There is a Marriott with a marina in downtown Tampa, between the convention
center and the Forum, close to Channelside and Ybor City. The hotel is on
the Garrison Channel. There are two low bridges on either end of the
channel - one to the east and one to the west of the hotel. The bridge to
the east supposedly has a 10ft clearance, while the bridge to the west,
closest to the hotel, is reported to have a 17 to 21ft clearance, depending
on tides. Since the tides in West Florida are closer to 2ft this time of
year, the real swing seems to be 18 to 20ft. My boat requires 19ft, and I
can maybe squeeze through 18ft with the antenna down, but it would be scary.

I got this information from the very helpful and seemingly informed
dockmaster at the Marriott, but I'd like to get a second opinion. Besides
getting the height of the bridge, I'd like to know the formation of the
bridge. In other words, is it higher in the middle, and therefore only
maybe 14 to 16ft on the outside? Of course crossing under the bridge in
strong winds and trying to keep it dead in the center is going to be tough.
It's bad enough that there is only one low tide in Tampa the day I arrive,
and it's at 7:30am. Having my radar and antennas ripped off my arch will be
a very bad way to start a day.

So are there any local folks out there that can help me out?

Thanks,
TT