> DW>G'Day Tim.
 
 >  TM> Has anybody used any of the lightning detectors while out on their
 >  TM> boats?
 
 > DW>The *best* lightning detector is an AM radio.  You can hear the
 > DW>interferance cause by lightning when the storm is 20 miles or more away
 JA> Pardon me for being dumb. But you can see lightning for more than
 JA> 20 miles away. Is there really such a problem that inclement weather
 JA> can't be seen? I know all about sudden squals and t-storms but they
 JA> are almost always forecast by the NWS. 
 JA> Jamie
True perhaps, but during the day when my consentration has drifted to
the fun at hand I may not have my head on a swivel looking for
lightning.  I definitly wouldn't rely on the NWS to bring me up to
the minute weather forcast, especially from the Ft Worth center as
they do the weather broadcast out of Waco also.  A prerecorded
weather announcment just doesn't qualify for me. Reminds me of a few
days ago when the NWS was warning of possible severe thunder storms
and the local Fire Depts and ham repeaters were reporting tornadoes on
the ground...
I don't carry anything with me on the water to detect dangerous
weather at all, except for my eyes.  I have been the unfortunate one
to be swamped in sudden storms though (thank goodness they put all of
that foam in most boats now, could have been a long swim), and have
managed to survive so far (knock on wood).  But if someone would like
to take extra precautions to attempt to keep himself and possibly his
family and friends safe, then I say "more power to 'em". Shoot man,
don't dog the the guy, maybe he just likes to have all kinds of
gizmos around.
Please don't take this as a flame as it is not intended to be.  I
just wouldn't want someone to feel as though they asked a stupid
question, as we all know which question is stupid... :)
(For those of you that don't it's the one thats never asked)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And I truly believe this.
Well I guess I have lectured enough .
Take care, and happy boating,
Michael Sessions
msessions@juno.com
 
 
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