I do not know if my plan works, but it is the one I have for my M 15. I had a set of jumper cables made from the heaviest duty wire (biggest size) available. I cut the grip handles off and pealed the insulation back until I had only bare wire in the water and the insulation above that to keep from rubbing the hull. Then I placed a small bullnose clamp on the end that would attach to a shroud. (The 1/8" shroud was too small for the handle to grip it). The bullnose clamp flattened out the wire and made it large enough for the grip to bite it against the shroud. Now all I have to do it quickly clamp the end with the bullnose to the shroud on each side and pray that it works if needed. Well, really, pray that it isn't needed. Phil
Here are a couple of web sites to consider: http://www.thomson.ece.ufl.edu/lightning/ (Click on the link to sea grant pamplet) http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/d...0100/d000007/d000007.html I participated in a long forum discussion about this last winter and I think the gist of it was, no matter how well you prepare, or what you do, lightning is unpredictable and when your time is up, it's up. That and St. Elmo's Fire is your friend!
Interesting problem. I raced catamarans back in the day, and most racers turned their rigs turtle when the strikes got near. However, lightning is such that it can still find you upside down, so I declined to flip and did better in the standings. All I got was a point discharge and a 5 inch spark from the boom to my arm, so no big deal. The conclusion of the forum is about right. -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Howard Audsley Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 6:45 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Lightning Strike Here are a couple of web sites to consider: http://www.thomson.ece.ufl.edu/lightning/ (Click on the link to sea grant pamplet) http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/d...0100/d000007/d000007.html I participated in a long forum discussion about this last winter and I think the gist of it was, no matter how well you prepare, or what you do, lightning is unpredictable and when your time is up, it's up. That and St. Elmo's Fire is your friend! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
I've heard of this idea. Makes sense to me. The version I heard of was to attach the battery cable to the backstay and drape the other end into the water. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil & Frances" <srelt@iclub.org> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 8:59 AM Subject: M_Boats: Lightning Strike
I do not know if my plan works, but it is the one I have for my M 15. I had a set of jumper cables made from the heaviest duty wire (biggest size) available. I cut the grip handles off and pealed the insulation back until I had only bare wire in the water and the insulation above that to keep from rubbing the hull. Then I placed a small bullnose clamp on the end that would attach to a shroud. (The 1/8" shroud was too small for the handle to grip it). The bullnose clamp flattened out the wire and made it large enough for the grip to bite it against the shroud. Now all I have to do it quickly clamp the end with the bullnose to the shroud on each side and pray that it works if needed. Well, really, pray that it isn't needed. Phil
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participants (4)
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Howard Audsley -
Joe Murphy -
Phil & Frances -
Tom Jenkins