Lightning at Sea - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Lightning at Sea

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Lightning at Sea

Fishcop posted 07-11-2002 10:52 PM ET (US)
Just some added info for those interested.
The metal VHF antenna on my 17' whaler was struck by lightning while underway in the Pacific. Burnt all the electronics and the plate on the transom. I was holding the wheel made of wood that "cracked" when the lightning struck. I have since learned that the charge will follow the path of least resistance and without any grounding, your body may become that pathway. The cracking of my wheel was caused by water in the wood boiling from the heat of the lightning strike. The metal grounding plate on the transom directed the charge into the water.
On some of the newer boats, there is a "static dissipater" that helps keep lightning off the boat. Not sure how it works, but anything is better than nothing.
I have been told that in a lightning storm, you should avoid holding the metal rails and T-tops that are usually not grounded.
Just my 2 cents.
Andy.
Guts posted 07-11-2002 11:41 PM ET (US)
BUY A LOTTO TICKET! IT"S your turn!
JDH posted 07-12-2002 11:50 AM ET (US)
That must have scared the @#%* out of you!
Maybe the toolkit or emergency supplies should include a change of shorts ;p
I wonder if the antenna wasn't there if it would have hit you or the motor?
How tall was your antenna, and where did this happen?
and of course: Pics!!!!
Jay A posted 07-12-2002 04:54 PM ET (US)
Years ago I was at my uncles lakeside cottage in NH. While rowing a 16' Amesbury skiff a thunder storm rolled over the hills and headed towards me. My father standing on the porch started hollering to get in.I put my "rear-in-gear" and headed for the beach.About 100 yards offshore everything went "white",I couldn't see a thing or hear anything too! Maybe 10 seconds past and I was able to get back my vision,the water around me was sizzling like 7-Up for a few more seconds! I got back on the oars and hit the beach. No visable damage to the boat but I had ringing in my ears for about 2 weeks!
Boston Marine posted 07-13-2002 02:04 AM ET (US)
Check Out The Grounding Plate On My Old Whaler. It Was Used To Insure Ground To All Electronics
Here Is The Link
http://www.bostonmarine.net/my_first_whaler.htm
Swellmonster posted 07-14-2002 01:14 PM ET (US)
I am in the lightning capital of the world. Been stuck out there before too.
Anybody have grounding methods 1998 Outrage?
Dr T posted 07-15-2002 02:25 AM ET (US)
To add to the cautionary note, Graphite fishing rods are excellenct conductors. If you choose to fish in a thunderstorm, you are just waving a lightning rod over your head asking to get hit.
Make sure you have made your peace with the world and your life insurance is paid up.
tds

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Lightning at Sea
Fishcop	posted 07-11-2002 10:52 PM ET (US) Just some added info for those interested. The metal VHF antenna on my 17' whaler was struck by lightning while underway in the Pacific. Burnt all the electronics and the plate on the transom. I was holding the wheel made of wood that "cracked" when the lightning struck. I have since learned that the charge will follow the path of least resistance and without any grounding, your body may become that pathway. The cracking of my wheel was caused by water in the wood boiling from the heat of the lightning strike. The metal grounding plate on the transom directed the charge into the water. On some of the newer boats, there is a "static dissipater" that helps keep lightning off the boat. Not sure how it works, but anything is better than nothing. I have been told that in a lightning storm, you should avoid holding the metal rails and T-tops that are usually not grounded. Just my 2 cents. Andy.
Guts	posted 07-11-2002 11:41 PM ET (US) BUY A LOTTO TICKET! IT"S your turn!
JDH	posted 07-12-2002 11:50 AM ET (US) That must have scared the @#%* out of you! Maybe the toolkit or emergency supplies should include a change of shorts ;p I wonder if the antenna wasn't there if it would have hit you or the motor? How tall was your antenna, and where did this happen? and of course: Pics!!!!
Jay A	posted 07-12-2002 04:54 PM ET (US) Years ago I was at my uncles lakeside cottage in NH. While rowing a 16' Amesbury skiff a thunder storm rolled over the hills and headed towards me. My father standing on the porch started hollering to get in.I put my "rear-in-gear" and headed for the beach.About 100 yards offshore everything went "white",I couldn't see a thing or hear anything too! Maybe 10 seconds past and I was able to get back my vision,the water around me was sizzling like 7-Up for a few more seconds! I got back on the oars and hit the beach. No visable damage to the boat but I had ringing in my ears for about 2 weeks!
Boston Marine	posted 07-13-2002 02:04 AM ET (US) Check Out The Grounding Plate On My Old Whaler. It Was Used To Insure Ground To All Electronics Here Is The Link http://www.bostonmarine.net/my_first_whaler.htm
Swellmonster	posted 07-14-2002 01:14 PM ET (US) I am in the lightning capital of the world. Been stuck out there before too. Anybody have grounding methods 1998 Outrage?
Dr T	posted 07-15-2002 02:25 AM ET (US) To add to the cautionary note, Graphite fishing rods are excellenct conductors. If you choose to fish in a thunderstorm, you are just waving a lightning rod over your head asking to get hit. Make sure you have made your peace with the world and your life insurance is paid up. tds