My question is: what benefit is there in fitting a lightning rod to the masthead of a aluminium mast?
I am NOT wanting to debate the various merits of lightning protection methods in general (like size of grounding wiring, types of ground point etc) as these are already well done here and elsewhere (IMO).
I currently have an SS inverted brush rod bolted to my masthead. My rigger sold it to me when I asked him for lightning rod. He assured me it was the lastest in protection and IIRC, his reasoning was "it is what all the latest Eurpoean boats are using". I probably had "wood duck" tattooed on my forehead at the time.
Finally after starting to think about the issue, researching the internet, reading every post of CF on lightning - hundreds on them - and applying my electronic knowledge and applying some logic, I am fast coming to the conclusion that only effects I will get from this item will be:
1. Extra weight aloft - bad.
2. Disruption of the radition pattern of the masthead VHF antenna - bad.
3. Extra windage, possibily minor - bad.
4. Talking point - probably good.
5. General disruption to seagull roosting real estate on the mast head - very good.
The only possible benefit would have been if the rod actually reduced the chance of the strike and so far my reading indicates this is not so. That theory seems to be discredited.
However before I take it down, I would like to hear the considered opinion of CF family in case I am missing something.
By the way, I can't decide if it LOOKS good or bad although some have asked me why I have a toilet brush on my masthead - I guess I know what they think of its appearence
