Hello Tom!  
Thanks for your light, informative and spirited reply!
TM==>(A poor Conductor is analogous to placing a Resistor between the 
Mast
TM==>and Ground!! ) IMHO, The ONLY thing a Chain has going for it is it's
TM==>Weight and the resultant tendency to stay in the Water under way.
TM==>However, a weighted length of heavy-Duty Flexible Braid would provide a
TM==>MUCH more efficient Ground for the Mast.
TM==>SYRINX has a mast some 50+ feet above the Waterline, and i have had
TM==>hits as near as 15-20' off the aft quarter more than once. And probably 

TM==>Dozen hits within 100' over our 8+ years of cruising. We have NEVER been
TM==>hit, although boats 100' away crossing the gulf Stream with us were,
TM==>losing all Electronics and Lighting..
Remind me never to sail near you in a thunderstorm! ;-)
TM==>The successful plan on SYRINX (with it's plethora of Electronics, 
Ham
TM==>Gear, Computers, and Antenas ALL over the place!!), has been to take
TM==>a Wide piece of heavy Flexible Braid and Clamp it to the (uninsulated)
TM==>Backstay with a Large Electrical-U-Clamp - It is sufficiently long to
TM==>stay in the Water even in violent tossing, and is weighted pretty
TM==>adequately by it's own mass. (Although a piece of Lead shoved up inside
TM==>the Braid and soldered/Clamped in place wouldn't hurt, I suspect) Except
TM==>for Anchoring or Storing in the water for extended periods of time, this
TM==>Braid is NOT left in the Water between Storms, as it IS susceptible to
TM==>Corrosion if left submerged a long time..
Where I sail, there is no salt.
TM==>In addition, I have a #2 Copper cable running from the Mast Tabernacle
TM==>Bolts directly down to a fairly large (around 2" x 10") Copper-Alloy
TM==>Porous Grounding Block on the Hull..
TM==>Lightning can be VERY dangerous, as well as fatal, of course. 
Respect it!
Hey Tom, I take potential death very seriously, right up there with 
taxes!
TM==>There IS a theoretical 60-degree "Cone of Protection" ( /|\ ) beneath a
TM==>well-grounded Mast or pole, but Lightning often forgets to follow the
TM==>Rules!! (as we have all seen!! )
At least it's nice to have the "rules" on one's side   
TM==>She has been floating in a Marina now here in Merritt Island FL 
for
TM==>over 7 years now, with other boats having been struck around us, and
TM==>still remains unscathed! (Hmmm.. Maybe it's that St. Christopher Medal
TM==>on the Mast Step??? )
There's that pattern again  the boats around you get hit, you 
don't!  If I'm ever sailing in Fla. I don't want to anchor near you 
:-)
TM==> And, Sorrowfully, because of Heart and Polio
TM==>problems, she is going to be for sale soon.. :-(. . .
Aww Tom.  I'm really sorry to hear that!  Now for heart, there are 
lots of gradual exercise programs that can strengthen and bring it up 
to par, aren't there?  
Polio, suppose that's more formidable.  
Maybe there will be a "virtual sailor's" program for computers, that 
will compensate in a minor way.
Best wishes.
Murray
 
 * Live an E.P.I.C. Lifestyle - Enthusiastic, Positive, In Control :=)
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