This past weekend we found ourselves stuck in a sudden thunderstorm. The south shore of lake ontario is hardly riddled with safe harbors, but the lightning got close enough that we headed for a beach. There were several strikes as we headed for shore that were much too close for comfort. So, I've been wondering. What would happen if the mast (I'm assuming it would be the mast) were struck by lightning. Would we have been goners? Or, were our fears exaggerated? Anyone have any ideas, or experience with this? Thanks.
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Check the archives...quick!!
There have been several discussions here in the past, including input from electrical engineers and sailors in Florida (where lightning is a way of life in the summer). If I recall correctly, there were also some tips on how to reduce your risk of getting struck. Good luck! Peter H23 "Raven"
There have been several discussions here in the past, including input from electrical engineers and sailors in Florida (where lightning is a way of life in the summer). If I recall correctly, there were also some tips on how to reduce your risk of getting struck. Good luck! Peter H23 "Raven"
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Frank
Both brothers survived
Both my brothers survived the lightening strike, although one was in the hospital for days and out from work for a few months. He had lots of burned muscle tissue from where the electricity entered and exited his body. The boat appeared to have only minor damage and was repaired in a week. Two weeks later the entire hull developed severe blisters while on the trailer, the insurance company declared the hull a total loss. The outboar and all the boat gear was not affected. I try to get to shore as soon as I can whenever there is lightning present, if you are offshore their is not a lot you can do about it.
Both my brothers survived the lightening strike, although one was in the hospital for days and out from work for a few months. He had lots of burned muscle tissue from where the electricity entered and exited his body. The boat appeared to have only minor damage and was repaired in a week. Two weeks later the entire hull developed severe blisters while on the trailer, the insurance company declared the hull a total loss. The outboar and all the boat gear was not affected. I try to get to shore as soon as I can whenever there is lightning present, if you are offshore their is not a lot you can do about it.
On lightning.
In the late '40s my dad and uncle had a 50-year-old wooden gaff yawl on which they were struck by lightning whilst at anchor. The bolt came down the stays and started humming like crazy in the rigging, for so long that they had time to stick their heads out the hatch into the rain and watch (but not grab a shroud! -yikes!) The bolt finally found the forestay and arced over to the anchor chain and sizzled into the water. I do not recall them reporting enough damage to remember-- they just sailed home when the storm let up. The thing to remember is that your boat is merely a conduit for lightning seeking earth. I have been advised that having a piece of cable or chain to shackle to a shroud turnbuckle and drop into the water at the hint of a boomer is a good way to go. -makes sense to me to give the lightning a short-cut (and bypassing the chainplates) but I have no experience with it. Speaking of turnbuckles, the big danger is that with all the charge wracking the rigging the weakest link is going to go. That means cotter-pins and roll-pins which if their loss is undetected it can prove catastrophic later. I have heard of whole clevis pins frying from too much electrical charge (my Dodge van did it in fact), which scares me when it comes to sailboat rigging. Also a (wet) rope anchor rode could very easily be shorted when the bolt arcs to it from the forestay, which could cast your boat adrift. I don't know if this helps. If it's going to get you it will. Try prayer (-?). JC II
In the late '40s my dad and uncle had a 50-year-old wooden gaff yawl on which they were struck by lightning whilst at anchor. The bolt came down the stays and started humming like crazy in the rigging, for so long that they had time to stick their heads out the hatch into the rain and watch (but not grab a shroud! -yikes!) The bolt finally found the forestay and arced over to the anchor chain and sizzled into the water. I do not recall them reporting enough damage to remember-- they just sailed home when the storm let up. The thing to remember is that your boat is merely a conduit for lightning seeking earth. I have been advised that having a piece of cable or chain to shackle to a shroud turnbuckle and drop into the water at the hint of a boomer is a good way to go. -makes sense to me to give the lightning a short-cut (and bypassing the chainplates) but I have no experience with it. Speaking of turnbuckles, the big danger is that with all the charge wracking the rigging the weakest link is going to go. That means cotter-pins and roll-pins which if their loss is undetected it can prove catastrophic later. I have heard of whole clevis pins frying from too much electrical charge (my Dodge van did it in fact), which scares me when it comes to sailboat rigging. Also a (wet) rope anchor rode could very easily be shorted when the bolt arcs to it from the forestay, which could cast your boat adrift. I don't know if this helps. If it's going to get you it will. Try prayer (-?). JC II
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Larry P.
