I'm looking at purchasing a used sailboat and have found out that it was struck by lightning a couple of years ago. The bolt hit the boat next to it and then jumped onto this boat and fried the electronics. The boat was rewired, electronics replaced and checked out. It's been in use since the incident. I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on what damage may occur from such a strike and where. Is it risky purchasing a boat that has this past?
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Slight Risk
The risk should be slight. The electronics have been replaced and should not be a problem unless part of them was not replaced and there is a hidden problem. The other likely damage is to the hull. It is likely that the lightning was conducted to a location close to ground (the water) and then the lightning blew a hole in the fiberglass. Check the hull closely, especially close to places where the lightning may have been conducted to where it could jump from conductor to the water. For example, look just below the chain plates. The other possible area is damage to the standing rigging. In general the lightning will travel down the standing rigging or mast. The current is extremely large, but the duration is small. The chances of the rigging heating up sufficiently to cause damage are slight, but possible.
The risk should be slight. The electronics have been replaced and should not be a problem unless part of them was not replaced and there is a hidden problem. The other likely damage is to the hull. It is likely that the lightning was conducted to a location close to ground (the water) and then the lightning blew a hole in the fiberglass. Check the hull closely, especially close to places where the lightning may have been conducted to where it could jump from conductor to the water. For example, look just below the chain plates. The other possible area is damage to the standing rigging. In general the lightning will travel down the standing rigging or mast. The current is extremely large, but the duration is small. The chances of the rigging heating up sufficiently to cause damage are slight, but possible.
Check hull and rigging
I would closely check the hull for signs of repair. The lightning bolt usually tries to exit through the hull, leaving a hole. You should inquire and inspect. Also the standing rigging could have been fried. You should check this out as well and ask questions. If all looks good, and you feel this boat is right for you, then go forward. If not, go onto the next. Regards, Ted
I would closely check the hull for signs of repair. The lightning bolt usually tries to exit through the hull, leaving a hole. You should inquire and inspect. Also the standing rigging could have been fried. You should check this out as well and ask questions. If all looks good, and you feel this boat is right for you, then go forward. If not, go onto the next. Regards, Ted
Been there, done that...burnt the T-shirt
I was at the helm of a friend's boat when it was struck. Insurance co. paid for a survey. The only damage was to the electronics, masthead wind sensor, vhf antenna and a couple of scorched spots on the deck from falling molten metal. The main point is that if you have the need to ask this question (not intended in any way as a put-down, if you don't know the answer, you are wise indeed to ask), never buy a boat without a competent survey. Even the most experienced DIY owner will consider/debate getting one. Two sets of eyes are better than one and the cost is small in relation to the investment you are about to make. Advise the surveyor of the strike so that they can be on the lookout for any problems. Best wishes,
I was at the helm of a friend's boat when it was struck. Insurance co. paid for a survey. The only damage was to the electronics, masthead wind sensor, vhf antenna and a couple of scorched spots on the deck from falling molten metal. The main point is that if you have the need to ask this question (not intended in any way as a put-down, if you don't know the answer, you are wise indeed to ask), never buy a boat without a competent survey. Even the most experienced DIY owner will consider/debate getting one. Two sets of eyes are better than one and the cost is small in relation to the investment you are about to make. Advise the surveyor of the strike so that they can be on the lookout for any problems. Best wishes,
Through Hulls and keel Bolts
Check these lightning needs and exit to the water......and these may be damaged.
Check these lightning needs and exit to the water......and these may be damaged.
My boat was hit
Last Aug. my Oday 272 was hit by lightning. The insurance Co. totalled it out and a boat repair shop purchased the boat. I talked to them and found out the hull was extensively damaged. We found two exit holes through the hull but when they removed the bottom paint, they found 32 small spider like cracks in the fiberglass. these had to be ground out and repaired. I agree with the other people, get a survey and check under the bootom paint.
Last Aug. my Oday 272 was hit by lightning. The insurance Co. totalled it out and a boat repair shop purchased the boat. I talked to them and found out the hull was extensively damaged. We found two exit holes through the hull but when they removed the bottom paint, they found 32 small spider like cracks in the fiberglass. these had to be ground out and repaired. I agree with the other people, get a survey and check under the bootom paint.
RIght On the Money!
Everything that has been said on this is right on. No offense to the seller, but can it be documented that the other boat took the hit and not this one. Just about all damage to the hull is done below the water line. A little filler and a coat of paint can hide a lot of problems. A good question would be if there was an insurance or any other type of survey done on the boat after the damage, if so, get it up. Last year in July, a boat 4 slips down from mine took a hit and almost shot the bottom out of it (totaled). I had 2000.00 in electronic damages to mine and the bolt never got close to me. Close attention to what's under the bottom paint is going to be very important to you. Buyer beware!! Good Luck!
Everything that has been said on this is right on. No offense to the seller, but can it be documented that the other boat took the hit and not this one. Just about all damage to the hull is done below the water line. A little filler and a coat of paint can hide a lot of problems. A good question would be if there was an insurance or any other type of survey done on the boat after the damage, if so, get it up. Last year in July, a boat 4 slips down from mine took a hit and almost shot the bottom out of it (totaled). I had 2000.00 in electronic damages to mine and the bolt never got close to me. Close attention to what's under the bottom paint is going to be very important to you. Buyer beware!! Good Luck!
compass
Everybody has brought up great points but I know the compass will usually be shot, I'm sure it has been replaced. Now that it has been replaced get a good deviation card made for the compass to make sure there aren't things that have become magnetized that you didn't want to become a magnet. While I was in the Army I was a gunner on a helo and while my aircraft was on the ground she was hit by lightning. The guns all became slightly magnetized. I'm guessing that if it could happen to an aircraft it could happen to a boat. Hopefully you don't have fixed mount machine guns on your boat........ Just a different point to worry about
Besides, down here in SW Fla. we don't worry about "if" our boat gets hit by lightning but rather "when" it will get hit.
Everybody has brought up great points but I know the compass will usually be shot, I'm sure it has been replaced. Now that it has been replaced get a good deviation card made for the compass to make sure there aren't things that have become magnetized that you didn't want to become a magnet. While I was in the Army I was a gunner on a helo and while my aircraft was on the ground she was hit by lightning. The guns all became slightly magnetized. I'm guessing that if it could happen to an aircraft it could happen to a boat. Hopefully you don't have fixed mount machine guns on your boat........ Just a different point to worry about
Besides, down here in SW Fla. we don't worry about "if" our boat gets hit by lightning but rather "when" it will get hit.- Status