I just bought a used sailboat and want to step my mast to check the rigging on the vessel. The boat is in my yard, am I risking a lightening strike when the warm weather arrives. If so, what can I do to prevent or ground my vessel? Responses greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark
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never heard of it
Looking at all the boat yards in the winter time, I have never heard of nor seen grounding a boat while on stands. My own boat is in the same category. You do want to make sure that your inside components are grounded and include the below the water thru-hulls. Good luck!
Looking at all the boat yards in the winter time, I have never heard of nor seen grounding a boat while on stands. My own boat is in the same category. You do want to make sure that your inside components are grounded and include the below the water thru-hulls. Good luck!
A Belt & Suspenders guy?
While a good lightning mitigation ground (bonding) system is certainly a good idea; I’ve never considered bonding my boat in the cradle. In the cradle, she’s ALMOST isolated from ground, so the potential for a ground strike is pretty low. I do disconnect & remove my portable electronics & batteries, and disconnect my built-in electronics. However: You could effectively ground your boat: ~ Install two (2) 3/4" x 10' Ground Rods, ten feet (10') apart from each other, and near the boat cradle. ~ Using #4 AWG minimum copper cable, bond the 2 Gnd. Rods together (series), continuing up to the mast or lightning ground plate (if so equipped). *** It just occurred to me that you may be on a metal cradle or jack stands (I’m in a wood cradle) - in which case maybe you should ground your standing mast. *** Regards, Gord
While a good lightning mitigation ground (bonding) system is certainly a good idea; I’ve never considered bonding my boat in the cradle. In the cradle, she’s ALMOST isolated from ground, so the potential for a ground strike is pretty low. I do disconnect & remove my portable electronics & batteries, and disconnect my built-in electronics. However: You could effectively ground your boat: ~ Install two (2) 3/4" x 10' Ground Rods, ten feet (10') apart from each other, and near the boat cradle. ~ Using #4 AWG minimum copper cable, bond the 2 Gnd. Rods together (series), continuing up to the mast or lightning ground plate (if so equipped). *** It just occurred to me that you may be on a metal cradle or jack stands (I’m in a wood cradle) - in which case maybe you should ground your standing mast. *** Regards, Gord
Belt and suspenders guy?
Thank you for your advice though I'm not sure what you mean by "A belt and suspenders guy", I am anal retentive and I work on Wall St.! Best regards, Mark Crociati
Thank you for your advice though I'm not sure what you mean by "A belt and suspenders guy", I am anal retentive and I work on Wall St.! Best regards, Mark Crociati
B & S Guys
What I meant was very cautious and prudent, desiring redundant (backup) systems - hence Belt AND Suspenders. Is being “Anal Retentive” analogous to being a “Constipated Ashsole”? Is working on Wall Street cold in winter & hot in summer; and wouldn’t you prefer an indoor job?
Gord
What I meant was very cautious and prudent, desiring redundant (backup) systems - hence Belt AND Suspenders. Is being “Anal Retentive” analogous to being a “Constipated Ashsole”? Is working on Wall Street cold in winter & hot in summer; and wouldn’t you prefer an indoor job?
Gord- Status