[C320-list] Lightning

[Rick Smith]

I won't claim to know a single thing about the science of this -- BUT -- I 
did install one of the fuzzy wire devices on Layla soon after we bought her 
new in 1994.  Why?  Because my wife was quite afraid of lightning and I 
showed her an ad in a sailing magazine that said "If you install this device 
and you EVER get hit by lightning, we will cover ALL costs of restoring or 
replacing your boat" and I said "it must work, or they would not make such a 
promise."  Of course we both knew that was a bit of slight of hand, right? 
I mean -- the company can play the odds too, right?  But, we installed 
anyway.  And some 25+ years later we've not been hit by lightning -- either 
out on the water (survived several pop-up storms -- you know how it is in 
the south!) or at the dock.  Other boats in the vicinity HAVE been hit while 
we were spared.  Was it just our good fortune/luck/odds or did the device 
work?  I don't know -- but, I have no regrets having installed it.

Rick Smith
Layla #136
Lake Lanier, GA

-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Grass
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2020 4:30 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lightning

Thanks Chip - just to confirm - you ARE saying that such a device on the
top of the mast MIGHT be beneficial?  Is this correct?

Tom Grass

On Mon, Dec 14, 2020 at 2:21 PM Charles Martin <chiprmartin at gmail.com>
wrote:

> In a past life, I studied EMP and related E/M phenomena.  The point of
> dissipaters at the top of the mast is to reduce the build-up of static
> charge and retard the formation of ion “streamers” which can link to and
> complete the path for a lightning strike.  The local balance of charge
> between surface and sky will determine where strikes will actually occur
> (they can and do strike the surface of the water); however, you may
> significantly reduce the likelihood of a strike to your boat by ensuring a
> good, low impedance connection with minimum bend between mast and sea and
> continuously dissipating any excess charge at the masthead.  You may have
> noticed similar dissipaters on aircraft wings.
>
> Best,
> Chip Martin
> S/V Bonaventure, Sail # 767
> (410) 231-0199
> chiprmartin at gmail.com
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 14, 2020 at 2:42 PM Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
>
> > The consensus I’ve read from lightning experts is that the dissipators
> > probably don’t do any good, although there’s no definitive proof either
> > way. A lightning bolt is just too powerful to be diffused by a small
> metal
> > brush on the top of the mast.
> >
> > But, frankly, their guess and your guess is as good as my guess. If it
> > makes you feel better, it may be worth the price.
> >
> > Jack Brennan
> > Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> > Tierra Verde, Fl.
> >
> >
> > Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> >
> > From: Tom Grass
> > Sent: Monday, December 14, 2020 12:23 PM
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lightning
> >
> > Thanks for all of the replies regarding lightning.  What are your
> opinions
> > regarding a lightning dissipator mounted to the top of the mast?
> >
> > Tom Grass
> > Bucket List
> >
> > On Mon, Dec 14, 2020 at 10:20 AM John morrison <
> sail-ability at sympatico.ca>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I read something awhile ago that Catalina made a deliberate decision
> not
> > > to electrically bond all of the metal components. It basically said
> that
> > > lightning in the order of a Brazilian V will do whatever it bloody 
> > > well
> > > pleased. Bonding is expensive producing no benefits. This came up
> during
> > my
> > > recent survey whereas the surveyor stated that all metal components
> > needed
> > > to be bonded. I discussed the issue with him and he withdrew the
> > > requirement. I have two heavy jumper cables which I attach to the
> shrouds
> > > and then dangle in the water. Evidently it doesn’t help but it gives 
> > > me
> > > peace of mind……..sort of.
> > > JohnM
> > > 1999#574
> > > > On Dec 13, 2020, at 11:39 AM, Jack Brennan <
> jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi Tom:
> > > >
> > > > My 1998 320 has a thick cable bolted to the mast support and
> connected
> > > to a keel bolt. In theory, the mast is the lightning rod and the
> massive
> > > keel is the ground stake. However …
> > > >
> > > > Lightning is kazillion volts and basically does what it wants to. It
> > > might run straight down through the keel, or maybe it does a side 
> > > flash
> > to
> > > other metal such as the oven. We are lucky to have Marelon through
> hulls
> > > because they won’t attract side flashes and melt, the way bronze 
> > > could.
> > > >
> > > > I live in Florida, the lightning capital of the world, and I have 
> > > > had
> > > two close brushes with lightning in 40 years of off and on sailing.
> That
> > > should tell you something about where it should be on your list of
> > worries.
> > > >
> > > > In the first, I was in my 19-foot sailboat about three miles off 
> > > > Fort
> > > Lauderdale, making a late return at night from the Keys. I pulled down
> > the
> > > sails and lit a cigarette (I smoked back then) while lightning bolts
> > struck
> > > all around me for about 30 minutes. I could see them hitting the 
> > > water,
> > but
> > > none hit me. Scared the hell out of me.
> > > >
> > > > The second was about seven years ago. My wife and I were scrambling
> in
> > > as a summer thunderstorm arrived in Hillsboro Inlet from the
> Everglades.
> > I
> > > was dropping the anchor in 30-knot gusts when a bolt struck about 40
> > yards
> > > from us in the harbor. It knocked out random electronics in my Bristol
> > 30,
> > > but I didn’t feel anything.
> > > >
> > > > So my rules are take down the sails, anchor if you are in restricted
> > > waters, lock the wheel to protect the rudder, go below and stay away
> from
> > > metal. I also shut off the electricity and put all cellphones,
> computers,
> > > portable GPS’s, handheld radios, etc., in the oven.
> > > >
> > > > The reason for that is something called the Faraday Cage. Anything
> > > enclosed in metal won’t be affected by lightning. It’s why the 747
> > doesn’t
> > > go down when it is struck by lightning. If it does get bad, you have
> the
> > > ability to call for help.
> > > >
> > > > Hope this helps.
> > > >
> > > > Jack Brennan
> > > > Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> > > > Tierra Verde, Fl.
> > > > Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> > > >
> > > > From: Tom Grass
> > > > Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2020 10:12 AM
> > > > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > > > Cc: Tracy Grass
> > > > Subject: [C320-list] Lightning
> > > >
> > > > Wondering about lightning protection on Catalina 320 boats?  I don't
> > > > believe they come grounded (mast to keel) from the factory -
> wondering
> > > what
> > > > the members of this forum have done in an attempt to minimize the
> > impact
> > > of
> > > > a possible lightning strike?
> > > >
> > > > Also what is the collective opinion of installing a Forespar
> > Performance
> > > > Products Forespar Lightning Master™ - Static Dissipater
> > > > on your mast?  We're planning on sailing down to the Chesapeake Bay
> and
> > > > perhaps to the Bahamas in 2021 - just preparing in advance.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Tom and Tracy Grass
> > > > Bucket List
> > > > 2008 Catalina 320 MK II
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>