Re: Digest Number 640

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Posted by David and Sally Jensen (hopalongsail@…>)

You might take a look at the following articles if you haven’t already:
http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=hughes0006,
http://www.practical-sailor.com/newspics/charts/85Questions9.pdf

I have read similar comments elsewhere. I would query a carbon fiber
mast manufacturer or two about this before making a big decision.
Perhaps Mark Edwards has some experience with this as well. Cheers.


freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com wrote:

There are 2 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

 1. Was I hit by lightning?
      From: "ajlorman" <ajlorman@...>
 2. Re: Was I hit by lightning?
      From: JoanJohn@...

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 06 Aug 2005 22:14:25 -0000
From: “ajlorman” <ajlorman@…>
Subject: Was I hit by lightning?

When I paid a visit to Ab Initio today, I discovered a few things
out of order. The more I found out of order, the more I began to
think that she’d been hit by lightning. I don’t know of any way to
know for sure, so I’ll describe the damage and hope one of you is
more skilled in this than I.

The bilge pump was running nonstop. It was a Rulemate 1100 with
internal magnetic switch. (Replaced with identical model using
existing
wires and new one works fine.)

VHF, AM/FM/CD, and all electronics dead with blown fuses. Replacing
the fuses didn’t solve the problem; they just blew as well.

Battery charger not operational when I arrived, although it did
work after flicking AC breaker on and off.

Cabin AC outlet ground fault circuit interrupter tripped
whenever AC circuit breaker turned on.

Some evidence of burn marks at VHF antenna junction box under sink
in head, but no other visible signs of lightning damage either
inside or
outside. Of course, are there any?

Since the DC panel circuit breakers were all off at the time, it
seems that the lightning, if that is what it was, traveled down the
VHF antenna to the VHF, AM/FM/CD and to ground, and that the charge
from ground worked its way back to the other electronics and to the
engine lights.

Any other theories or things I should check? Do I need to worry
about unseen damage to the mast?

I will probably call an electrician on Monday, but I wanted to hear
what this group had to say before I did.

Many thanks.

Al Lorman
F30 Ab Initio

Lights, facsm etc., OK.

Engine turned over but idiot lights/alarms dead.

Message: 2
Date: Sat, 6 Aug 2005 23:27:05 EDT
From: JoanJohn@…
Subject: Re: Was I hit by lightning?

Yes sir, a classic ‘indirect’ lighting hit. Not a big blast to hole through
the boat or set things on fire, but a high voltage surge that probably split
off from a nearby strike and surged through your boat.

Another good reason to practice DR on paper charts as backup to GPS
failures. This kind of thing can do it and you’ld feel nothing more than your
hair
standing on end.

Your insurance should cover it.

Good luck.

John Ernst
Destiny
Hertford, NC

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