[Rhodes22-list] advice on ground for battery

[SVGravityLeak at aol.com]

Lou,

If you're sailing on something larger than an inland lake, lightening 
protection is a good idea.  On fresh water here in the Great Lakes, most stories of 
lightening striking a sailboat in open water are pretty horrific.

However, as Rummy points out, without grounding the mast neither occupants 
nor the boat will be protected.  Many deck stepped masts around here are 
grounded to a solid lead keel thru an aluminum compression post.  But, that's hard to 
accomplish on an R22 with no compression post and a shot filled keel.

I carry five battery cables that I clamp to the outer shrouds and the mast 
itself when I'm caught under thunder clouds.  The end of each cable that goes in 
the water is frayed and they have a sponge collar to protect the hull 
gelcoat.  If I live through a tingle, I'll let you know that it actually works.

Fred

In a message dated 11/2/2004 2:20:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
lsr3 at MAIL.nyu.edu writes:
Rummy,
  points well taken about the lightning protection.
  L

>Lou,
>I'm not trying to discourage you from doing something you obviously feal 
>strongly about, but, the R22 is a deck step masted boat, not a keel stepped. 
>There is a huge difference when you are talking about vulnerability 
>to lightning 
>strikes.
>My very personal opinion is that grounding the rigging on a R22 is a waste 
>of time and materials. Your time would be better spent sailing instead of 
>working on your boat.
>I would recommend doing further research on the topic before jumping in  with
>both feet. As someone on the list previously stated, they knew of very few 
>masted boats that have actually been struck. I personally don't know of any. 
>I've seen more houseboats and cruisers zapped while tied up at the 
>marina than 
>anywhere. (metal roofs)
>
>Rummy