SD, how do you know that the jumper cables would do "less than zip" ?
If lightning struck the cap shrouds it is likely that the jumper cables would help a lot to transfer the strike to the water where it would be dissapated.
Grounding the boat is not possible anyway since its floating in the water not attached to the "ground"
Edit - in NWR 's case he was anchored...thus attached to the ground.....but his anchor chain may not have been bonded to his mast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sailingdog
NWR-
The 2AWG jumper cables probably did less than zip to ground your boat, given the high resistance of the stainless steel used in shrouds and stays, and the low surface area of the clamping method... it was of almost purely psychological benefit if anything.
Chuckles-
The grounding strip/plate for a lightning bond system does generally have to be a bit heavier than most foils are. The best ones I've seen have threaded copper studs that go through the hull to the bonding system.
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