[C320-list] Lightning Storm Damage

[Quentin Murphy]

Thanks Bruce and Tim.  I have jumper cables 20' long and 000 AWG.  But I
connect those to the chainplates if I'm on the boat during an electrical
storm. I can unplug my shorepower but my fridge will drain the battery in a
few days and we cannot also predict when these storms come along. As we all
know the forecasts sometimes are off the mark and these summer storms here
are extremely local. Is there any isolation device like a surge protector
made specifically for a 30-Amp shorepower system that installs in the boat
the same way galvanic isolator is mounted, so that it is permanently in
place?  Or are there any devices which can be connected to our club's
shorepower system, for example in the pedestals which is specially made for
the marine industry?  This is so if another boat at our club get hit again:
the damage won't travel through the shorepower system to my boat.  Or is
this an very uncommon occurrence?

Quentin Murphy
Celtic Knot #667


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com]On Behalf Of Timothy
O'Connor
Sent: June 16, 2008 10:21 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lightning Storm Damage


Quentin,

We sail at  Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club, we use automobile jumper
cables attached to the shrouds and then overboard to the water if caught in
lighting or at shore. Many sailors on the south shore of Lake Ontario us
this method  believing it is added protection, although the is very little
one can do to fully protect the boat.

Tim O'Connor
Kinsail  # 592

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Quentin Murphy
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 9:08 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Lightning Storm Damage

Last week lightning appears to have hit the mast of a C-350 at our club and
did considerable damage inside.  There is soot everywhere and every
electrical and electronic system fried.  Anyway, about six other boats also
suffered in the vicinity, supposedly through the shorepower system.  For
example, a powerboat two slips away had its bow  thruster damaged and
battery charger blown.  Are there any precautions we can take other than
unplugging our shorepower cord prior to thunderstorms?  In Toronto, we have
many thunderstorms during summer, although this year seems much worst, but
this is the first such instance of damage I can recall in our vicinity.

Quentin Murphy
Celtic Knot #667