[MAKO69]

http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/columns/electronicsc/0503electronics/

good read for all, pretty informative for those who fish the summer hazy - hot and humid days... be careful out there

 

[MakoMike]

Mako69's link

 

[PURSUIT2]

Good article. I was always nervous because of my Tower, but feel better after reading this:

"Lightning can strike cloud to cloud harmlessly, cloud to water harmlessly, or cloud to water via your boat. While it?s true that sailboats with their tall masts are more susceptible to hits than powerboats, that is not the whole story. Tall masts and tuna towers also provide what?s called a cone of protection. If you have a significant conductor overhead, and you can stay out of the conductive chain to ground, you are safer."

Just gotta stay out of that "Conductive Chain to Ground"

 

[MakoMike]

I did an article about this a couple of years ago. The mast or tower might provide some protection if it is grounded, most towers are not, they are just bolted into the fiberglass. Sail boat masts are usually grounded to the lead in the keel. Big Difference! I've been caught out in a t-storm a couple of times, I just used the autopilot and kep my hands away from the wheel and the tower, fortunately we were never hit.