Static Electricity
- Thread starter JohnVTX
- Start date
Our club had to put dissipaters on our weather station to bleed off the buildup from the wind. Not sure how this helps but I think your problem has to do with dry, windy conditions. Maybe clip a wire to your cover and toss the other end into the water?
The static buildup occurs as a result of frictional contact between the sail material and the sail cover material. Try to minimize friction by tying bungees around the sail cover to reduce wind induced movement. There is also the possibility that you could be building up static charge; the way you walk and the material of your shoes could be doing it. Don't slide your feet especially if you have carpet in your boat cabin.
When I used to sail on inland Lake Don Pedro in the summer time the whole main and jib would build up a static charge. The hair on your arms and head would stand up and sooner or later during sail handling, especially after sailing, you would get zapped. Dissipating that charge requires that the whole piece of material be made conductive. Try to learn to enjoy it.
On a more serious note this is a good reason to be careful how you handling gasoline.
On a more serious note this is a good reason to be careful how you handling gasoline.
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That's why misting with water works. At least it works for other things.When I used to sail on inland Lake Don Pedro in the summer time the whole main and jib would build up a static charge. The hair on your arms and head would stand up and sooner or later during sail handling, especially after sailing, you would get zapped. Dissipating that charge requires that the whole piece of material be made conductive. Try to learn to enjoy it.
On a more serious note this is a good reason to be careful how you handling gasoline.
Ken
That sound awful. I can't help but imagine some interesting Pavlovian experiments we could devise for the unsuspecting sailor....
Gee Bubba, everytime I try to get a beer out of the cooler zzaaaaap!
I think the fabric softener idea is not a bad one. Maybe you could make a dilute solution of fabric softener, put it in a garden sprayer and mist your sail and cover next time you raise the sail.
Alternatively a caribiner (sp?) clip on a length of chain might make a good ground for your rig. You could clip it to a shroud, drop it over the side before you touch the mast and maybe dissipate the charge.
Thinwater is right. Fabric softener will work, as will any wetting agent (soap or detergent) If it happens regularly I think the fabric softener makes sense but something more permanent may make more sense (Sorry, I don't know what that would be.)
Ken