Some of those topics may be relevant here, so once in a while we will repost on our blog for reference.
The following may be one of those cases. To accommodate our non-boating blog readers, sometimes we add some {additional information and links} to the original forum post, below.
Link to my original forum post [12-Feb-2016]
Update Feb-2020: The image originally included with this post is no longer available and has been replaced with the followng video and alternative article.
Download the above boat owners report. [Very informative.]
Timing is everything...
A good reminder to keep spare [and all] electronics secured in a Faraday cage...
Cheers!
Bill on Denali Rose
Re: Sailboat Lightning Strike Caught On Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobFord
Interesting event- Lightning strikes have always been a concern for me.
Can somebody who has knowledge on the subject, comment on my statement. " My cat. is all aluminium, am I in a " Faraday Cage " ? " |
Hi Bob,
I've been collecting some lightning resources over time, but am certainly not an expert. The answer to your question is complex- and not favorable. But, statistics [and physics...] demonstrate that you are better off in your metal sailboat than we are in our fiberglass one... However- according to insurance claim statistics- we are better off in our monohull than you are in your catamaran... And all of us increase our chances of being struck 5 to 10 fold while at anchor... Are you sensing a pattern here?... [All this gleaned from the references, below...]
Here are a couple of resources that relate to your question: The first is this well written article in Ocean Navigator [by the owner of an aluminum sailboat that was struck...] and the second is Marine Lightning Protection Inc. [the company founded by the professor referenced in the above article...]
As a general reference regarding lightning and [fiberglass?] sailboats, attached is a publication from the University of Florida entitled Lightning and Sailboats.
In case this is helpful, and may none of us ever find out first-hand how well protected from lightning we, our vessels, and electronics are...
Additional Resources:
- Lightning Protection on Sailboat
- Owner's report: Lightning Strike on Perseverance
- NMEA 2000 surge protection [Added Jul-2023]
Cheers!
Bill on Denali Rose
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