Waterfront Terms In Lighthouse Point: Draft, Dockage, Wake

Shopping for a waterfront home in Lighthouse Point and bringing a boat into the equation? A few small words in a listing can shape your daily boating life, your maintenance plan, and your long‑term property value. If terms like draft, dockage, bridge clearance, and no‑wake zones feel confusing, you are not alone.

This guide breaks down the essentials in plain language, with a focus on how Lighthouse Point’s canals and access to the Intracoastal Waterway affect your experience. You will learn what to verify, how to plan routes, and what to ask before you buy. Let’s dive in.

Key waterfront terms, made simple

Draft

Draft is the vertical distance from the waterline to the lowest fixed point on your boat. It tells you the minimum water depth your boat needs to avoid grounding. Listings may claim “deep‑water canal” or “accommodates up to X’ draft,” but those claims can assume favorable tides. Always compare your boat’s draft to actual canal and dock depths at the tide you expect to use.

Air draft

Air draft is the distance from the waterline to the highest fixed point on your boat, like a mast, flybridge, or antenna. It determines whether you can pass under fixed bridges or powerlines. For sailboats and tall motor yachts, air draft is often the limiting factor on the route to the ocean.

Beam

Beam is your boat’s maximum width. It affects whether you can fit into a private slip, tie along a dock, or turn in a narrow canal or basin. Older seawalls and slips were built for smaller boats, so confirm fit and maneuvering room before you commit.

Dockage

Dockage is where you moor the boat. It can mean a private dock, a marina slip, a floating dock, or a covered slip. The details matter: slip length and width, piling spacing, power and water hookups, and permitted boat types determine whether your boat will actually work there. If a listing says “dockage for X’ boat,” verify the measurements in person.

Bridge clearance

Bridge clearance is the vertical distance between the water surface and the lowest point of a bridge. Fixed bridges have a set clearance referenced to a tidal datum, often mean high water. Drawbridges have a lower clearance when closed but open on a schedule to allow taller boats through. Your boat’s air draft must fit the lowest clearance on your route, or you will need a bridge opening.

Fixed bridges vs drawbridges

A fixed bridge offers a set clearance. If your air draft is taller, you cannot pass. A drawbridge opens to let taller vessels through, but you will need to check opening schedules, restricted hours, and any notice requirements. These details shape your timing to and from the ocean.

No‑wake zones

No‑wake zones require idle speed to protect seawalls, docks, and other boats. You will find them in residential canals, marina basins, and near shorelines. They help preserve neighborhood infrastructure and reduce conflicts. They also affect your transit time.

Tidal datums and tide timing

Depths and bridge clearances are often published against a tidal datum such as mean lower low water or mean high water. That reference point matters. The same canal can be a foot deeper at high tide than at low tide. Always match your use case to the tide you plan to run.

Seawall height and dock elevation

Seawall and dock elevation influence flood risk, storm protection, and permitting. They also affect insurance and long‑term maintenance. Confirm elevation relative to local mean sea level and review any past seawall work and permits.

Why these terms matter in Lighthouse Point

Lighthouse Point’s canals connect to the Intracoastal Waterway and then to the Atlantic via nearby inlets. On paper, many homes offer “ocean access,” but the real question is whether your specific boat can get out comfortably and consistently.

• Canal depths vary. Residential canals are often shallower than the Intracoastal. Sediment, storms, and dredging schedules can change depths over time. A sportfish with more draft may be fine in one canal and not in the next.
• Bridge mix and heights matter. Broward County features both fixed bridges and drawbridges. A tall sportfish or sailboat may be limited by air draft, even if depth is adequate.
• Tight turning basins are common. Beam and turning radius can affect whether you can dock without stress, especially in older neighborhoods with smaller slips or narrow canals.
• No‑wake zones shape timing. Most residential canals are idle speed to protect property. That adds minutes to your route and may influence where you choose to live relative to your favorite inlet.
• Tides and seasonal extremes add nuance. South Florida’s typical tide range is modest, but seasonal high tides, storm surge, and king tides can change your margins. That can lower bridge clearance or raise water against docks and seawalls.

When you match your boat’s draft, air draft, and beam to a specific property and route, daily boating becomes simple. When you ignore those details, you risk hassles, fines, or costly alterations later.

How to verify listing claims

Do not rely on marketing language alone. Use these steps before you write an offer or during due diligence.

Confirm depths and dimensions

• Ask for recent soundings or a depth survey and the tidal datum used.
• If none exist, arrange a professional sounding at both high and low tide.
• Measure the slip length and width, piling spacing, and distance to neighbors for maneuvering.
• Compare your boat’s loaded draft and beam to the measured conditions.

