Lightning - What do you do?

General Boats and Motors
1

Hey Guys;

im starting to venture further off shore, got XM weather which I love, but wanted to know what y’all do in the event of lightening?
Assuming lower antenna, rods out of holders etc, but do you keep making a run for it?

thx

I’m not a Dr, those are my initials and I cant edit my user name. Please do not contact me regarding medical issues :slight_smile:

2

Don’t know how true it is. But my theory is a moving Target is harder to hit.

I am fragile.
Not like a flower.
But like a bomb.

3

Don’t worry about it doc,if a bullet or a lightning bolt has your name on it,nothing you can do bout it. I should have been dead years ago.haha

4

DT, run around if you can but, summer storms tend to widen quickly and you could find yourself farther away and, at some point, just having to just go through it.

As far as lightning, it does like to hit the highest point but, lowering that antenna could create a situation where you can no longer talk to the folks you need to. Such as giving Coast Guard coordinates as to where you are.

Some folks don’t push offshore for this reason in the summer. The problem most always comes up between where you are and home.

NN

5

Thanks guys. Wondered if I was missing something basic.

I’m not a Dr, those are my initials and I cant edit my user name. Please do not contact me regarding medical issues :slight_smile:

6

Something I have done to all my boats. I get inside the console and run a battery cable from the ground side of my batteries to the T top frame. The ground side of the batteries is connected to the outboard engine block that is part of the lower unit (in the salt water). If lightning hits the T top it will have a straight path to the ocean that does not involve my body!

When I lived on Little Torch key, a neighbor was found in his boat in the mangroves dead. From the burns on his hands it looked like he had been driving the boat with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the T top frame when it was hit by lightning.

ZX

7

Nothing,if its my time its my time…there is no where to run to anyway 30-50 miles out.

SAFMC you suck!

8

WE JUST TUCK UNDER THE T-TOP AND DONT TOUCH ANYTHING METAL, HOPING IT WORKS LIKE A FARADAY CAGE. MABYE WISHFUL THINKING, WHO KNOWS.

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING