I’m wondering how you guys deal with being off the beaches several miles when a lightning storm comes up. What are some ways to protect yourself and passengers, equipment, batteries, electronics? I have a walkaround cuddy. Just looking for some safety ideas if they exist when it comes to this topic.
I am not sure there is anything you can really do…just pray you are not real conductive…
I usually just bend over and kiss my @ss goodbye… 
07 Scout Winyah Bay 221 Yamaha F150
Do something like Lee Trevino, says to do when caught in a lighting storm on the Golf course! He says to grab a 1 iron out of the bag and hold it straight above your head, because not even God can hit a 1 iron! I guess a Gaff would have to be used on a boat:wink: I guess if your number is up, not much you can do!
There is a special note for boaters that could help you in this link!
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/families_and_consumers/lightning_safety.html
I don’t worry about it. If it wants you it will get you no matter where you are. Worrying about lightning is like worrying about sharks. You’d never get in the water if you thought about it too hard.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Drive around it. Not kidding. We used to to that in the Navy pretty regularly.
Want to keep flight ops going?
Drive around the storm cells.
Dont want to get fried by lightning?
Drive around it.
Dont like the guy fishing in your spot?
Pull up right next to him, maybe it’s his turn.
If you have a gaff or something else long and conductive, I think it may help to possibly tie it off on the side of the boat in some fashion that it is the highest point and also in the water. Maybe I’m over thinking things but I would think it would channel the power directly into the water and bypass the boat. Just like a lightning rod on land I would think.
2012 Carolina Skiff J14, 25 Merc, Jackplate
My son and I were on the Cooper near the marina on Saturday and had lightning within 3-4 seconds away. That was close to the bridge or downtown Charleston. We got as low in the boat as we could and didn’t touch anything metal. It was a little nerve wrecking, but it was the best we could do.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 19 year old (boy of leisure)
1 - 1 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
Someone mentioned not too long ago about getting shocked in an aluminum boat… I believe it was a fiberglass vs. aluminum hull post…
Whatever you do…do not try to use a metal gaff or anything else to divert lightning. Youre inviting a disaster.Ive done well over half a million dollars in lightning protection design build contracts and can assure you that is something you should never do !
quote:
Originally posted by B in BeaufortWhatever you do…do not try to use a metal gaff or anything else to divert lightning. You
re inviting a disaster.Ive done well over half a million dollars in lightning protection design build contracts and can assure you that is something you should never do !
Is the B for Benji C.?
Wear shoes with the thickest rubber sole you can find and wear rubber gloves (thickest)…and most importantly pray!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
My friends and I were fishing beresford creek a few yrs ago and it started popping lightning all around. We took shelter in a covered dock. A strike hit a tree 50 yds from us. The bark landed at our feet and we could smell burning wood. Scared the **** out of me! I’m scared of lightning!!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
I only fish inshore these days. But, I used to fish nearshore reefs/wrecks a lot. Best defense is avoid days with a high probability of storms, fish early and get home early in the summer, and yes pray! If you are off the beaches after 2pm, you can expect storms. I used to fish 1st light till lunchtime, then home. The fish bit best then. The summertime bite usually was poor after late morning anyway. My inshore rule is head for the hill when you first hear thunder. Don’t wait for the sparks!
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I’ve always wondered even with a direct hit over water if it would do much. Figure salt water is one of the better conductors and your talking about a HUGE grounding field to disperse it. 
Years ago Dad got a shock while holding the throttle on a hand till. Said it wasn’t as bad as an electric fence. I was in my brothers lap scared to death.
I think a direct hit and you’re at your “final destination”! Hope you’re right with the Man! I can remember one trip years ago on the way back in from the Betsy in a 23ft T-Craft. Black squall line on the beaches. As we got close to the sound, the clouds took on that weird “green glow”, the wind started whipping, and the “artillery” started popping. Great for your prayer life!
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
quote:
Originally posted by Fred67I’ve always wondered even with a direct hit over water if it would do much. Figure salt water is one of the better conductors and your talking about a HUGE grounding field to disperse it.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>For now… I am going with this response. ^^^^ But, Inshore… I use the ‘One last kiss on my butt’ before, I make my final reckoning method. Worked so far.
I have been told to get inside the cabin if you can’t outrun the storm and close all windows. Just wondering if this is something anyone else has heard. I definately beleive in the power of prayer and faith in God, but I think sometimes he lets you get into situations to test the brain he gave you as well.
I’ve been out in about 40-60’ with my cousins before and ducked two or three storms in one day. It wasn’t that hard to do. Lightning was popping pretty good. Gotta have faith. If I see many I’m going to the hill. I too believe in go early 'til lunch - back by 2 at the latest and you usually are ok.
Once on an all day gulf stream trip in the Thunderstar we had black cloud that went as far as you could see north to south. Capt said “no ducking this one” - it got nasty! - like you say the sky had a green shade to it - got to about 10’ seas and tight. Had some lightning hit close by and hair on my arm stood up. It was not comfortable!
J Ford
You can’t catch 'um on the couch!
Tampa bay has , I think, more lightning than any place in the country. I spent childhood and teen years there and can remember a neighbors boat being hit by lightning–messed it up! Back in the eighties I was living down in the Fla. keys and came up with a degree of lightning protection. I am not guaranteeing this or offering it as total protection. If anything it just makes me feel better.
I run a battery cable from the T-top legs inside the console to the negative side of the battery. The negative side of your battery is connected to your outboard block. If you will check it, your lower unit is bolted to the engine block and the lower unit is in the salt water. This gives the lightning a straight shot to the water. I have never seen this as an option or seen it published anywhere and I sure as **ll am not making any guarantees. It just makes me feel better. But think about it----
ZX