Lightening strike

[goboatingnow]

Took two strikes to the mast this morning , vhf antenna was vaporised in one , predictably at first pass all the raymarine gear is dead , and as yet I can’t get my solar controller back up

At first glance the vhf radio survived as it works !! But haven’t actually tested it.

The boat seems watertight at first inspection

Can anyone suggest a course of action , this hasn’t happened to me before and in quite this way , should I have the rigging inspected ? , lift the boat etc.

[Wotname]

Yikes!

Have you found any evidence of where the strike exited the boat?

[edsailing]

I'd have it hauled and surveyed by someone who understands lightning - insurance should meet the cost - any or all of the electrics and instrumentation could be damaged.

Good luck

[AiniA]

When we were hit many years ago the voltage regulator on the engine was fried. Not obvious at first glance. Talk to insurance and get a survey.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Yikes!

Have you found any evidence of where the strike exited the boat?

No , checked the chainplates under water throu hulls , etc. Nothing obvious , the battery was a huge ground strap to the keel so it may have exited via that , definitely the DC bus bar got a spike , ( my cheap Chinese led fittings , except for two ( out of 30 ) all survived !

Bizarrely my mast top anchor light still works , yet it literally vaporised the ray wind unit. Everything on the seatalk bus is seemingly dead as well as my solar pv system ( still testing this as a 30 fuse controller was blown )

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by edsailing

I'd have it hauled and surveyed by someone who understands lightning - insurance should meet the cost - any or all of the electrics and instrumentation could be damaged.

Good luck

Do you think it needs an immediate haulout , I’ve a three hour motor trip back to my home base anyway , I won’t raise sail until I have the mast inspected

Insurance will cover survey etc. The instruments are old ( st 60) so I will get 70 of the new replacement value.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Took two strikes to the mast this morning , vhf antenna was vaporised in one , predictably at first pass all the raymarine gear is dead , and as yet I can’t get my solar controller back up

At first glance the vhf radio survived as it works !! But haven’t actually tested it.

The boat seems watertight at first inspection

Can anyone suggest a course of action , this hasn’t happened to me before and in quite this way , should I have the rigging inspected ? , lift the boat etc.

Contrary to popular belief, lightning does not take the path of least resistance ... it takes "all" paths and is also likey to jump several feet. Side flashes through the hull are quite common. I've done several insurance investigations where side flashes caused thousands of pinholes in the hull from the waterline down.

Call your insurance and get her out of the water for a complete inspection.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Contrary to popular belief, lightning does not take the path of least resistance ... it takes "all" paths and is also likey to jump several feet. Side flashes through the hull are quite common. I've done several insurance investigations where side flashes caused thousands of pinholes in the hull from the waterline down.

Call your insurance and get her out of the water for a complete inspection.

I still have to motor her for three hours , no haulout possible at this location

[boatpoker]

A very interesting old thread that discusses side flashes.
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ded-86839.html

[goboatingnow]

Talking to surveyor the mast is grounded by a very very big cable to the forward keelboat. I d looked and see no obvious damage

[ItDepends]

One more piece of advice for anybody hit by lightning. Put off signing off on the final insurance settlement for as long as you can. It is not at all unusual for things that initially test out as OK, but are hanging on by a thread and die with just a little time/use.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by ItDepends

One more piece of advice for anybody hit by lightning. Put off signing off on the final insurance settlement for as long as you can. It is not at all unusual for things that initially test out as OK, but are hanging on by a thread and die with just a little time/use.

That has been my experience with investigating these claims too.

[team karst]

Ouch. Two strikes as in minutes apart? Anyone on the boat?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by team karst

Ouch. Two strikes as in minutes apart? Anyone on the boat?

Yea me and yes about 2-3 mins apart

[goboatingnow]

For interest

What failed

The strike hit the ray marine wind unit , it vaporised and took the vhf antenna with it

What failed

Ray ais
Ray mfd
St60 Tridata
St60 depth
St4000+ AP

( probably the fluxgate is gone )
Victron mppt solar controller

( blew its battery fuse and a replacement shorted immediately )

2 Chinese led saloon lights ( all remaining eight are fine )

The vhf radio powers up and the mast top light remains working !!!

The engine works and the alternator is charging

All motors ( pumps etc ) incfridge are working

Clearly the spike came down the dc bus via the Seatalk feeds.