My wife and I are newbies and have a Hunter 20 on a small freshwater lake in Indiana. Of course my wife is concerned about foul weather here in the midwest. Translation: she puts large metal pole(mast), together with large body of water(lake), and immediately thoughts turn to lightning, and consequently death. What do we have to be concerned about? Will lightning strike a sailboat mast under sail? At anchor? What about that pop up thunderstorm when we are overnighting it in a cove? Is lighting a cloud to ground energy transfer only? What about at a mooring surrounded by other boats? I am assuming the boat is "grounded" given that the mast seat is directly connected to the keel housing. Any thoughts to calm nerves would be appreciated. I am looking forward to a lifetime of sailing with the Mrs. and don't want to screw it up early. Thanks
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Ray Bowles
Graham, Yes, lightening can strike your boat, but
it also can pick another target next door or miles away. On a 20' boat there's not a lot you can do either way that would make any difference. If boomers are forcast then don't sail. Also, it is not necessary to be perfectly centered in the lake with miles of water between you and the shore. Sail closer to the shoreline if you are caught out on a stormy day. Then you just duck into a cove and share a brew with the local cabin owner. Driving to and from the lake is so much more dangerous than lightening that the safest bet is to just stay home. NOW, That won't do at all. Buy good life vests for the wind and waves before the storm and go sail. Ray S/V Speedy
it also can pick another target next door or miles away. On a 20' boat there's not a lot you can do either way that would make any difference. If boomers are forcast then don't sail. Also, it is not necessary to be perfectly centered in the lake with miles of water between you and the shore. Sail closer to the shoreline if you are caught out on a stormy day. Then you just duck into a cove and share a brew with the local cabin owner. Driving to and from the lake is so much more dangerous than lightening that the safest bet is to just stay home. NOW, That won't do at all. Buy good life vests for the wind and waves before the storm and go sail. Ray S/V Speedy
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Dan Ebert
Hit
I am at Kents Harbor and two years ago I and the guy in the slip next to me we each had new H260's. He got hit and nothing happen to my boat. You will never know. At Brookville, You will always have time to run for cover. Just watch the sky. btw: The hit total his boat.
I am at Kents Harbor and two years ago I and the guy in the slip next to me we each had new H260's. He got hit and nothing happen to my boat. You will never know. At Brookville, You will always have time to run for cover. Just watch the sky. btw: The hit total his boat.
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Doug T.
If your mast gets hit...
...AND if the mast (and shrouds) are grounded to the keel, you'll actually be pretty safe on the boat. The mast will provide a cone of protection. You're actually safer than if you were in a power boat! Of course all of your electronics are likely to get fried and there's likely to be other damage, but your body (the important thing) should be relatively safe. (Try to avoid being a conductor between different metal objects on the boat when the lightning hits, though. Hugging the mast is a no-no.) I can send you the ABYC specs on lightning protection if you send me your email address. dougtinva@hotmail.com See the related link for a good article on lightning and sailboats.
...AND if the mast (and shrouds) are grounded to the keel, you'll actually be pretty safe on the boat. The mast will provide a cone of protection. You're actually safer than if you were in a power boat! Of course all of your electronics are likely to get fried and there's likely to be other damage, but your body (the important thing) should be relatively safe. (Try to avoid being a conductor between different metal objects on the boat when the lightning hits, though. Hugging the mast is a no-no.) I can send you the ABYC specs on lightning protection if you send me your email address. dougtinva@hotmail.com See the related link for a good article on lightning and sailboats.
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Crazy Dave Condon
awareness
It is good to knwo or be aware but so much is spoken of ligtning that the incidence is very rare to begin with. There is alot on this issue. Tell your wife not to frett. I have been caught in lightning or purposely sailed into such a storm for experience. Usually, it hits the shore. AS for any serious injuries from it, that is rare but it will scare the crap out of you. Do not touch metal. kcrazy Davie Condondodndndndndndn
It is good to knwo or be aware but so much is spoken of ligtning that the incidence is very rare to begin with. There is alot on this issue. Tell your wife not to frett. I have been caught in lightning or purposely sailed into such a storm for experience. Usually, it hits the shore. AS for any serious injuries from it, that is rare but it will scare the crap out of you. Do not touch metal. kcrazy Davie Condondodndndndndndn
Check the archives too...
This subject comes up every summer, especially amongst Florida sailors. There is a wealth of information in the archives. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
This subject comes up every summer, especially amongst Florida sailors. There is a wealth of information in the archives. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Ken Cobb
pinholes
A few years ago a friend's boat was hit at the dock. The mast had not been grounded to the keel, as is recommended. The lightning forced its way from the base of the mast to the water (or the reverse, whichever is the case with lightning) by making dozens of little holes in the hull. The boat would have sunk if it had been unattended, but the owners were on board and kept it pumped out until it could be hauled. Repairs were extensive.
A few years ago a friend's boat was hit at the dock. The mast had not been grounded to the keel, as is recommended. The lightning forced its way from the base of the mast to the water (or the reverse, whichever is the case with lightning) by making dozens of little holes in the hull. The boat would have sunk if it had been unattended, but the owners were on board and kept it pumped out until it could be hauled. Repairs were extensive.
