[C320-list] When Lightning Strikes

[Chris Burti]

Feel free to use anything you can.

My first hit was a direct masthead strike on a close friend and former boat
partner's boat over ten years ago while I was at the helm. The only damage
was that the masthead VHF antenna, windex and wind speed sensor were all
melted or vaporized, a bit of scorching occurred on the deck from falling
slag and the SeaTalk feature on the Raymarine instruments was disabled.

Boat US paid for the haul. They checked the bottom, the rig, keel
attachment and all electric/electronic components. They paid for dropping
and rewiring the mast and a complete replacement of all instruments
including the wheel pilot. Total tab was about $8k.

More recently, I had pulse damage on Commitment from a nearby strike. The
charger and vhf were dead and the instruments were damaged. Repair and
replacement cost were about the  same as the deductible, so I did not file a
claim in ordr to keep my discount.

On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 6:51 AM, Karl Mielenhausen _/)
<c320 at suddenlink.net>wrote:

> With Chris' permission, I'd like to turn this thread into an article for
> the technical section of the next Mainsheet. I'd ask to Chris to do it, but
> he is already writing an article on another topic.
>
> What to do after a lightning strike will heavily stress getting a
> professional survey.
>
> Any other suggestions and experiences would be most appreciated. I know
> this has also happened to others recently (Kit).
>
> You may send your comments to the entire list (reply) or just to me
> backchannel (C320 at suddenlink.net).
>
> Thanks,
> Karl
>
>  On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:42:50 -0400, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Been there, done that twice. If you have insurance through Boat US,
>> the haul and survey are on them so wait until they order it.
>>
>> The only caution I would make is to test operate every
>> electric/electronic device on board. It is easy to overlook things
>> like washdown pumps, steaming lights, fans, chargers, galvanic
>> isolators, handhelds and other plug-ins that may be hidden from the
>> adjuster/surveyer. You may have to eat it if you pull out some rarely
>> touched item a year from now and find out it doesn't work
>>
>> Lastly, if it was a direct masthead strike, the repair authorization
>> should include a complete rewiring of the mast because that can't be
>> inspected.
>>
>>
>> On 8/16/08, Orlando.Duran at averydennison.com
>> <Orlando.Duran at averydennison.com> wrote:
>>
>>> First thing I would do is to get a qualified surveyor--there has to be
>>> folks
>>> who specialize in lightning damage--and have him assess your boat first,
>>> then you have some sort of benchmark with which to compare the insurance
>>> assessment they will need to make.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------
>>> Regards,
>>> OD
>>>
>>> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Tim [chillinonahd at yahoo.com]
>>> Sent: 08/16/2008 06:27 AM
>>> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
>>> Subject: [C320-list] When Lightning Strikes
>>>
>>> Sad news - my boat was hit by lightning in a storm on Mon nite here is
>>> Long
>>> Island. Seems to be limited to electronics but the more people I talk to
>>> the
>>> more I am learning as to what to check for...like hull damage from where
>>> the
>>> lightning may have exited. So, I am reaching out to this group seeking
>>> words
>>> of wisdom from personal experience or that of a fellow sailor. What
>>> should I
>>> look for, tips on dealing with boatyard/insurance agent etc..
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Tim O
>>> Calypso
>>> #603
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Karl Mielenhausen
> Catalina 320 Hull 690
> New Bern, NC
>



-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC