Lightning, and what to do about it

[fxarcher]

I wanted to call everyone's attention to a blogcast on "On the Wind Sailing", a blog produced by 59 North I listened to on Stitcher.
The episode on April 28, 2020, featuring Jeff Thayer.
Jeff is a scientist who did research on lightning for the space program.

I found it to be the most informative info I ever heard on a subject that is much discussed and little understood.

[belizesailor]

There are a lot of scientists who have done research on lightening...and none of them seem to agree yet. [emoji849]

[robert sailor]

Lightning....the act of being completely unpredictable as to where/who it's going to strike, when it's going to strike and what damages it will create. Sorta the C19 of mother nature. I've read so much on the subject and learned so little it's almost embarrassing.

[Nicholson58]

There are many historical threads on this. The hocus-pocus of lightening has not changed.

[Chotu]

You can get a carbon fiber head. Maybes break half the handles off your toothbrush.

[S/V Illusion]

The one certainty seems to be lots have opinions on “lightening”(sic).

[Discovery 15797]

Every time an 'expert' talks about lightning all I hear is "blah blah blah...blah blah blah blah....**** happens...blah blah blah.

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by Discovery 15797

Every time an 'expert' talks about lightning all I hear is "blah blah blah...blah blah blah blah....**** happens...blah blah blah.

Too funny

[Pegu Club]

If there was actual lightning strike protection it would be well known and used by everyone who could afford it. As it stands presently there is no such protection. One can pretend to mitigate such an event, but if Mother Nature wants to punch your ticket there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

Fair winds,

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by fxarcher

I wanted to call everyone's attention to a blogcast on "On the Wind Sailing", a blog produced by 59 North I listened to on Stitcher.
The episode on April 28, 2020, featuring Jeff Thayer.
Jeff is a scientist who did research on lightning for the space program.

I found it to be the most informative info I ever heard on a subject that is much discussed and little understood.

Your new and we are not trying to beat on you. Lightning is a terribly interesting subject. I know I’ve spent lots of time learning what I could. There are some basics that are somewhat predictable but otherwise it just seems to do what it wants to do.
The other thing to keep in mind is that lightning protection for the launching of rockets may not be able to be transferred to sailboats.
Anybody that has sailed around Central America sure respects lightning as it seems to treat some sailboats like horderves, especially catamarans. One evening we were having dinner at a waterside restaurant and we witnessed 3 boats being hit at anchor inside of 15 minutes. One with a wood mast was split top to bottom. You can take all the precautions and still be hit while others around you took none and we’re just fine.
Anyways welcome to the site, nice to have you

[robert sailor]

By the way I notice you have a steel boat, you’ll have no problems.

[Allied39]

LOL, dare I say consensus?
Pretty sure this is the first time I have seen it on this forum. Not even a troll!
Hard to believe.....or just early stage?
Oh, I concur by the way.

[Frankly]

Lightning protection (somewhat of a misnomer) is to protect the crew from being injured/ killed and the yacht from being holed. Other than these two very important considerations all else is just BS. The only nearly foolproof technique to prevent a strike is to hide under overhead electrical transmission lines (I once did this crossing the Okeecheobee WW during a really nasty Florida thunderstorm).


Frankly

[Talos]

Yes, Lightning is unpredictable and dangerous these storms can pop up quickly and catch you and your crew off guard. Talos Lightning Detectors were designed for marine, swimming pool and golf cart applications. They won't eliminate a possible strike to your vessel but will alert you and provide Situational Awareness if one is even 25 miles away. Call or email www.shoptalos.com to learn more and mention Cruisers Forum to receive 20% off. Our way to support and keep our boating Community Safe!

[slug]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

By the way I notice you have a steel boat, you’ll have no problems.

I’ve been sailing metal boats for decades

Many lightning strikes

Never catastrophic damage