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underway lightning ground
In article ,
(Parallax) wrote:
Thunderstorms every day and my fear of lightning (totally justified)
have caused me to once again scheme up a way to protect my sailboat.
For protection while anchored, I have a 2'X2' copper sheet with very
thick stranded tinned cable with a clamp for attachment to the mast.
I have considered using this while underway but it would cause too
much drag and would probably foul the prop.
So........another useless idea. How could you tow a lightning ground?
Such a ground doesnt have to be a sheet. it just has to have large
surface area. Could attach it to the bottom of the dinghy and tow it
with proper cable going to the mast but I try not to tow my dinghy.
OK, why not something like a boogie board (foam) covered with Cu foil.
No matter which side it had in the water, it would have lots of area
submerged. It would produce minimal drag. Any thoughts?
From my experience, when lightning is near, I have other things to worry
about, like wind and waves. When threatened, I park it fast and get
below.
If I were back in western FL, I'd have a cable bulldog-clamped to each
stay, probably with a zinc attached to give them double duty. A cable
from the mast takes too sharp a turn for my taste.
--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/
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