I'm waiting for my H240 to arrive and I got to thinking (having read this month's USPS magazine) about lightening protection for the H240. Has anyone installed a lightening protection system on a H240?
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Ken Shubert
Pro & Cons
If you check the archives, we pretty well beat the subject to death last year but this is a new season. Those SS brush affairs are very expensive for what they are and there's no absolute proof that they really help. What really worries me most about my H23.5 is the lack of a keel or any other metallic contact with the water. The tiller, stantions, motor, etc.... are not bonded together like a real ocean going sailboat either. I've been through some thunderstorms at anchor and that lightning really looks nasty. The best lightning protection would be to step the mast which is not totally beyond reason. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
If you check the archives, we pretty well beat the subject to death last year but this is a new season. Those SS brush affairs are very expensive for what they are and there's no absolute proof that they really help. What really worries me most about my H23.5 is the lack of a keel or any other metallic contact with the water. The tiller, stantions, motor, etc.... are not bonded together like a real ocean going sailboat either. I've been through some thunderstorms at anchor and that lightning really looks nasty. The best lightning protection would be to step the mast which is not totally beyond reason. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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ERIC
Cheap, Cheaper and Cheapest
A simple method is to bond the stanchions, winches and mast with copper wire, largest diameter you can afford. If really rich you can get the fancy braided copper cabling. Then attach a set of high quality jumper cables to a side stay and place the other end in the water when a storm kicks up. Even simpler is to attach to shrouds and toss over when lighting shows up. Who knows if it works but it may be worth the cost of a set of jumper cables to ease your mind. I've never seen any guarantees for any system. I always try and get next to a boat with a taller mast.
A simple method is to bond the stanchions, winches and mast with copper wire, largest diameter you can afford. If really rich you can get the fancy braided copper cabling. Then attach a set of high quality jumper cables to a side stay and place the other end in the water when a storm kicks up. Even simpler is to attach to shrouds and toss over when lighting shows up. Who knows if it works but it may be worth the cost of a set of jumper cables to ease your mind. I've never seen any guarantees for any system. I always try and get next to a boat with a taller mast.
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Greg Stebbins
Duck tape a 2 iron to the top of your mast..
With apologies to Lee Trevino, Not even God can hit a 2 iron.
With apologies to Lee Trevino, Not even God can hit a 2 iron.
So Eric, I guess that was you ....
...trying to squeeze in next to me during that really bad thunderstorm last summer! All joking aside though, I have heard that jumper cable tip from several sailors here in Florida. The lightning here ranks among some of the worst in the world. Peter S/V Raven
...trying to squeeze in next to me during that really bad thunderstorm last summer! All joking aside though, I have heard that jumper cable tip from several sailors here in Florida. The lightning here ranks among some of the worst in the world. Peter S/V Raven
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Philip Teter
NFPA 70 National Electrical Code
Lightning protection for a sail boat is covered in the National Electrical Code. I would hope Hunter is following those requirements. The best time to connect chime plates to the keel is when the hull is being made. My 84 Hunter 20 checks out as being connected. If it wasn't during construction someone did a hell of a job hiding the conductors. Phil Force 1
Lightning protection for a sail boat is covered in the National Electrical Code. I would hope Hunter is following those requirements. The best time to connect chime plates to the keel is when the hull is being made. My 84 Hunter 20 checks out as being connected. If it wasn't during construction someone did a hell of a job hiding the conductors. Phil Force 1
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Dave Condon
STRIKE
If any boat took a direct hit, nothing will dsaapate it other than blowing a hole in the hull. Most of the time is static electricity that needs to be conducted away. The 240 mast sits on a compression post which rests on a metal plate that is screwed together holding the centerboard, thus static electricity is cconducted overboard. Crazy Dave
If any boat took a direct hit, nothing will dsaapate it other than blowing a hole in the hull. Most of the time is static electricity that needs to be conducted away. The 240 mast sits on a compression post which rests on a metal plate that is screwed together holding the centerboard, thus static electricity is cconducted overboard. Crazy Dave
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