Last Friday we had quite an electrical storm here and Dreamer took a direct hit (see close-up pic of the masthead antenna). So . . . I've been doing some re-reading of everthing I have on lightning protection systems. I have what may seem like a silly question, but since I don't know the answer, it's not really silly to me. Is the keel on the 37c just a hunk of lead bolted to the bottom of the boat with bottom paint over it or is it encapsulated in fiberglass? I'm thinking it must not have fiberglass over it because I didn't sustain much damage. All I lost was the antenna, the VHF it was attached to, 3 out of six Alpenglow florescent lights and my cell phone charger that was plugged into a 12 volt plug. Any advice on lightning protection appreciated. Thanks, Morrie
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Lightining Doesn't Strike Twice, Right?
Especially in Hawaii. As infrequent as lightning is there why worry about it? You just crossed the wrong menehune that day. Most foks here in Florida do nothing except pay their insurance premium and this is the lightning capital of the (populated) world. Aloha
Especially in Hawaii. As infrequent as lightning is there why worry about it? You just crossed the wrong menehune that day. Most foks here in Florida do nothing except pay their insurance premium and this is the lightning capital of the (populated) world. Aloha
Call the insurance conpany
Morrie, did you call you insurance company and report the lighting strike? Since you definately had a "hit" you may want to pull boat and inspect hull bottom and keel.You may want to get a survey to inspect the hull, structure,and rigging for any other possible damage.Sometimes lighting damage is not readly seen or apparant.I recently saw a boat that was hit by lighting and the hull had spider cracks all over it. TOTALED the one year one boat!The keel does not have "fiberglass" over it but it is coated with a fairing compound and may or may not be coated with a epoxy coating depending on what you or a previous owner may have done.Hopefully for you the damage is restriced to what you have noted but I think I would want a full and detailed report to restore my confidence. As far as lighting protection,ever one has there thoughts but mine is to do nothing and hope for the best(like Rick said keep the insurance paid up)IMO the bottom line is a direct hit is going to damage the boat no matter what you have for "protection" and the odds are very very high against getting hit in the first place,even thougth your did.(you may want to buy a lottery ticket,with you lucky streak)Good Luck,sorry to hear about you troubles!
Morrie, did you call you insurance company and report the lighting strike? Since you definately had a "hit" you may want to pull boat and inspect hull bottom and keel.You may want to get a survey to inspect the hull, structure,and rigging for any other possible damage.Sometimes lighting damage is not readly seen or apparant.I recently saw a boat that was hit by lighting and the hull had spider cracks all over it. TOTALED the one year one boat!The keel does not have "fiberglass" over it but it is coated with a fairing compound and may or may not be coated with a epoxy coating depending on what you or a previous owner may have done.Hopefully for you the damage is restriced to what you have noted but I think I would want a full and detailed report to restore my confidence. As far as lighting protection,ever one has there thoughts but mine is to do nothing and hope for the best(like Rick said keep the insurance paid up)IMO the bottom line is a direct hit is going to damage the boat no matter what you have for "protection" and the odds are very very high against getting hit in the first place,even thougth your did.(you may want to buy a lottery ticket,with you lucky streak)Good Luck,sorry to hear about you troubles!
Ground, ground,ground
Morrie, that piece of lead that you lug around all the time is the best connection you will get to the ocean. Even with multiple coats of paint a voltage gradient high enough to jump several thousand feet easily will arc through the paint films. The issue is to provide a good electrical path from the mast to the keel. You want the current path to be controlled not out the side through the fiberglass. If this is done properly then the boat will be protected. Protecting the electronics from inductive pickup caused by a direct or nearby strike is a much more difficult(nearly impossible) process. I don't know how much other electronics you had aboard but if all you lost was the VHF and a battery charger consider yourself lucky.
