lighting

[Steve]

I just bought a Oday22 and we're new to sailing. I want to know what to do about lighting strikes to the boat. We will be sailing in the Ms. sound and electrical storms come up quickly during the summer. Thanks

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Two theories

1. If you ground the mast with heavy wire to the keel, the lightning will go right through the boat and sink it.2. If you don't ground the mast, the boat could explode.These could be old wives' tales, but the good news is that a taller mast is likely to get hit first. In short, make for shore pronto.

 

[Steve O.]

I don't buy it...

The "taller mast" theory, that is. The boat that is going to get hit is the boat that is giving off the most attractive ions. That could be the boat with the tallest mast, or could be the shortest. Or it could be the power boat, or the power transformer nearby. Lightning will jump, and if several boats are connected to shore power, they can all be damaged. So it doesn't have to be a direct hit, but most people assume it was because they sustained damaged. Truth is, very little is known about lightning strikes, and almost anything can happen. Count on losing your electonics for sure. Another common result is lots of little pin-holes just above the water line. Or it can blow out a through-hull. There is no sure way to avoid it, but prepare for the after-effects by having wooden safety plugs near every thru-hull.

 

[Tom]

"Ground mast will enable lightening to sink it "?!

"don't ground the mast, the boat could explode." Thats NUTS. Before too many unfounded theories start running around go to the website linked below for a fairly thorough study of lightning, boats and ways to minimize injuries and damage.

 

[Jose Venegas]

Thank you for the link, Tom

Very important information. Worth downloading and watching the movie from that link