Can a duck complete the "great loop?"

Yes, the duck can complete the loop but I believe for coastal cruising I would look at the sedan version.
http://dieselducks.com/462-Sedan.html
I'm sure George could answer this better than I.

Randal Johnson

I've read that the max clearance going through Chicago is 20ft. Are the masts on a Diesel Duck that low or can they be retracted?

I've read that the air draft going through Chicago is a little over 15 feet. The mast on the ones I've seen is hinged at the base and the boat is equiped with a cradle at the front of the pilot house and the mast can be laid down into it. What the height is then I do not know but I believe it is less than 15 feet.
Randal Johnson

If you are going to do the entire Erie Canal then 15' is your limit. If you enter(exit) from (into) Lake Ontario, you have 20' of clearance. I don't know about the Chicago River. You would have to ask Bill or George about the air draft on the 462 with the mast down. Of course if you do the St. Laurence, who cares

The standard steadying mast on a 462 is 33' high. East to fold down though.

quote:

The standard steadying mast on a 462 is 33' high. East to fold down though.

Bill Kimley
www.SeahorseYachts.com

What happens to the ease of folding the mast down with a fly-bridge? If the current fly-bridge is incompatible with the hinged mast, could a fly-bridge be constructed with a split down the center line for the folded mast?