Morrie, that piece of lead that you lug around all the time is the best connection you will get to the ocean. Even with multiple coats of paint a voltage gradient high enough to jump several thousand feet easily will arc through the paint films. The issue is to provide a good electrical path from the mast to the keel. You want the current path to be controlled not out the side through the fiberglass. If this is done properly then the boat will be protected. Protecting the electronics from inductive pickup caused by a direct or nearby strike is a much more difficult(nearly impossible) process. I don't know how much other electronics you had aboard but if all you lost was the VHF and a battery charger consider yourself lucky.
I'm for grounding
I agree with Frank that a grounded mast is the best protection. While it is not 100% protection against a direct strike at least the damage can be minimized, and since it is easy to install on our boats, just a #4 or heavier cable from the mast to a keel bolt, it makes little sense to go without. See the link below for more info on grounding and what can happen if you get a REAL direct hit. Good luck
I agree with Frank that a grounded mast is the best protection. While it is not 100% protection against a direct strike at least the damage can be minimized, and since it is easy to install on our boats, just a #4 or heavier cable from the mast to a keel bolt, it makes little sense to go without. See the link below for more info on grounding and what can happen if you get a REAL direct hit. Good luck
Other problems showing up later
I agree with the others in reporting the strike to you insurance agent ASAP. There could be problems related to the strike that show up until later such as alternator, radio, appliances, etc., that will work now, but under load in the future will fail. I would have it hauled and surveyed for your protection. A boat in our marina took a direct hit and the survey showed damage that did not appear upon initial inspection. Good luck....
I agree with the others in reporting the strike to you insurance agent ASAP. There could be problems related to the strike that show up until later such as alternator, radio, appliances, etc., that will work now, but under load in the future will fail. I would have it hauled and surveyed for your protection. A boat in our marina took a direct hit and the survey showed damage that did not appear upon initial inspection. Good luck....
Keel-stepped.
That was lucky Morrie, another advantage of the keel-stepped mast. That mast is a direct short to the keel and out. As you now know the keel is just lead bolted to the hull. Good advice from the others, check with insurance and have them pay for a haulout and survey. Heard a much worse lightning story recently. It destroyed everything electrical, put holes in the fiberglass, and traveled out the shorepower into the marina office. In the marina office it melted six telephones! Now that is a lighting strike.
That was lucky Morrie, another advantage of the keel-stepped mast. That mast is a direct short to the keel and out. As you now know the keel is just lead bolted to the hull. Good advice from the others, check with insurance and have them pay for a haulout and survey. Heard a much worse lightning story recently. It destroyed everything electrical, put holes in the fiberglass, and traveled out the shorepower into the marina office. In the marina office it melted six telephones! Now that is a lighting strike.
Lighting hit or near hit
Sounds like luck was on your side..Glad it was... looks like it was a near strike, We had a fiberglass antenna near hit, ashore years ago, and there was MUCH less left of it than yours...You have gotten good advise, IMHO, detailed look around, check EACH and EVERY electrical device and plug...All curcits, etc...Do a detailed locker by locker inspection, of all hidden spaces, and take a good close look at your chain plates....A haulout, might not be a bad plan either... Keeping the insurance paid up isn't a bad plan either..Document ...Document...Document..And take pictures of everything for your insurance company... Glad the damage sounds minimal..and that no one is hurt..Best of luck.. 73 Ed SV MYST
Sounds like luck was on your side..Glad it was... looks like it was a near strike, We had a fiberglass antenna near hit, ashore years ago, and there was MUCH less left of it than yours...You have gotten good advise, IMHO, detailed look around, check EACH and EVERY electrical device and plug...All curcits, etc...Do a detailed locker by locker inspection, of all hidden spaces, and take a good close look at your chain plates....A haulout, might not be a bad plan either... Keeping the insurance paid up isn't a bad plan either..Document ...Document...Document..And take pictures of everything for your insurance company... Glad the damage sounds minimal..and that no one is hurt..Best of luck.. 73 Ed SV MYST
