ooooh eeeeer !!

[Madhatter]

I have not done much sailing for a few weeks but was determined to go out on Saturday come rain or shine --- well that got sorted didn't it !!, out in the middle of the channel practising sailing into the wind etc with a bit of drizzle and light rain to contend with - then all hell breaks loose with that thunder storm and I can't see a bl00dy thing as the rain was stinging my eyes but I soldiered on to get back to harbour ( bearing in mind my mast was the highest thing for a few square miles ), then I remembered the Balmoral was due in any time now and I can't see a hand in front of me ,so I thought the best thing to do was motor off where the big boys cant get me and hope nobody has the same idea , wise decision no sooner had I made shallow water then saw a big dark thing looming way behind me making all sorts of grunting noises.
Well I made it back to harbour without any mishaps except soaked to the skin (wished I had kept that dreaded dry-suit/straight jacket I had tried on that morning--see my post on skuttlebutt ) but hey it was an experience to be learnt from.

 

[Sneds]

"a big dark thing looming way behind me making all sorts of grunting noises"

Sounds like my first wife!

 

[Madhatter]

"a big dark thing looming way behind me making all sorts of grunting noises"

Sounds like my first wife!

 

[Allan]

I have not done much sailing for a few weeks but was determined to go out on Saturday come rain or shine --- well that got sorted didn't it !!, out in the middle of the channel practising sailing into the wind etc with a bit of drizzle and light rain to contend with - then all hell breaks loose with that thunder storm and I can't see a bl00dy thing as the rain was stinging my eyes but I soldiered on to get back to harbour ( bearing in mind my mast was the highest thing for a few square miles ), then I remembered the Balmoral was due in any time now and I can't see a hand in front of me ,so I thought the best thing to do was motor off where the big boys cant get me and hope nobody has the same idea , wise decision no sooner had I made shallow water then saw a big dark thing looming way behind me making all sorts of grunting noises.
Well I made it back to harbour without any mishaps except soaked to the skin (wished I had kept that dreaded dry-suit/straight jacket I but hey it was an experience to be learnt from.

Great to hear that 1. You got back safe, and 2. You see it as a learning experience. May I offer a couple of comments which may help? Feel free to ignore them. I carry loads of chocolate bars on my boat, they are in a metal biscuit tin. If lightning starts, the chocolate goes in the sink, handheld VHF and GPS go into the tin and the tin goes into the oven. I dont know if it works but when I was told it seemed a good idea. I am quite protective of my eye (I only have one) when the rain or spray start to sting, I wear ski goggles. I have two pairs, one has smoked lenses, the other has yellow lenses.
Allan

 

[zlod]

That poor visibility stuff is a bad job. I came closer than I would have liked to missing fowey last weekend. It was sort of obvious we'd overshot when we saw breaking waves looming out of the fog.

 

[Cardiffcruiser]

I carry loads of chocolate bars on my boat, they are in a metal biscuit tin. If lightning starts, the chocolate goes in the sink, handheld VHF and GPS go into the tin and the tin goes into the oven. I dont know if it works but when I was told it seemed a good idea.

The tin in the oven idea is definitely sound advice, the tin forms a 'faraday cage' which you then put inside a second 'faraday cage' - the oven - for double protection.

A faraday cage transfers the electrical energy over its outer surface without allowing it to enter the box, keeping your back-up radio and GPS safe.

I work as an aircraft engineer; aircraft are full of faraday cages, or RF (Radio Frequency) and HIRF (High Intensity Radiated Field) shields as we call them.

I remember as an apprentice learning how Michael Faraday proved his theory by placing a mouse in a tin box, much like Allan's biscuit tin, and subjecting the box to massive electric currents, without the mouse being harmed - I bet the mouse left some mess in that box though!

Your car makes a near perfect faraday cage, even mounted on rubber tyres, unfortunately a boat is more of a perfect lightning conductor - and attractor!

 

[Csail]

Must admit i don't know anyone that has been struck. We got hit in the Carribean but all was fine.

 

[tico]

Got hit in the Caribbean too (White bay on JYD) took out the VHF aerial but radio was OK with spare (emergency) aerial

 

[Allan]

I believe it is quite rare. I read a few stories about it happening and I have spoken to one skipper who has been hit. In the worst cases all electronics have been damaged. This even includes things which were turned off and not connected to aerials. I should stress these are extreme cases.
Allan

 

[Morpheous]

I knew someone who got struck racing a 505 at Queen Mary. Blew a hole in the bottom of the boat and got some burns, both were ok in the end, the skipper was cheaper to heal than the boat