Lightning Strikes

[Greg_Colleen]

Hmmm, scary!!

[Greg_Colleen]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have read some interesting articles that people have directed me to, and although there are a few mixed opinions and theory's, I think the winner is.... "ground the mast".

Thanks again everyone and if I don't get struck by lighting..... I'll let you know

[Orion Jim]

I had a bolt hit the water close to me many years ago...maybe 1983. There was no indication that it actually struck the mast. It took out my engine instruments, my VHF, and my Micrologic LORAN....that brought tears to my eyes...rather expensive instrument at the time. Everything else was fine so I sailed back home and had the boat hauled for a good check of all the running gear and the seacocks. The electronics were replaced and I was back in action in a week or two.
My present boat is fully bonded to a sintered bronze ground plate. Thankfully it’s not been put to use....as far as I know....

[BugzyCan]

Just remember, when you see lightning approaching, move your boat close to a multi hull, preferably in between two of them.

[Cpt Pat]

Originally Posted by acem

I have been in vehicles struck by lightning but not a boat. I won't go into details. It was scary butI am ok.

A sailboat mast is a much more likely path for lightning than air so if you are on open water grounding your mast will not increase your chances of getting struck. If you are in a marina with alot of other sailboats I am not sure.

I ground my mast.

Put your backup electronics in a metal box such as an ammo box. It is a better Faraday cage than your oven and you won't cook them when preheating your oven!

Thx-Ace

Thx-Ace

Good advice above. If you don't have an ammo box but have a microwave oven:

1) Unplug the oven.
2) Put backup electronics in the oven.
3) Remove the contents before plugging the oven back in.

My backup electronics are:

Handheld marine band VHF radio, GPS and aviation band transceiver (for distress calls and to receive up-to-date automated weather from any coastal airport anywhere in the world that has ATIS, ASOS or AWOS service.) LED light (yes, LEDs can get zapped). Small all-band shortwave receiver, PLB, and fresh batteries for all of the above. Since I have paper charts, I can easily use only the handheld GPS receiver to navigate.

And if you have neither the box nor the oven: wrap your backup electronics in aluminum foil. You can also disconnect all cables to your mounted electronics and wrap them in foil as well. It's better than leaving the electronics naked to lightning.

From my own experience: if you have any steel wool on board, toss it overboard. One tiny arc and it will ignite. Steel wool and a battery makes a great fire starter.

It's also good to just store a backup compass semi-permanently in a steel box. Maybe that hand-sighting compass you never use?

I also carry a sextant, a current set of tables, and a reliable wristwatch - just in case.

(I'm sure some CF Troll is going to flame me for taking some of the precautions above. They hate sailors who use traditional navigation. I suspect they are on Apple's or Garmin's payroll.)

[Cpt Pat]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

Just remember, when you see lightning approaching, move your boat close to a multi hull, preferably in between two of them.

Thor hates multi-hulls.