[Fran49829]

Bill,
I was not the owner of the larger boats. I owned the Lightning and cruised across the lake with it but was scared alot as it is an open boat ( easily fills up with water from waves on a beat) and is easily rolled over. So the Freedom 21 is a big move up as it has a fixed keel, very large rudder and an enclosed cabin.
I take absolutely no precautions against lightning except that the mast is grounded to the keel. I have always remained in the cockpit during thunderstorms for over 30 years and have gone through hundreds of lightning storms. I may be nuts but I have never heard of anyone being struck by lightning on a sailboat. Personally I believe that it will hit the mast and not me. On the other hand every sailboat I have ever sailed on has had the top of the mast hit which usually blows the instruments completely away. I think it is silly to buy wind instruments for cruising unless you can afford to replace them. Lightning is not a real concern. Even strong storms are not really to dangerous if you have sea room and they don''t last to long. The most dangerous thing is fatique. Fran