HELP!-TYPHOON & LIGHTENING STRIKES!

[Bob Marona]

I HOPE A TY OWNER WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THIS BOAT'S SUSCEPTABILITY TO LIGHTENING WOULD ADVISE ME. IS A "GROUND" BUILT INTO THE TY? IF NOT, CAN YOU ADVISE ME AS TO THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THIS SHIP? LIGHTENING IS DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO SLOOPS IN THIS AREA (NY/CT) LATELY.

THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO, OR LEADS TO THE WHERABOUTS OF SUCH INFO, WE WILL NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO PROTRECT OURSELVES FROM LIGHTENING ON THE TY WEEKENDER.

BOB MARONA



RNMDMCD@AOL.COM

[Dan Hanlon]

I HOPE A TY OWNER WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THIS BOAT'S SUSCEPTABILITY TO LIGHTENING WOULD ADVISE ME. IS A "GROUND" BUILT INTO THE TY? IF NOT, CAN YOU ADVISE ME AS TO THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THIS SHIP? LIGHTENING IS DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO SLOOPS IN THIS AREA (NY/CT) LATELY.

THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO, OR LEADS TO THE WHERABOUTS OF SUCH INFO, WE WILL NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO PROTRECT OURSELVES FROM LIGHTENING ON THE TY WEEKENDER.

BOB MARONA

There is really only one thing to do. Insure your boat!! The bottom line with lightning is that it is unpredictable and uncontrolable. Stay off the boat when lightning is in the forcast, insure the boat and don't worry about it. An acquaintence who is a marine salvage expert has told me of several boats that have gone down or been heavily damaged here in the Chicago area. The one common theme of his stories is that no two strikes were similar in the way the lightning traveled through the boat, regardless of grounding configurations or lack there of. Having a grounding system may help if you are stuck out on the water when lightning is in the area, but watching the weather and staying home during storms works best.



djhhan@aol.com

[Dave]

I have a 25CD with the lightening grounding. This has made we wonder... Why would I want to attract lightning to my boat? There are ways that you can help protect your boat. One way is to attach battery cables to the bottom of the mast at the down hall ring or a stay. Then attach the other end to a piece of metal and throw it overboard, but again how much are you increasing your chances of damage with a strike. I think the best thing to do was is to insure the boat and stay safe. The only other rule that I use is always anchor or moor next to someone with a taller mast then yours.

Dave
25' CD R&R

I HOPE A TY OWNER WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THIS BOAT'S SUSCEPTABILITY TO LIGHTENING WOULD ADVISE ME. IS A "GROUND" BUILT INTO THE TY? IF NOT, CAN YOU ADVISE ME AS TO THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THIS SHIP? LIGHTENING IS DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO SLOOPS IN THIS AREA (NY/CT) LATELY.

THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO, OR LEADS TO THE WHERABOUTS OF SUCH INFO, WE WILL NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO PROTRECT OURSELVES FROM LIGHTENING ON THE TY WEEKENDER.

BOB MARONA

ddsailor25@ureach.com

[Anthony P. Jeske]

Bob:
Lightning rods, a grounding system for buildings, has a long history of success. I believe that grounding systems for boats are effective too. I had owned a Cape Dory that was hit by lightning. I believe the ground system helped reduce damage to the boat. (the only item damaged was not tied into the grounding system.)
I don't believe Typhoon's have a factory installed grounding system.
The book every sailor should own, Chapman's Piloting, has a nice section on how to install permanent or temporary grounding in your boat. You may want to look at that chapter for some help.
I believe any reasonably handy person could install a permanent grounding system in a Ty. It would be a good winter project.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
CD-25D Carpe Diem #141
In lightning free San Diego



ajeske@ixpres.com