Hey Rob... What a coincidence! I just noticed this thread on one of
our MacGregor forums.

Best regards

Bill
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 11:11 am
Post subject: Lightning strike scare???

Was out yesterday on Long Island Sound in on and off showers when the
strangest thing happened. I could see a rather menacing looking shower
coming our way but not thunder and lightening so we stayed drifting (we
were fishing). As the storm approached but still 4-5 miles away, we
began to hear crackling coming from the top of the mast. touching the
mast, engine, etc produced no effect. Turning off all circuits and
electronics produced no change. Turning everything on and starting
engine produced no change.

As I began to think maybe some sort of charge was being built up on the
boat, we headed for the harbor. As we departed, we heard distant
thunder. By the time we got back to harbor no further crackling. We
went back on the water in sunny conditions for another 5 hours with no
crackling.

Any ideas of what I experienced? My only thought was that we were
building up a positive charge due to the potential negatively charged
atmosphere. I have heard a positive charge must develop oposite a
lightning bolt. Is this true?