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crabcake · 06-01-2016, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKsailsolo

As much as I want to believe that there is a technology that definitively prevents strikes, this does not confirm or deny it.

Most Correct! Like its been said on other threads, whatever floats your boat

Can't hurt if you have some extra pocket change. Personally, I would do both, 8' copper lightning rod and squirrel tail.

I believe that NASA or the aerospace industry (maybe even Area 51) would have already come up with something if it could be done, because you know they must have tried. It has been a concern for launches for many years.

Doubtful we will see such a scheme or device in our lifetime.

LEOCAT66 · 06-01-2016, 16:14

Lost two music radios, one 12 volt and one 110, and one of three exterior LED running lights. All else was fine. Strike was close, but not direct. Very confusing, as I am quite electrically challenged.

quill · 06-01-2016, 17:01

yep, while acting as crew on a winter Gulf crossing 4 or 5 years ago.
Boat was a 56' Oyster with hydraulic furled jib and electric furled main. Neither worked after the strike. Nav instruments also down. Had a handheld GPS we used to get back to Texas. That was a dark and stormy night.

belizesailor · 06-01-2016, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by EwenT

Were you anchored in fresh or salt water?

Yes.

In Rio Dulce, Guatemala we can have both at the same time. Generally speaking it is a freshwater river, but we get salt water ingres depending upon rain fall. I dont recall the month this happened, but almost certainly in rainy season when we get most rain and lightening. If so there would have been little to no salt water.

The salt water ingress here comes in under the fresh. So, even in dry season, there is a layer of fresh water on top. The salt layer just gets thicker. More saltwater species migrate upstream and deeper dwelling freshwater species often die off in large numbers.

So, in rainy season the boat itself was likely entirely in freshwater.

EwenT · 08-01-2016, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabcake

I believe that NASA or the aerospace industry (maybe even Area 51) would have already come up with something if it could be done, because you know they must have tried. It has been a concern for launches for many years.

Yes indeed, NASA has come up with something. It looks like this:

See the full story at NASA - Lightning Protection for the Next Generation Spacecraft

However, it is a little impractical for boats. "The new system features large cables strung between three 594-foot-tall steel and fiberglass towers. Called a catenary wire system, it will dominate the launch area's skyline."

RKsailsolo · 09-01-2016, 06:30

The only possible NASA-like solution is to imagine protecting a harborage or series of docks by erecting a tower antenna that somehow is close enough in proximity to attract and divert an incoming static discharge to it vs an adjacent mast. If that type of design could be substantiated as effective, it could be a major feature that would make me favor mooring my boat in that area.

EwenT · 09-01-2016, 07:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKsailsolo

The only possible NASA-like solution is to imagine protecting a harborage or series of docks by erecting a tower antenna that somehow is close enough in proximity to attract and divert an incoming static discharge to it vs an adjacent mast. If that type of design could be substantiated as effective, it could be a major feature that would make me favor mooring my boat in that area.

You have a good point: it may not be impractical from a cost/benefit perspective if the yachts protected are tightly enough clustered and of sufficient aggregate value. The intended 100% protection in the NASA array arises from the catenary wires between towers. So multiple towers are called for.