat; both must clear your route’s depth and bridge constraints.
