Shopping for a North Palm Beach waterfront home and keep seeing “no fixed bridges” in the description? If you own a tall sailboat or a sportfishing yacht with a tower, those three words can make or break your purchase. You want real ocean access without surprises. In this guide, you’ll learn what the phrase really means, how local waterways work, and what to verify so your yacht can move from dock to the Atlantic with confidence. Let’s dive in.
What “no fixed bridges” really means
When a listing says “no fixed bridges,” it signals there are no permanent, non-opening bridge spans on the navigable route from the property’s dock to the ocean. In other words, your vessel’s vertical clearance, or air draft, will not be blocked by a low fixed bridge along the way.
Here are a few useful terms:
- Air draft: The height of your vessel above the waterline. Tall masts, towers and antennas count.
- Vertical clearance: The height from the water to the underside of a bridge. Movable bridges have a lower clearance when closed, but they open to allow passage.
- Draft: How deep your vessel sits in the water.
- Controlling depth: The shallowest spot in a channel segment. This limits vessel draft on that route.
“No fixed bridges” helps you understand vertical clearance. It does not guarantee that water depth is sufficient for your boat. You still need to confirm controlling depths and any operational rules for movable bridges on the route.
North Palm Beach waterways at a glance
North Palm Beach sits along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach County. For offshore access, most boaters route from their dock to either the Lake Worth (Palm Beach) Inlet or the Jupiter Inlet. Along these stretches, you encounter a mix of movable bridges that open on schedules or on request, and some fixed spans with higher clearances.
Why it matters: properties marketed with “no fixed bridges” in North Palm Beach are designed to reassure buyers with tall vessels that no low, permanent span blocks the path to the Atlantic. You still plan around bridge openings, channel widths, depths and tides.
Why air draft and draft both matter
- Air draft: If there are no fixed bridges, your mast or tower can usually pass because any bridge you meet is designed to open or there are no bridges at all.
- Draft: Even with unlimited vertical clearance, a deep-keeled sailboat or large motor yacht can be limited by shallow spots. Tides, shoaling and dredging schedules can change available depth.
The bottom line: a clean vertical route means little if the channel’s controlling depth is less than your draft. Verify both.
Planning routes to the ocean
When you map your course from a North Palm Beach dock to the Lake Worth or Jupiter Inlet, think about:
- Bridge operations: Movable bridges open on set schedules or on request. Know how to contact the tender, the timing windows and any posted restrictions before you depart.
- Transit time: Longer runs to the inlet affect day-trip timing, fuel, and weather windows. Narrow or winding channels can slow larger yachts.
- Seasonal conditions: During hurricane season and after strong storms, shoaling can shift. Have a plan for moving your vessel to safe harbor or haul-out when needed.
Dock and slip essentials
A great route only helps if your dock suits your yacht. Review:
- Slip length and beam: Confirm usable length and width for your hull, lines and gear.
- Water depth at the dock: Ask for measured depth at mean low water. Private dock depths can differ from published channel depths.
- Piling, finger piers and utilities: For larger yachts, piling layout, shore power and water service matter. Check permitted dimensions and any restrictions, such as maximum vessel length or use rules.
- Seawall condition: Understand maintenance needs and any required permits before upgrades.
How to verify before you buy
Use this simple, practical checklist:
- Confirm the exact route
- Ask the listing agent to identify the navigable route from the dock to the ocean and to affirm that no fixed, non-opening spans lie on that route.
- Check bridges and clearances
- Review current NOAA nautical charts to confirm bridge types and vertical clearances. Note which bridges are movable and how they operate.
- Consult Florida Department of Transportation bridge data or local bridge inventories for structure type and posted clearances.
- Call the local bridge tender or municipal office to confirm opening procedures and schedules.
- Verify channel depths
- Look up recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveys and Notices to Mariners for controlling depths on the Intracoastal and inlet approaches.
- Speak with the harbormaster or nearby marinas about measured depths at mean low water and any shoaling reports.
- Consider a local marine surveyor for an on-water depth check at low tide.
- Inspect dock infrastructure and permits
- Verify permitted dock dimensions, piling depth, electrical service and water service.
- Confirm any applicable Palm Beach County or municipal rules, including limits on vessel size or usage.
- Plan for operations and storms
- Ask about local haul-out yards, dry-stack options and hurricane procedures for larger yachts.
- Review insurance requirements tied to access and docking.
Insurance, resale and timing
For many carriers and charter operations, unrestricted access is a plus. A property advertised as having “no fixed bridges” can broaden your potential buyer pool down the road, especially among owners of tall sailboats or towered sportfishers. That said, long-term value also depends on dock depth, dredging history and compliance with local rules.
Timing matters too. If you intend to move a vessel quickly after closing, confirm current bridge operations, recent surveys of controlling depths and any planned maintenance closures. A smooth first run to the inlet sets the tone for your ownership experience.
Smart questions to ask your agent
- Which inlet does this property typically use, and why?
- What movable bridges will I encounter and how do they operate?
- What is the most recent controlling depth along the route and at the dock at mean low water?
- Are there any known shoaling areas or ongoing dredging projects nearby?
- What do the permits say about dock length, utilities and vessel size limits?
- Who are the local contacts for bridge schedules, harbormaster guidance and on-water depth checks?
Putting it all together
In North Palm Beach, “no fixed bridges” is a helpful signal that your air draft is not permanently limited on the way to the Atlantic. To make that promise real, confirm the route, review bridges and schedules, verify controlling depths and tides, and inspect the dock and its permits. A little diligence up front protects your boating plans and your property value.
If you want a discreet, knowledgeable partner to navigate the real estate and dock-side details, reach out. With a boutique, legally informed approach, we help you align the right home with the right water access. Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Steve Rockoff to discuss your goals.
FAQs
In North Palm Beach real estate, what does “no fixed bridges” mean?
- It means there are no permanent, non-opening bridge spans on the navigable route from the property’s dock to the ocean, so tall vessels are not blocked by low fixed bridges.
Can a tall sailboat reach the ocean if a listing says “no fixed bridges”?
- Possibly, since vertical clearance is not permanently limited, but you still need to confirm controlling depths, movable-bridge operations and transit distance to an inlet.
How do I verify bridge clearances and channel depths in Palm Beach County?
- Review current NOAA charts, consult U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveys and Notices to Mariners, check Florida DOT bridge information and confirm details on site with a harbormaster or marine surveyor.
Are movable bridges along the Intracoastal reliable for large yachts?
- Generally yes, but they follow set schedules and procedures and may have maintenance closures, so confirm current operating times before you go.
Do tides and shoaling affect routes to Lake Worth or Jupiter Inlet?
- Yes, low tides and shoaling can reduce under-keel clearance, so always check recent surveys, local reports and marina guidance before planning a passage.
What should I check at the dock before closing on a North Palm Beach home?
- Confirm measured depth at mean low water, permitted dock dimensions, piling setup, shore power and water service, seawall condition and any county or HOA restrictions on vessel size or use.