some good news
well at least the birds will think twice about trying to perch on top of your mast and crap on your deck.... maybe we should make all antenna look like that, then we would have to clean the deck less often.......FWIW..( hey guys my design rights here don't but in)
well at least the birds will think twice about trying to perch on top of your mast and crap on your deck.... maybe we should make all antenna look like that, then we would have to clean the deck less often.......FWIW..( hey guys my design rights here don't but in)
Morrie and others
isn't the mast step on the 37C anchored by two of the keel bolts? If so, is there anything more to be done for grounding? Morrie, what does the mast step area look like, post strike? Scott
isn't the mast step on the 37C anchored by two of the keel bolts? If so, is there anything more to be done for grounding? Morrie, what does the mast step area look like, post strike? Scott
Mine too
Morrie, My 36 was hit in August in MS. The strike blew the VHF antenna away. I now beleve the strike got to my inverter/charger and went through the shore cord to the marina ground. My insurance is Progressive. they did right by me. They had me get an marine electrical company to check out all of my electronics. My auto-pilot brain died, as did the transmit side of my radio, and.... I live remote from my boat. I did travel down and the insurance company paid to have the boat hauled to inspect the bottom. Then in November they paid to have it hauled and the mast removed so the coax cable could be replaced. My 36 mast is deck stepped but has the same x-section as your 37C. The coax and electrical is tied every 2 or 3 feet up the small chase behind the sail track. Can't get the track off with the mast on. While the mast was off I elected to change out my 22-yr old electrical wiring. Have everything checked! If the coax looses any of it's capacity then the db's of your transmit signal will go way down.
Not that I am sure it will help, but I have a battery jumper cable attached to a shroud and overboard into the water as a potential deflector path.
Morrie, My 36 was hit in August in MS. The strike blew the VHF antenna away. I now beleve the strike got to my inverter/charger and went through the shore cord to the marina ground. My insurance is Progressive. they did right by me. They had me get an marine electrical company to check out all of my electronics. My auto-pilot brain died, as did the transmit side of my radio, and.... I live remote from my boat. I did travel down and the insurance company paid to have the boat hauled to inspect the bottom. Then in November they paid to have it hauled and the mast removed so the coax cable could be replaced. My 36 mast is deck stepped but has the same x-section as your 37C. The coax and electrical is tied every 2 or 3 feet up the small chase behind the sail track. Can't get the track off with the mast on. While the mast was off I elected to change out my 22-yr old electrical wiring. Have everything checked! If the coax looses any of it's capacity then the db's of your transmit signal will go way down.
Not that I am sure it will help, but I have a battery jumper cable attached to a shroud and overboard into the water as a potential deflector path.H37C Hit in FL
The Dock Master say my '80 37C take a direct hit. He said that the VHF antenna at the top of the mast glowed red and fell off. I found what was left of it and the windex laying on the dock. The radios, battery charger and TV were fired. That was it. Had the boat pulled and checked over an there was no other damage. I think the keel stepped mast saved the day (could have also attracted the strike because it was grounded better.. but was also the tallest mast on the dock). Have it checked and pay the insurance. Makai also was on a dock hit by a tornado on a lake in GA and received no damage. Guess only thing left is Pirates Jerry sv/Makai
The Dock Master say my '80 37C take a direct hit. He said that the VHF antenna at the top of the mast glowed red and fell off. I found what was left of it and the windex laying on the dock. The radios, battery charger and TV were fired. That was it. Had the boat pulled and checked over an there was no other damage. I think the keel stepped mast saved the day (could have also attracted the strike because it was grounded better.. but was also the tallest mast on the dock). Have it checked and pay the insurance. Makai also was on a dock hit by a tornado on a lake in GA and received no damage. Guess only thing left is Pirates Jerry sv/Makai
ALSO HIT BY LIGHTNING IN FLORIDA
