So if you're stupid enough to own a boat, and pretentious enough to own a sail boat, at some point you have to deal with those peasants that use cars to get around.

Many times those vehicles have to go over waterways and rivers and such.

As a much more superior man, who sails for no reason since it's not the 1700s, how do you get these peasants to get out of the damn way of the river you're trying to sail down?

There are many ways, and only real correct one.

You'll need a VHF radio, despite you not technically requiring one, somehow it doesn't matter what the rules are. You'll need one.

VHF s used for boaters, like a CB radio on the water. In the U.S, there's a variety of channels, but draw bridges are usually on 13 or 16, depending on where you are. 16 is the coast guard emergency channel and a standard monitored channel for mariners.

In Florida, drawbridges use channel 9. Because reasons.

Now if you don't have a VHF, because you're somehow captaining a sailboat or boat the doesn't have clearance for some reason, you can always use your coast guard required signaling horn, and do a 5 second blast followed by a one second blast, that will signal the bridge operator to open the bridge, otherwise,I guess you go home.

If you're on VHF, in Florida, and on Channel 9, you want to repeat the bridge name twice (by specific) to traverse the waterway and identify yourself, as this all has to be recorded.

You don't signal until you're "near" as in, can actually go through it, not in six weeks time. So you're approaching the bridge, maybe a half mile out.

For example:

"Bascule bridge on Main street, bascule bridge on Main street, this is the sailing ship MGTOW, approaching from the North".

At which time, the bridge operator will give you specifics. The three options that will come up will be, that they will open on demand, open on a schedule, which are usually ever half hour on the hour or quarter, or that the bridge is under repair and won't open, so go fuck yourself.

""Bridge opening on at 3:15, stand by"

Might be a response, if it's on a schedule, or will open on demand, depending.

"MGTOW standing by on channel 9"

Is what would be a response.

So you dick off keeping you boat in lane waiting for the bridge to open, fighting wind and current.

Now bridge etiquette and rules are that the boat going toward the bridge has right of way. As in, if the current is pushing you to the bridge goes first, as the one going against the current is more maneuverable. If there's an issue with this, communicate on channel (in Florida, 9) that you are having issues. Like if it's a boat tow or other non-maneuverable craft.

After you go through, because you're not a peasant, and knowing the bridge operator has to record everything, go with:

"This is MGTOW, we're clear, thank you."

And there you go. Sometimes they'll give you extra information, and you may even call them on the phone if you really want to.

Obviously plan your route by accessing all regional charts and plan your route out. Bridges are intimidating to first time boaters, but not a big deal.

Some bridges, by rule, will not communicate while a bridge is in motion to open, so if you come across one opening, then wait until it's done, and ask if you are able to traverse it. Don't come to close to a bridge, as you can easily get swept into it.

Also, in the U.S., fines up to $25k are available if you request a bridge opening as unreasonable. So make sure you know your height before asking for a bridge opening. And this includes easy to remove things on your top, so make sure you're not asking for an opening for not reason.