On Sun, 9 Nov 2008 08:48:03 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

wrote:

Protecting a sailboat from lightning strikes is pretty much a fools
errand.

This document, which Larry provided the link to, contriticts you with actual
facts by researchers.

http://www.thomson.ece.ufl.edu/lightning/

See damage distribution graphs. There will usually be some damage and some
strikes will overwhelm any system. However, saying protection is pointless
is like saying it's a fools errand to wear seatbelts because some car
crashes will be fatal anyway.

Everything on the water is about odds. Stack the deck in your favor when
you can.

You seem hell-bent on installing a protection system, and I understand
the feeling. "Because I can." "Reach for the stars." "Dream the
impossible dream." (-:
Go for it.
Whenever the discussion comes up, I'm hoping for new data.
The Thomson stuff is old, and I don't see where he had convincing
data to come to a conclusion. I wish the boat insurance industry
would do some work on their data.
Are there insurance premium discounts for lightning protection systems
on boats?
I found the Sea Grant pamphlet link provided on the above the most
useful piece on lightning and boats that I've seen.
The algebra-laced IEEE paper sorely tests my attention span, but Larry
probably eats it up.

--Vic