Grounded Mast
During a lightning event the mast will provide protection for the crew. This is provided that the mast a a path to the water. The mast should be grounded to the keel in some fasion. I carry a set of heavy duty jumper cables. When lightning is threatening I attach them to the backstay. Hopefully this in conjuntion with the existing grounding cable to the keel will provide enough of a path to the water to protect the boat and crew. Don't touch any of the rigging during a storm of possible. If you have to make it quick (ie reefing etc.). The best solution is to aviod bad weather if possible.
During a lightning event the mast will provide protection for the crew. This is provided that the mast a a path to the water. The mast should be grounded to the keel in some fasion. I carry a set of heavy duty jumper cables. When lightning is threatening I attach them to the backstay. Hopefully this in conjuntion with the existing grounding cable to the keel will provide enough of a path to the water to protect the boat and crew. Don't touch any of the rigging during a storm of possible. If you have to make it quick (ie reefing etc.). The best solution is to aviod bad weather if possible.
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Andy Howard
heavy duty jumper cables
That's a great idea, Larry. While "Neverland's" mast is grounded the idea of providing a path outside of the boat directly to the water makes alot of sense.
That's a great idea, Larry. While "Neverland's" mast is grounded the idea of providing a path outside of the boat directly to the water makes alot of sense.
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Al Sandrik
Got caught in the St Mary's River Inlet about...
...three weeks ago. We think that we didn't take a direct hit, but as I was at the helm the whole time, I know we took several close hits. We think that static charge from the near hits built up on the rigging and exited the boat through the transducer (as it doesn't behave well these days, it works but can loose its way and needs to be turned on and off to get it back up and operational). It will be replaced on the next haul out. Mr. Cherubini is right about one thing, prayer helps cause I didn't stop from the moment it started until I dropped the hook off Cumberland Island (and remembered a few from my Catholic upbringing that I forgot about!). The storm also produced a tornado/ waterspout so this wasn't a storm to be taken lightly. Don't think this has helped anyone but I got that off my chest! One other thing, I spent the better part of 45 minutes considering this question (between prayers), who the heck had the great idea to put a metal (i.e., conductive) steering wheel on a boat!
...three weeks ago. We think that we didn't take a direct hit, but as I was at the helm the whole time, I know we took several close hits. We think that static charge from the near hits built up on the rigging and exited the boat through the transducer (as it doesn't behave well these days, it works but can loose its way and needs to be turned on and off to get it back up and operational). It will be replaced on the next haul out. Mr. Cherubini is right about one thing, prayer helps cause I didn't stop from the moment it started until I dropped the hook off Cumberland Island (and remembered a few from my Catholic upbringing that I forgot about!). The storm also produced a tornado/ waterspout so this wasn't a storm to be taken lightly. Don't think this has helped anyone but I got that off my chest! One other thing, I spent the better part of 45 minutes considering this question (between prayers), who the heck had the great idea to put a metal (i.e., conductive) steering wheel on a boat!
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Daniel
Did I understand correctly???
Is it prudent to have a heavy duty jumper cable on board and in the threat of lightening 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
Is it prudent to have a heavy duty jumper cable on board and in the threat of lightening 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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Jeff
Jumper cables
Attach them at the sidestays. The theory is good but who knows what works. Lots of theories out there but most articles I have read always seemed to suggest but not promise results. I always like to be next to a boat with a taller mast than mine. Probably more of a false sense of security but what the heck.
Attach them at the sidestays. The theory is good but who knows what works. Lots of theories out there but most articles I have read always seemed to suggest but not promise results. I always like to be next to a boat with a taller mast than mine. Probably more of a false sense of security but what the heck.
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