Lightning protection

[Mark]

I have read in the 260 manual (page 35) that there is a lightning protection zone within the height of the mast and thus the area that surrounds the yacht.If this were to be the case then surely the mast is grounded through the step post through to the water thus providing an escape path if lightning strikes??Often we leave the yacht moored and I have concidered hanging a length of chain or wire over the side and connected to the mast or shrouds. Any thoughts appreciated.RegardsMark

 

[David Foster]

Recent thread has links

The best protection assures direct connection of the mast to at least 1 square foot of copper directly exposed to the water, and bonding to metal through-hulls (including an inboard engine) to that ground. A metal keel can substitute for the square foot of copper. Then the question for your 260 is simple. Are these measures implemented or not?I have a wire I mount to the mast, and lead over the side where it exposes a square foor to the water in addition to a wire from mast to our lead keel.Check the archives where a recent thread on this subject included two links to auhtoritative sites describing the whole issue. DavidLady Lillie

 

[Chuck]

Cone of protection

Draw a cone from the top of the mast coming out 45 degrees in all directions. That is the protected zone. As far as being sure the mast is grounded, I wouldn't use chain since it has all those contact points that could spark and weld to whatever they are touching. Multi-stranded cable is more flexible, but more expensive. Fewer strands equates to lower cost and stiffer cable. For a temporary hookup, you could use jumper cables with both wires attached to the mast and the other ends in the water. Get the heaviest cables you can find.

 

[Harvey Small]

Simple system

Just make sure that there's a boat nearby with a substantially taller mast than yours. We're three or four slips down from a really impressive large sailboat.BTW contrary to the old saying, lightening really does strike the same place twice, at least when the mast was replaced. First time burned out all the wiring and fried all the electronics. Second strike also burned some of the belowdecks teak. And everything was supposed to have been properly bonded that time!s/v Waiting for the Sun

 

[Jeff Peltier]

conection to the water

As far as the mast having a direct connection to the water, the compression post is connected to the SS centerboard pivot plate (which is in the water) with a 3/4" bolt. This plate doesn't have a big surface area, so the protection would probably be considered marginal, but better than nothing.Jeff Peltier