Hi Sandy.
SW==>For a temporary lightning protection system, I like to get an old set of
SW==>jumper cables, separate the 2 conductors (pull the thing apart because 
one
SW==>side is all that's needed), cut one clamp off, strip the insulation back 
from
SW==>all but 5 or 6 feet from the other clamp.  Just attach the clamp to a 
ap
SW==>shroud about 3 feet up the shroud and drop the bare end into the water.  
This
SW==>gives the lightning a fairly straight path outside of the boat and into 
the
SW==>salt water should it decide to come your way.
Will I have to salt the water- to improve conductivity, no doubt.  I'm 
a fresh water sailor.
SW==>Rightly so.  In a boat that small, I'd just not go sailing if 
there was that
SW==>possiblilty, and always go out only far enough to get back if bad 
eather
SW==>threatens.
Sure, pull foot-itis on me :-)  Yes.  I always try to avoid 
storms but am going on a week long trip shortly.  Odds are that 
I'll have to ride out at least one storm, likely at anchor, 
preferrably near a high shore.
SW==>Actually, St. Petersburg is the lightning capital of the world 
and that is
SW==>where I keep my boat.  There are many boats in the Tampa Bay area hit 
each
SW==>year.  Actually, the chances of getting hit are really slim, but it's 
never
SW==>nice to fool with mother nature!
Not when the stakes are so high...Life!
SW==>recommend repeating the following words: "Our Father, which art 
in heaven,
Or some variation there-of!  Yes.
SW==>quickly.  I've seen so much static charge that the entire area 
was given a
SW==>green color every where you could look, like looking through green 
glasses.
SW==>Lightning was popping everywhere, but fortunately none hit us.  It made 
me
SW==>definitely uneasy, having my hands on the stainless steel wheel!
Eeerie.  Even our relatively small storm had some almost mystical 
effects.  We were in a circle about 100 yards across with rain pelting 
down, thunder and lightening, and a bright sky overhead (just in our 
circle).  
SW==>You can tell how far away the lightning is striking by counting the 
seconds
SW==>following a flash until the thunder happens:  "one-thousand-one,
SW==>one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three", etc..
I was doing that a little.  Then I just contented myself with the idea 
that if I saw the flash and was capable of counting, then I was ok for 
the time beeing!
Happy sailing!
Murray
 
 * Live an E.P.I.C. Lifestyle - Enthusiastic, Positive, In Control :=)
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