The mast on my newly aquired 1974 oday 22 is not grounded in any way - the owners manual says that it should/must be grounded somehow incase of a lightning strike - I would like to know if anyone has any evidence of this aftermarket improvement being done on their boat. Maybe someone has done the work and can guide me in doing mine. thanks, Algae
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Tom Ehmke
Al, I'm curious about your address
I can't offer any advice about installing grounding protection as the system was in place when I bought my 272 in '95. Are you by any chance a resident of Drummond Island on Lake Huron? I've been helping a teaching collegue build a cottage on the island for the past 7 years. I've sailed up there twice during the summer from Lake Erie. If you are indeed an islander, where do you dock the boat? Tom Ehmke
I can't offer any advice about installing grounding protection as the system was in place when I bought my 272 in '95. Are you by any chance a resident of Drummond Island on Lake Huron? I've been helping a teaching collegue build a cottage on the island for the past 7 years. I've sailed up there twice during the summer from Lake Erie. If you are indeed an islander, where do you dock the boat? Tom Ehmke
A
al gillberg
Drummond, Wisconsin
Tom, I am sorry I do not live on Drummond Island, and have been asked that many times - I guess that I need to be more clear about the exact location. Drummond WI is about 30 miles south of Ashland WI. (this is off of Lake Superior) Maybe someday I will live on an island in one of the Great Lakes Algae
Tom, I am sorry I do not live on Drummond Island, and have been asked that many times - I guess that I need to be more clear about the exact location. Drummond WI is about 30 miles south of Ashland WI. (this is off of Lake Superior) Maybe someday I will live on an island in one of the Great Lakes Algae
A
Alan Gruber
Jumper cables?
I asked an experienced Lake sailor this very question I own a 78, 22' and I'm in a t-storm area. He said get a good long pair of jumper cables, clip one end onto a chainplate, the other dangle in the water! Maybe this is sufficient when lightening is around.
I asked an experienced Lake sailor this very question I own a 78, 22' and I'm in a t-storm area. He said get a good long pair of jumper cables, clip one end onto a chainplate, the other dangle in the water! Maybe this is sufficient when lightening is around.
P
Paul Mieszczenski
A length of chain
Al, On our O'25 I shackled 3 feet of 5/16" chain to the backstay and let it drag along behind. I slipped a piece of 1-1/2" sanitation hose over it to protect the transom from getting scratched. I was lucky enough not to find out if it worked, but in theory it does provide a way for the electricity to get off the boat. Hope this helps,PM
Al, On our O'25 I shackled 3 feet of 5/16" chain to the backstay and let it drag along behind. I slipped a piece of 1-1/2" sanitation hose over it to protect the transom from getting scratched. I was lucky enough not to find out if it worked, but in theory it does provide a way for the electricity to get off the boat. Hope this helps,PM
T
Tom Ehmke
If you really want protection, check out below
Al, I went into the forum archives to look for information on lightning protection because I recall taking part in an earlier thread regarding lightning and the bonding system on a sailboat. There is a lot of information in the archives to look at, but I would suggest the following thread to start. "lightning disipator and Don Casey". There are two replies which stand out. One is from Frank Walker who is an electrical engineer and describes a COMPLETE system for the sailor who is serious about installing or upgrading a grounding or bonding system. The other is from Phil Teter and lists a link which gives excellent information on lightning protection. Go to Forum Archives on the Web Page, click, and type in the thread descriptor I gave you. Enjoy the hunt, there is tons of information about lightning. Tom
Al, I went into the forum archives to look for information on lightning protection because I recall taking part in an earlier thread regarding lightning and the bonding system on a sailboat. There is a lot of information in the archives to look at, but I would suggest the following thread to start. "lightning disipator and Don Casey". There are two replies which stand out. One is from Frank Walker who is an electrical engineer and describes a COMPLETE system for the sailor who is serious about installing or upgrading a grounding or bonding system. The other is from Phil Teter and lists a link which gives excellent information on lightning protection. Go to Forum Archives on the Web Page, click, and type in the thread descriptor I gave you. Enjoy the hunt, there is tons of information about lightning. Tom
W
Warren
Lighting Protection
I think the jumper cables sound like a workable idea. However, would it be better to attach one to the base of the mast? I would fear that a lighting strike grounded via the "mast stays", would infact burn through the stays(?) I would welcome comments from those that really know.
I think the jumper cables sound like a workable idea. However, would it be better to attach one to the base of the mast? I would fear that a lighting strike grounded via the "mast stays", would infact burn through the stays(?) I would welcome comments from those that really know.
J
Josh
My idea...
I've been thinking on this as well, especially because recent weather activity has called for many t-storms. My idea is similar to the jumper cable idea, but more of a permanent fix. My idea is to take a length of grounding cable; any heavy gauge stranded cable should do, and affix it to the mast. I'm going to give myself enough length to get it over the side of the boat. If and when it gets stormy out, my thought was that I could just pitch it over the side. When it's not, have it coiled up and affixed to the mast. I also thought that maybe I'd make it somewhat permanent but used in a similar fashion. I am thinking I will get a long copper-grounding bolt, about an inch and a half to use as a stud. Put this through the wall of the mast from the inside and fix it in place with a lock washer and nut. Then, when I need the 'grounding strap' when a storm rolls in, I can pull it out and bolt it down to the stud I just installed. I would think this would be the best solution, as you don't have to worry about jumper cables falling off or whatnot. I've even thought about running a cable up the mast internally and affixing something like a lightning rod to the top. Anal-retentive? Maybe, until it saves my ass as well as my electrical system and boat! Josh
I've been thinking on this as well, especially because recent weather activity has called for many t-storms. My idea is similar to the jumper cable idea, but more of a permanent fix. My idea is to take a length of grounding cable; any heavy gauge stranded cable should do, and affix it to the mast. I'm going to give myself enough length to get it over the side of the boat. If and when it gets stormy out, my thought was that I could just pitch it over the side. When it's not, have it coiled up and affixed to the mast. I also thought that maybe I'd make it somewhat permanent but used in a similar fashion. I am thinking I will get a long copper-grounding bolt, about an inch and a half to use as a stud. Put this through the wall of the mast from the inside and fix it in place with a lock washer and nut. Then, when I need the 'grounding strap' when a storm rolls in, I can pull it out and bolt it down to the stud I just installed. I would think this would be the best solution, as you don't have to worry about jumper cables falling off or whatnot. I've even thought about running a cable up the mast internally and affixing something like a lightning rod to the top. Anal-retentive? Maybe, until it saves my ass as well as my electrical system and boat! Josh
- Status
- Not open for further replies.