storm
Submitted by jutt on Mon, 2012-02-27 09:32
took this nightshift 24/02/12, archipeligo islands took a hamering, any one have ideas on what will happen if hit on the water by one of these?
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makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Lightning strike
I spoke to a guy at Shark Bay who had been hit by lightning on the way back from Steep Point. Exploded the plexiglass windscreen and the radio aerial, embedding fibreglass splinters in those on board. Melted everything electrical on the boat. Blew holes in the bottom of the glass hull. Fried the electrics in the outboard. Luckily nobody killed, and the boat stayed afloat. They drifted into shore over towards Useless Loop and were able to attract the attention of another boat with flares. Could have been a very different story if out wide, or the boat sank!
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Wonder how big this lightning
Wonder how big this lightning strike was? A big one like in jutts photo would surely destroy anything within 10mtrs ?
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18025
Date Joined: 11/03/08
thats a great pic. sort of
thats a great pic. sort of thing i would have mounted on my wall.
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
jutt
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 09/01/12
I have a Coraline 580 with a
I have a Coraline 580 with a hard top, i would imagine that the aerials and hardtop would take the strike but where would it go to earth, through a single point or all over?? I took several dozen pics like the first one, a hell of a night it was.
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
I lowered the aeials and put
I lowered the aeials and put all my graphite rods on the bottom of the boat once to circle around a large lightning storm on one occasion. I felt like a baitfish hiding in a school of tuna (very nervous). made it in with no problems in the end. Yep I was wondering what would happen or if it would go to earth. Note lighting does not strike the tallest object (ie a boat on water) it will take the path of least resitance to ground which could be the water next to the boat.
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ANDY AUTO SPARKY
Posts: 4
Date Joined: 09/09/11
Lightning strike
I agree with Paul H that the lightning will take the path of least resistance to ground, but bear in mind that aluminium is a far better conductor of electricity than air. It all depends on how far you are from the point of origin of the lightning. I know this from experience, as last wednesday my truck was hit by lightning during a stom near Indee station and written off. I was doing 110km/h at the time. It hit the flag on the ROPS and exited through the wheels. Fried all electronics on the vehicle and shut everything down. Have to do battle with the insurance company now. I will be like a dog curled up in the corner whenever there is lightning around from now on......
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
At least my boat is
At least my boat is fibreglass, but I knew the aerials and graphite rods would not mix well. Also anything wet (even an insulator) can potentially become a conductor as the current can run around the outside through the water.
Jeez struck by lightning at 110km/hr - not what I'd want particularly if you lose power brakes and steering - good luck with the insurers.
Cheers
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