Lightening struck

kloudie1 · May 23, 2012

Before ya pitch the electronics, check for internal fuses .. replace and test.. A couple of mine were resurrected by replacing the internal fuse.. Open the switch panel and look at the breakers and wiring.. My nav light circuit breaker case was kinda blown apart .. breaker was still working but I suspect it was not calibrated any more.. Look carefully at the wiring on DC ground side and on the AC ground and neutral. I found some fried insulation.. nothing shorted at that time, but would have in time. I was plugged into shore power and there was evidence that lots of juice had traveled through the AC green wire.. Reverse polarity bulb was blown as was my stern light bulb.. My air conditioner fan speed control got locked on high speed . (blown thyristor)

Alternator and starter were fine .. Next time you are swimming , check the paint on the keel. I had some loose areas of paint/barrier coat where I suspect the lightning had left the area and heated water that may have been in the paint..
Battery charger was fine but it was an old "ferro-resonant" one .. I suspect the Xantrex I have now would have fried.
All in all my strike was relatively minor .. I think the AC control repair and new VHF and antenna came to about $400 .. but I did all the work myself.. Hope yours is fairly benign too
Inspect the shroud and stay terminals carefully.. send someone up.. who knows what to look for.

robertsapp · May 23, 2012

Ouch. Well your boat is still floating, which is good news. An acquaintance of ours had his depth transducer blown out by a lighting strike and his boat sank at the pier. As Claude said, you basically want to go over your entire electrical system, including your alternator and batteries. A lightning strike can do all kinds of random and weird stuff, like frying the alarm horn on your engine control panel. Check everything. Take a look in all your lockers and enclosed spaces as well, just to make sure you didn't get a side flash that blew a small hole somewhere.

Don S/V ILLusion · May 23, 2012

It is impossible to enumerate all the possibilities and if we try, inevitably some will be omitted. The potential for insidious and hidden damage is far to great.

Insist your underwriter pay for a haul and complete and thorough inspection of all structural, mechanical and electrical components. Nothing less will suffice.

Don12364 · May 23, 2012

In addition to all you already know, there have been incidences of many small holes pierced through the hull on, or near to the waterline.
It seems the flash came down the mast and, once inside the hull, made its exit in many places.
All easily repairable so long as they are spotted in time.

MrEd · May 25, 2012

Based on my own experience last year, I would suggest taking a good look at the integrity of the standing rigging and lifelines. Also, check for damage to the gel coat near, both above and below, the water line. Count yourself lucky. The chances are that a smaller boat, less decked out in expensive electronics and powered gear, is going to be pretty inexpensive to make right.

Dan Johnson · May 31, 2012

Years ago I had lightning strike a brand new H240 set up on its trailer at a boat ramp for its first launch. It severed the forestay wire about 18" down from the mast head, causing the mast to be dropped back into the crutch, putting a "hunting bow" bend in it. One side's shroud looked like it had been chewed on by a "Terminator Bot". There were pit marks in the cabin top gel coat on that side and a couple on the hull. Mast wiring was fried, anchor and steaming lightbulbs burst, VHF toasted.

Insist on a survey of all rigging in addition to the electrical issues as there may be damage where you least expect it.

Scubagirl62 · Jun 1, 2012

I feel for you. We thought we were going to be nailed by lightening too. We caught a break this time. Should have had our heads examined for launching on a night like this but... So anxious to get the season underway. Good luck to you.