Visit our Popular Forums

JusDreaming · 22-07-2007, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickm505

Rodz, I'm not so sure exactly what happened. I felt no shock or discomfort which would seem to indicate I was caught up in a side flash of some sort. On the other hand, everything on top of the mast ain't there anymore and much that was connected to DC wiring suffered damage.It's a boat!

When we were hit, it was a direct hit, and was witnessed, and threw a giant smoke ring off the top of the mast. I was outside and did not get a shock, maybe a little tingle, the admiral had her foot on the compression post and took a bit of a charge. Like you Rick, the first indication/realization we had been hit was the things falling from the top of the mast

. Rick check your PM!!

**Alan Wheeler** · 22-07-2007, 12:30

Protection from induction. Well like all lightening strikes, many follow the general rules of electricity and then there are the few that don't.
However, if we do follow the eletrical rules, then the magnetic flux radiates mostly at a right angle to the electrical discharge. This means that most of that magnetic field was way above your head and most electrical equipment woudl have had sufficient protection by it's own internal shielding/earthing.

**Pblais** · 22-07-2007, 16:51

Quote:

Electrical connectors on both the Stereo and VHF radio were melted. Interior breakers had popped.

Ok so it came all the way from the sky. You think it can't jump a breaker? Terrible experience I'm sure. It's bad enough when it happens and you are not there. This stuff is not so predictable as far as how it will behave. At least it went for the masthead and not your own head.

**Alan Wheeler** · 22-07-2007, 22:09

Quote:

At least it went for the masthead and not your own head.

Which could also explain a lot. Like maybe there is not a lot of conductive matter inside, Otherwise why on earth were you out sailing in a thunderstorm. :-(

Steve Pope · 22-07-2007, 22:28

Had a mate on a lidguard 42 on a pile mooring at Sandspit who thought that someone had rubbed the boat amidships, and was nonplussed to find that nothing electrical worked, on leaving the boat he circled it to find a matching spot on the other side. He went back on board and inspected the inside and found major damage with only a couple of millimetres of kauri left. this was where the lightening strike had left the boat. It now has a copper strip from the chain plates to a keel bolt. The boat was profesionally built without that crucial copper strip.

Tropic Cat · 22-07-2007, 23:10

Thunderstorms are adrenaline pumpers, besides it was a character building experience which everyone should try... once.

Actually when we left the dock it was bright and sunny with a 30% chance of showers. When you get caught in a thunderstorm, there's no way to outrun it, so you just push on through.

Tropic Cat · 15-12-2007, 08:06

Before and After lightning strike mast photos

Before

After

liberty16 · 15-12-2007, 11:18

Maybe it's just me but I'm not seeing the photos you are trying to post.

Colorado Dreamer · 15-12-2007, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by liberty16

Maybe it's just me but I'm not seeing the photos you are trying to post.

Nope. I cant see them either. MAC OSX running Firefox Browser. FYI.

**Hud3** · 15-12-2007, 11:56

Rick,

Sorry you got hit!

I'm really curious, though, about what you observed on your boat. Do you have any bronze through-hulls? Any discoloration of the bronze? Crazing of the gelcoat near the metal? Do you have a bonding system (through-hulls, engine, metal tanks, standing rigging, etc.).

My boat has everything bonded with hefty copper wire, with the exception of one of the two backstays, which is a SSB antenna.

A friend's boat was struck while in a slip. The current exited through the engine/shaft. His oil was as thick as tar, and had to be coaxed out with solvent before the engine could be rehabilitated. Lightning is weird stuff!

BTW, I can see the photos.

All the best,

Sandero · 15-12-2007, 15:12

Bummer Rick.

But thank dog you're OK and the boat didn't blow out a seacock and take on water.

The up side is that you get to inspect everything with a fine toothed comb and get some new and upgraded gear. One step back and two forward and you are a wiser man for it.

Now don't sail over there again!

Tropic Cat · 15-12-2007, 17:58

My network engineer is on the case to figure out why some can't see these photos. When I visit this thread, I can see them perfectly.

While I'm at updating this thread, let me now give a complete list of the destruction.

Fried Electronics:

On board stereo
VHF radio
VHF antenna
mast DC wiring
Masthead Tricolor
Mast running lamp
Spreader lights
Solar panel charge controller
blown diode in Siemans 65 watt solar panel
Windex
A/C inverter (in port hull)
4 Fluorescent light fixtures
Battery charger (in port hull)
Engine Starter (in port hull)
Port Yanmar engine panel

The hulls and cabin were completely undamaged. Neither of us felt a shock when we were hit. First indication was that the tricolor light was blown off the mast and landed in the water near me.

Hud3 wrote .....
Do you have any bronze through-hulls? -- No

Crazing of the gelcoat near the metal? --- no

Do you have a bonding system (through-hulls, engine, metal tanks, standing rigging, etc.)? No. I have twin inboard diesels which obviously are directly connected to sea water via my prop shafts. Other than the standard DC ground to the engine block there is no bonding or lightning protection at all.

amberdell · 15-12-2007, 17:59

Hey guys, per the not being able to see the images,
I'm running Vista Business and am able to bring them right up.

btw, being on Catalpa when she was hit was a chilling adventure I hope to not repeat any time soon.