Check vertical clearance and bridges

• Identify every bridge on your planned route to the Intracoastal and to the inlet you prefer.
• Measure your boat’s air draft in real use, including antennas, biminis, and dinghy.
• Confirm the lowest fixed bridge clearance and note drawbridge schedules and any restricted hours.

Review local rules and no‑wake zones

• Walk or boat the route and note posted signs for speed and no‑wake areas.
• Ask local marinas or long‑time residents about busy periods and common congestion points.

Inspect the dock and seawall

• Evaluate piling condition, cap integrity, and dock surface.
• Confirm power and water service and whether a lift exists or can be permitted.
• Check for HOA or deed restrictions on boat types or sizes.

Verify permits and maintenance history

• Request copies of permits and records for past seawall repairs, dock work, or dredging.
• Contact the City of Lighthouse Point and Broward County to confirm permit history and any open issues.

Consider tides, storms, and insurance

• Review typical high and low tide ranges and how they affect your margins.
• Understand flood zone classification and how seawall and dock condition affect insurance.

Bring in specialists when needed

• Hire a marine surveyor to assess the dock, pilings, and approach.
• Consult a coastal engineer or licensed surveyor for seawall elevation, structural health, or dredging feasibility.
• For complex permitting, speak with a local maritime attorney or permitting specialist.

Permits, maintenance, and value

Waterfront homes bring unique costs and responsibilities. Knowing them up front helps you budget and negotiate with confidence.

• Dock and seawall permits. Most new docks and seawall work require permits from the City of Lighthouse Point and Broward County. Work in navigable waters may also involve state or federal reviews.
• Dredging. Some properties rely on periodic dredging to maintain depth. Dredging requires permits and can be expensive. Deferred dredging can limit larger boats and impact resale.
• Insurance and elevation. Flood zone classification, seawall height, and dock condition influence premiums and overall risk management.
• Market impact. Properties with reliable depth and fewer access restrictions often attract a broader buyer pool. Premiums for that convenience are common, but ongoing maintenance and insurance costs still matter to your net value.

Plan your route, then pick your home

Start with your boat and your routines.

• If you run a deeper‑draft boat, focus on canals and basins with proven depth, and verify at low tide. Keep a margin for seasonal lows.
• If you run a tall boat or sailboat, map every bridge to the ocean and check drawbridge schedules. Your limiting factor is often air draft, not depth.
• If you prefer quick runs to the ocean, factor in no‑wake zones and traffic patterns. A home closer to open water may save you time on every outing.
• If you plan to add a lift or upgrade a dock, price the permit path and the work early. That can be a deciding factor between two homes.

Quick buyer checklist

• Ask the seller or agent for:
  • Recent depth soundings and the datum used
  • Dock dimensions, piling spacing, and any structural reports
  • Seawall permits, repair records, and any dredging history
• Measure your boat:
  • Draft loaded, air draft with all equipment up, and beam at the widest point
• Cross‑check the route:
  • Depths at your expected tide, lowest fixed bridge clearance, and drawbridge schedules
  • Posted no‑wake zones and any local restrictions
• Line up experts if needed:
  • Marine surveyor for dock and approach
  • Coastal engineer for seawall and elevation
  • Permitting specialist for complex work

Buying in Lighthouse Point should feel exciting, not uncertain. If you want a clear, low‑stress plan to match your boat, budget, and lifestyle to the right property, connect with The Buchbinder Group for a private, confidential consultation.

FAQs

What does “deep water” mean in Lighthouse Point listings?

• It is subjective. Ask for a numeric depth and the tidal datum used, and verify with a recent sounding at high and low tide along your approach.

Does “ocean access” guarantee my boat can get out?

• Only if your draft and air draft fit the route’s depths and bridge clearances, and drawbridge schedules align with your timing.

How do I know if my sailboat will clear bridges?

• Measure your air draft fully rigged and compare it to the lowest fixed bridge on your route and to drawbridge opening schedules.

Are no‑wake zones enforced in Broward canals?

• Yes. State and local agencies enforce idle speed and no‑wake rules to protect docks, seawalls, and boaters. Violations can result in fines.

Who is responsible for dredging near a private dock?

• It varies. Public channels are maintained by agencies, while private or municipal canals may depend on owners, associations, or county projects. Check local records before you buy.

Will a private dock keep my boat safe during storms?

• Not by itself. Safety depends on dock design, pilings, storm preparation, and local surge exposure. Seawall elevation and construction standards matter and should be evaluated by a professional.