"Roger Long" wrote...
Like the vast majority of fiberglass boat owners, I'm sailing around in a
boat with next to no lightning protection....

Related question -

I am building an open 20' power boat, of all-aluminum construction. It will
be used in all weather conditions, sometimes for "time-critical" trips. I
have toyed with the idea of shipping a short mast (boathook?) to disperse
any electrical charge, and hopefully channel any direct strikes along a
known path.

Any thoughts?
Sal's Dad

"Sal's Dad" wrote in message
...
"Roger Long" wrote...
Like the vast majority of fiberglass boat owners, I'm sailing around
in a boat with next to no lightning protection....

Related question -

I am building an open 20' power boat, of all-aluminum construction.
It will be used in all weather conditions, sometimes for
"time-critical" trips. I have toyed with the idea of shipping a short
mast (boathook?) to disperse any electrical charge, and hopefully
channel any direct strikes along a known path.

Any thoughts?
Sal's Dad

Yes, it's a dumb idea. What you have there is a Faraday cage. If you get
caught in a lightning storm sit or lie down in the center of the boat so
your head is below the gunnels and you will be protected by the Faraday
cage. Erecting a mast will only attract a lightning strike.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

Wilbur Hubbard

"Sal's Dad" wrote

Any thoughts?

Make it a tall mast with a sharp point on top. There are also some special
electrodes that are supposed to be better than a sharp point but I have no
idea how valid their claims are.

--
Roger Long

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...

"Sal's Dad" wrote

Any thoughts?

Make it a tall mast with a sharp point on top. There are also some
special electrodes that are supposed to be better than a sharp point
but I have no idea how valid their claims are.



Better yet, fly a kite made out of aluminum foil and use a wire leader!

Are you trying to get the man killed?

Wilbur Hubbard

Any thoughts?

Make it a tall mast with a sharp point on top. There are also some
special electrodes that are supposed to be better than a sharp point but
I have no idea how valid their claims are.



Better yet, fly a kite made out of aluminum foil and use a wire leader!

Are you trying to get the man killed?

I was thinking along the lines of the "cone of protection" approach:
http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/CB/lightning.html
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000001...7/d000007.html
http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/Summer06BEACON.pdf

or a Faraday Cage created from the framework of a bimini or dodger.

Or maybe a combination of both?

Sal's Dad

"Sal's Dad" wrote

I was thinking along the lines of the "cone of protection" approach:
or a Faraday Cage created from the framework of a bimini or dodger.

Exactly. I don't know if the accusation of trying to get you killed was
directed at me but the boathook originally referred to, doesn't produce much
of a cone unless it is an unusually long one. Headstays, backstays, and
shrouds outght to produce something of a Faraday Cage effect on a metal
boat.

--
Roger Long