Electric/cattle fences has anyone used one?

[Robertcateran]

Originally Posted by anotherT34C

Not such a good idea. As others have written, you need a potential difference to make a current. A fiberglass hull won't do as a ground. How about a bigger lock? For the paranoid, a well locked up sailboat can make a pretty sturdy fortress.

The pulse is pretty short and your own capacitance allows a reasonable quantity of electrons to pass. The shock is certainly there as rubberised boots are not sufficient to stop some shock. It is certainly stronger if you have a good return circuit. Try holding onto a high tension lead even if standing on an inch of dry rubber.

[quidam]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

I'v got 2 miles of electric fence around my place..I dont know what kind of fence chargers or what kind of laws of physic you boys run down there but if you aint grounded here you wont get shocked..My fence is almost worthless by august due to dry ground resulting in poor grounding.

Yes, you must be grounded. Electricity 101.

I like the carpet tack method better.

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by BadFish

IMHO...

This is a stupid idea. I've had some bad ones in my day, but never purposely surrounded myself with an electrically charged object.

If you're that concerned with security, use a practical idea, like a heavy duty lock. If you need personal safety while aboard, get a dog and/or a gun.

Cheers

Bill

As a non-US citizen I can't get a gun when I'm there (though we did .22 rifle shooting at school in South Africa so I can shoot, but I won't be in SA any time soon to get a lisence), and getting a license for a gun in the uk is nigh on impossible unless u belong to a country estate rifle club... what are the law's on owning a crossbow (which I am rather proficient with, and the longbow) in the US and other countries? Would I have problems in customs at other ports? I do like the idea of one, as any pirates using sail would be a fine target for a flaming bolt...

[highseas]

Pretty sure spearguns and pellet guns are regarded as weapons,most likely crossbows also.

[Captn_Black]

Here in the UK they are classed as 'offensive weapons' only if they are used as one. Just possession of one doesn't require a license, though they have recently changed the law for high powered air-rifles to be over 18 only...

[Captn_Black]

But then a stick is also an offensive weapon according to the law here if its used as one...

[Stillraining]

Gordy posted a long list..most island destinations seemed to ban spear guns. cross bows, bows etc.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by quidam

Yes, you must be grounded. Electricity 101.

I like the carpet tack method better.

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE GROUNDED!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasnt grounded when I was zapped! I had boots on. The whole damn cattle fencey business ain't gunna work if all cattle nned sloshy feet and an electric wire into the ground. think about it - there must be a way they are working.

[Lodesman]

Here's the link to the commercial version: http://www.secure-marine.com/yacht/index.shtml

[bmartinsen]

Thanks for all the replies. What I've learned is that not one person responding has "actually tried this"! I know the techno issues to make it work and I'm not looking for a gun/weapon discussion or alternitives. Just real life facts, did it work, cause corrosion, blow up radios, etc. Too many unanswered questions for me to consider trying it.
Cheers

[Pblais]

Too many unanswered questions for me to consider trying it.

Too many answered questions as well. This is a topic that comes up time and time again. The ultimate in aggressive attack defensive systems.

Plastics owls are cheaper and have comparable performance and similar mythical properties concerning a narrower variety of unwanted guests. People do buy and sell those.

[anotherT34C]

I looked into electric fences (just now). They work differently than I originally thought. They have an 'energizer' which sends out high voltage pulses (about ~1 sec) that terminate into a grounding pole (in our case, a wire into the water). In this case, you wouldn't need the 'victim' to be grounded.

Not sure what this would do to your zinc...

[swagman]

Interesting the way people approach possible risks when they plan to go off cruising.

Cruising for me is heading off over the sunset, sailing free, meeting new people with an open mind etc etc. With so many square miles of ocean to explore, its easy enough to avoid the bad spots - you just go elsewhere.

Surely thats an easier solution than carrying a stock of weapons, electric fences or even flaming crossbow bolts?

Cheers
JOHN

[anotherT34C]

Originally Posted by swagman

Interesting the way people approach possible risks when they plan to go off cruising.

Cruising for me is heading off over the sunset, sailing free, meeting new people with an open mind etc etc. With so many square miles of ocean to explore, its easy enough to avoid the bad spots - you just go elsewhere.

Surely thats an easier solution than carrying a stock of weapons, electric fences or even flaming crossbow bolts?

Cheers
JOHN

Agree 100%. I'm far more scared of weather than I am of people.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by swagman

Interesting the way people approach possible risks when they plan to go off cruising...
JOHN

Why do we take risks and pursue adventure? Wouldn't it be easier and better to play safe and stay at home?

This will make an excellent topic for another discussion. I tried to open such as discussion < http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...gy-3233-2.html > back in 2006, but it wasn’t productive at that time.

Are there any adults wishing to try again?