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On 25 Mar 2004 11:28:18 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:

When anchored during thunderstorms, I have a 2'X 2' piece of copper
sheet attached to OO guage stranded tinned ground braid that I attach
to my shrouds. However, this cannot be used underway because it would
trail in the water. I do not want to attach the sheet directly to the
hull because of my fears of 10E12 watts being disspiated against my
hull in 50 microseconds.
However, why not wrap the sheet around the rudder and use the ground
braid to attach it to the backstay? This would give plenty of surface
area and keep it away from the hull. A strike might disable my rudder
but I have a backup rudder I could use.
Having been stuck by lightning while underway I've found the best
prevention method is prayer. :-) Prior to being struck I hadn't
thought of this. Now I do it every time I see the thunder clouds. I
have yet to see a definitive article or paper on the best way to
protect a boat. Mine was a wing keel (keel stepped mast and I feel
the large surface area helped to dissipate the charge, keeping the
damage down to all the electronics,alternator, masthead array, mast
wiring,lights and a burnt headsail. No holes. My thru hulls weren't
bonded but there were burn marks in the bottom paint (treeing) at all
the thru hulls and at the gudgeon at the rudder. I have been told
that the jumper cable to the shrouds method doesn't work that well
because the charge travels faster thru the aluminum (mast) rather than
stainless (shrouds). If it makes you feel better go with it!

Rick Itenson
La Belle Aurore
Toronto

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