thunderstorms

[jimspafford]

i plan on going out on the lake this weekend thunderstorms possible what to do about the 27 foot lightning rod new to sailing here

[canadianseamonkey]

If you see lightning, stay away from anything metal on you boat. Don't be leaning on your boom while being facinated by the lightining. If you get hit, most of your electronics will probably be zapped, whether they are plugged in or not. If you do get hit, go buy a lottery ticket. I only know one person who ever got hit, so don't sweat too much. Happy sailing!

[Gary M]

It totally amazes me that more sailboats don't get it. I am on Lake Huron and I only hear about 1 or 2 a year. We had one in our club that was hit in it's berth this year. Boat is likely a write off as the hull was damaged by the heat.

I have been out in many races with lots of other sailboats with those big aluminum lighting poles and having lightning strikes all around, to the point of smelling ozone ! No one basically ever gets hit.

It is good advice to stay away from the standing rigging including the back stay. Other than that generally you will be so busy dealing with the wind that usually accompanies a thunderstorm to worry much about the lightning.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by jimspafford

i plan on going out on the lake this weekend thunderstorms possible what to do about the 27 foot lightning rod new to sailing here

Don't touch anything metal and stay down below. Find a buddy boat with a taller mast (smile).

- CD

PS I am moving this thread to seamanship.

[conrat66]

Taller Mast good idea......................the schooner I used to be Cpt on 70 ft got knocked down last week in a thunder storm Many very scared passengers..........no injuries other than needing brown not red britches............

[Joesaila]

I know I felt like a target...a marine elec tek told me of some who connect jumper cables to the backstays and the other end to a large 'dyna plate' and drop it overboard. My book says to get away from anything metal...what does that mean? Its like telling someone in a little jail cell to keep away from the bars...Go swiming I guess.

[poopdeckpappy]

A question along the same line here, I have all wood spars, if I'm struck by lightening, am I looking at a blow out on my mast, much like you would see on a tree ??

[jimspafford]

thanks for the input appaently no big worries i reckon oh by the way my boat is on lake eufala in oklahoma, i have heard the wire running to the water thing may just do that

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by poopdeckpappy

A question along the same line here, I have all wood spars, if I'm struck by lightening, am I looking at a blow out on my mast, much like you would see on a tree ??

Unless you have a lightning rod and a heavy copper wire leading down to your keel....yup, you probably are. However, since the mast is less conductive, you may be less of a target than a boat with an aluminum spar.

[davideureka]

we stay in our cabin dont touch any metal