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Scott Mathey
Lightning
Hello Graham. For lightning , the best solution is to not be there though not always possible, I have got caught in a few storms that featured lightning. If lightning is a possibility though, I have a jumper cable clamp that I connect to the mast base and run a large copper cable to the water with the insulation stripped back about 1 foot to expose several strands of heavy copper wire frayed out and make sure it is in the water. I do the same if I get caught out sailing in a storm, I just drag the wire through the water as I go. By the grace of God I have not seen it work though the physics seem to make sence that if a cable , or the mast get hit, the current will follow the shortest distance to ground. Keep your body away from any metal around you. I hope you never need it but it is a piece of mind. Take Care.
Hello Graham. For lightning , the best solution is to not be there though not always possible, I have got caught in a few storms that featured lightning. If lightning is a possibility though, I have a jumper cable clamp that I connect to the mast base and run a large copper cable to the water with the insulation stripped back about 1 foot to expose several strands of heavy copper wire frayed out and make sure it is in the water. I do the same if I get caught out sailing in a storm, I just drag the wire through the water as I go. By the grace of God I have not seen it work though the physics seem to make sence that if a cable , or the mast get hit, the current will follow the shortest distance to ground. Keep your body away from any metal around you. I hope you never need it but it is a piece of mind. Take Care.
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Bob
Eye witness
I used to work (and live) in a marina in NE Florida, and have seen several boats get stung. Several of us witnessed a lightning strike hit the water, right in the middle of a hundred docked boats. We also had a brand new boat take a strike while blocked in the yard. It blew chunks of burned 'glass from around a thru-hull. Also worked on a boat that had been hit 3 times, over a period of 2 years, while tied to the same mooring. Talked with an individual that took a strike while anchored with about 30 boats in the Abacos. He was the only boat in the anchorage to take a strike, and was the only boat with a lightning "protection" device (the ion-dissipator, or bottle brush style). I believe that no matter what you do, when it's your turn, it's your turn!
I used to work (and live) in a marina in NE Florida, and have seen several boats get stung. Several of us witnessed a lightning strike hit the water, right in the middle of a hundred docked boats. We also had a brand new boat take a strike while blocked in the yard. It blew chunks of burned 'glass from around a thru-hull. Also worked on a boat that had been hit 3 times, over a period of 2 years, while tied to the same mooring. Talked with an individual that took a strike while anchored with about 30 boats in the Abacos. He was the only boat in the anchorage to take a strike, and was the only boat with a lightning "protection" device (the ion-dissipator, or bottle brush style). I believe that no matter what you do, when it's your turn, it's your turn!
J
Joyce & Bob
Lightning Problems
Its an interesting concern as Joyce & I posted the same type of question a couple of days ago. I would suggest you search the archives using the key word "lightning" and get ready for some scary comments. What I have learned in the past few days is that A) the boats are not grounded very well, all electronics will be destroyed and there is a good probably that the boat will be severly damaged and therefore B) people should not be on the boat when it is hit by lightning - period. C) Check to see that your boat insurance policy covers a lightning hit. D) A sail boat in salt water is safer then one in fresh water since salt water is a good conductor or ground of electricity. Because fresh water is such a poor conductor, the lightning strike will target the best conductor around which will be the mast of a sail boat. E) there must be methods available to ground our boats which I am looking into now. Best solutions so far: 1 - attach battery jumper cables with one end to the standing rigging, or mast, and the other end to a metal/conductor plate in the water. I do not know if this would work in fresh water but in salt water, in theory, the strike to the mast would be channeled away from the hull and into the water/gound. 2 - the second suggestion I read in an old "SAIL" magazine and it involved running a copper rod and wire up the mast with the mail sail halyard and having the other end, again, in the water to discharge the hit. If I read anything else I'll let you know. I appreciate any info or ideas you pick up. Regards, Bob.
Its an interesting concern as Joyce & I posted the same type of question a couple of days ago. I would suggest you search the archives using the key word "lightning" and get ready for some scary comments. What I have learned in the past few days is that A) the boats are not grounded very well, all electronics will be destroyed and there is a good probably that the boat will be severly damaged and therefore B) people should not be on the boat when it is hit by lightning - period. C) Check to see that your boat insurance policy covers a lightning hit. D) A sail boat in salt water is safer then one in fresh water since salt water is a good conductor or ground of electricity. Because fresh water is such a poor conductor, the lightning strike will target the best conductor around which will be the mast of a sail boat. E) there must be methods available to ground our boats which I am looking into now. Best solutions so far: 1 - attach battery jumper cables with one end to the standing rigging, or mast, and the other end to a metal/conductor plate in the water. I do not know if this would work in fresh water but in salt water, in theory, the strike to the mast would be channeled away from the hull and into the water/gound. 2 - the second suggestion I read in an old "SAIL" magazine and it involved running a copper rod and wire up the mast with the mail sail halyard and having the other end, again, in the water to discharge the hit. If I read anything else I'll let you know. I appreciate any info or ideas you pick up. Regards, Bob.
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Doug T.
Straight line conductor
The only trouble with the battery cable idea is that the mast-cable-water ground path will make several right angle turns on it's way to the water. High voltage electicity much prefers to travel in a straight line. The lightning strike is likely to turn up it's nose at taking the right angle turn from the mast to the battery cable and go it's own way. It's far better to run a permanent 8 or 4AWG cable from the mast base straight down to closest keel bolt.
The only trouble with the battery cable idea is that the mast-cable-water ground path will make several right angle turns on it's way to the water. High voltage electicity much prefers to travel in a straight line. The lightning strike is likely to turn up it's nose at taking the right angle turn from the mast to the battery cable and go it's own way. It's far better to run a permanent 8 or 4AWG cable from the mast base straight down to closest keel bolt.
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