We were crossing back from the Bahamas in August of 2003. We had lost our engine on the trip over 1/2 way to Green Turtle, but had no problems sailing on over or back. Beat to windward most of the way over in light to moderate winds. Can't say enough good things about the 37c. 15 miles West of West End just after dark and having a thunder storm pass over. Just as the rail slacked a little Lightning hit the mast. I Was at the wheel holding onto it. Felt nothing. Could not see the mast head for the bimini. Pete was in the companionway and got a good view of the antena vaporizing. I did see a large puff os smoke drifting off as I poked my head out from under the bimini. The remains of the antena just floated down like fire work left overs. There was nothing left except the antena wire sticking out of the mast. My son was below on the starboard seat. Said it was the loudest thing he ever heard. There was some smolke in the cabin and black streaks down the white painted mast. He thought we were on fire. The worst part was sailing through 5 more thunder storms back to Ft. Pierce with-out an engine, not knowing the extent of damage to the mast head or possible rigging weakening. VHF still receives but no output. Have not replaced antena yet, using hand held. Lost depth, autopilot, CD player, 3 stage batery charger. What was really wierd, we lost the bow signal light. It and the stern were recently reqired with new fixtures and wire to a breaker in the panel. Did nothin to the stern, but when I opened the bow fixture the bulb was just a sand residue and the metal end caps of the bulb were pealed open like a banna. When I had the boat pulled the bottom painting guy asked about what appears to be a holow cavity visible from the bottom of the keel. He thought it was a design cavity for a swing keel extension. I dont think this was ever a feature on a 84 37c. Possibly the lightning just blew out a little lead, though it appears to be too centered and linear, yet pretty rough and shalow. Any ideas out there. I have been up the mast several times no other aparent damage. Any tips on replacing the antena cable.
We were crossing back from the Bahamas in August of 2003. We had lost our engine on the trip over 1/2 way to Green Turtle, but had no problems sailing on over or back. Beat to windward most of the way over in light to moderate winds. Can't say enough good things about the 37c. 15 miles West of West End just after dark and having a thunder storm pass over. Just as the rail slacked a little Lightning hit the mast. I Was at the wheel holding onto it. Felt nothing. Could not see the mast head for the bimini. Pete was in the companionway and got a good view of the antena vaporizing. I did see a large puff os smoke drifting off as I poked my head out from under the bimini. The remains of the antena just floated down like fire work left overs. There was nothing left except the antena wire sticking out of the mast. My son was below on the starboard seat. Said it was the loudest thing he ever heard. There was some smolke in the cabin and black streaks down the white painted mast. He thought we were on fire. The worst part was sailing through 5 more thunder storms back to Ft. Pierce with-out an engine, not knowing the extent of damage to the mast head or possible rigging weakening. VHF still receives but no output. Have not replaced antena yet, using hand held. Lost depth, autopilot, CD player, 3 stage batery charger. What was really wierd, we lost the bow signal light. It and the stern were recently reqired with new fixtures and wire to a breaker in the panel. Did nothin to the stern, but when I opened the bow fixture the bulb was just a sand residue and the metal end caps of the bulb were pealed open like a banna. When I had the boat pulled the bottom painting guy asked about what appears to be a holow cavity visible from the bottom of the keel. He thought it was a design cavity for a swing keel extension. I dont think this was ever a feature on a 84 37c. Possibly the lightning just blew out a little lead, though it appears to be too centered and linear, yet pretty rough and shalow. Any ideas out there. I have been up the mast several times no other aparent damage. Any tips on replacing the antena cable.
Russell's keel slot.
I think the slot in the bottom of H37C keels was limited to the shoal draft boats. My 1979 has the slot. Some years ago this was a thread here on HOW but I do not recall the outcome. There was never a report of a boat with a centerboard option. But the slot looks like it was planned for one, right size and shape. I suppose it is possible that Mars Metal made a keel that was shared with another company. A friend's Morgan has a centerboard with a keel that looks like mine.
I think the slot in the bottom of H37C keels was limited to the shoal draft boats. My 1979 has the slot. Some years ago this was a thread here on HOW but I do not recall the outcome. There was never a report of a boat with a centerboard option. But the slot looks like it was planned for one, right size and shape. I suppose it is possible that Mars Metal made a keel that was shared with another company. A friend's Morgan has a centerboard with a keel that looks like mine.
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