Is it prudent to have a heavy duty jumper cable on board and in the threat of lightning strike, to attach one end of the jumper cable on the side shroud (would not think it would be long enough or easy to attach directly to the mast ? ) and then just throw the othe end of the jumper cable into the water. Please let me know if this is worthy of consideration. I have a H240, with what I assume is a non-metal conducting swing keel and boat generally not grounded to it anyway?? Thanks in advance for your help and advice. Daniel
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www.Strikeshield.com
The 240 does come with a lightning to ground system. There is metal in and around the keel board for the mechanical that is in direct contact with the water and the top of the mass. However it is advisable if you can get off the water that you do so in the event of a storm. I'm not real comfortable with any of this either. So stay low and away from any metal in your cabin if you so happen to get caught in a storm. I was sent a map from Strike Shield of lightning strikes across the country if you would like send me your email and I will forward it to you.
The 240 does come with a lightning to ground system. There is metal in and around the keel board for the mechanical that is in direct contact with the water and the top of the mass. However it is advisable if you can get off the water that you do so in the event of a storm. I'm not real comfortable with any of this either. So stay low and away from any metal in your cabin if you so happen to get caught in a storm. I was sent a map from Strike Shield of lightning strikes across the country if you would like send me your email and I will forward it to you.
Thanks Brad
Thanks for the info and the web site. Looks like a nice setup yet somewhat pricey. My email is DLL@ctri.medicine.wisc.edu Thanks again. Daniel
Thanks for the info and the web site. Looks like a nice setup yet somewhat pricey. My email is DLL@ctri.medicine.wisc.edu Thanks again. Daniel
wouldn't hurt
Most of the news I've heard on boats getting struck get considerable damage to the hull sides where the shrouds attach. A shroud is basically an electrical 'dead end' from a path of least resistance stance, but I guess that once it charges the mast, the potential is on the shrouds and its just a slow burn arcing skin effect process thru the hull in its attempt to make it to the water. The mast and mast step with wire to keel ground will take the most current of course but everything metal attached to the mast is at high risk. Putting jumper cables on the shrouds to the water will certainly help but you will likely need to do this at every shroud/fore/back stay location to be fully effective. Brian
Most of the news I've heard on boats getting struck get considerable damage to the hull sides where the shrouds attach. A shroud is basically an electrical 'dead end' from a path of least resistance stance, but I guess that once it charges the mast, the potential is on the shrouds and its just a slow burn arcing skin effect process thru the hull in its attempt to make it to the water. The mast and mast step with wire to keel ground will take the most current of course but everything metal attached to the mast is at high risk. Putting jumper cables on the shrouds to the water will certainly help but you will likely need to do this at every shroud/fore/back stay location to be fully effective. Brian
Conductor Attach Details
To add to what the other responders have said, one detail to consider is that the energy from a lightning hit flowing through a conductor doesn't like to make sharp turns. For this reason the jumper cable attachment is best if it is at a sweep-angle to the shrouds. This is probably not true on your boat if it's a trailerable but on most boats the tallest object on the mast is the VHF antenna or the wind sensors in which case the current will probably prefer to travel down the wires vice shrouds.
To add to what the other responders have said, one detail to consider is that the energy from a lightning hit flowing through a conductor doesn't like to make sharp turns. For this reason the jumper cable attachment is best if it is at a sweep-angle to the shrouds. This is probably not true on your boat if it's a trailerable but on most boats the tallest object on the mast is the VHF antenna or the wind sensors in which case the current will probably prefer to travel down the wires vice shrouds.
Grounding your boat
The purpose of grounding the boat is not to provide the path of least resistance for lightning, but to keep your boat at about the same potential (voltage) as the surrounding water. That way you are no more likely to be struck than anything else in the area. An ungrounded mast in a non-metallic boat can develop electrical potential during a thunderstorm that will increase the chance of the boat being struck by lightning. Still, if you can make it off the boat in time, by all means do so. Peter H23 "Raven"
The purpose of grounding the boat is not to provide the path of least resistance for lightning, but to keep your boat at about the same potential (voltage) as the surrounding water. That way you are no more likely to be struck than anything else in the area. An ungrounded mast in a non-metallic boat can develop electrical potential during a thunderstorm that will increase the chance of the boat being struck by lightning. Still, if you can make it off the boat in time, by all means do so. Peter H23 "Raven"
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