12/27/2007 04:31:53 PM
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hidro
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 12/25/2007
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Hi all. We have been houseboating for a year now and were wondering.... Is lightning a problem for houseboats? We have been in several storms now with some severe lightning. Should we be concerned in those situations? Is there something built in houseboats that keep one safe in an electrical storm? If so what is it? Our boat is a 1985 model and I would like to make sure everything is hooked up correctly. Back in the day of the fishing boat, when a big storm rolled in, we headed for the trailer... Thanks in advance for your input. Glen
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1985 Gibson 44
Twin 270 Crusaders
Defeated Creek Marina
Cumberland River TN
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12/27/2007 06:37:13 PM
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hidro
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 12/25/2007
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Thanks Ted. Some very interesting and thought provocing reading. I found myself wandering through other topics on that site and book marked it for future musing.
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1985 Gibson 44
Twin 270 Crusaders
Defeated Creek Marina
Cumberland River TN
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12/28/2007 12:48:55 PM
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alreadygone
Admiral
Posts: 792
Joined: 02/07/2004
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There's been some discussion here in the past also. Try a search here for lightening.
Bob
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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.
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12/28/2007 09:13:18 PM
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Ike
Admiral
Posts: 264
Joined: 07/24/2006
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Look Here http://www.marinelightning.com/consulting.htm and here http://www.marinelightning.com/science.htm#Solutions
Ewen Thompson is probably the #1 expert on lightning
Lightning can be a problem but the single number one rule is Get Off The Water!
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Ike "Don't tell me I can't. Tell me how I can!" New Boat Builders Home PageMy Boating Safety BlogMy Boat Building News Blog
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12/29/2007 08:34:21 AM
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hidro
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 12/25/2007
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I agree its definately the best practice to get off the water if possible, but we usually go out for several days at a time and more often than not, we cant just get out of the way. Just close the hatches and ride it out. Would rather not get hit by a million volts tho....
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1985 Gibson 44
Twin 270 Crusaders
Defeated Creek Marina
Cumberland River TN
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12/29/2007 02:56:32 PM
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
Super moderator
Posts: 1520
Joined: 10/18/2002
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As a group golfers aren't as intelligent as boaters!!!
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
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12/29/2007 05:05:20 PM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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Somehow I suspect we're all in about the same category....
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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12/30/2007 05:28:41 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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If the lightning bolt producer is going to send it after you, there is little that can be done. I have seen some very strange things with direct hits.
But, yes, of course, use the brains you were blessed with.
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Banana Tom
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12/30/2007 08:58:21 AM
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hidro
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 12/25/2007
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After reading the sites that Ike sent, it seems that systems are out there to track strikes down to a submerged mat underwater. I work at a hidro electric plant and our grounding mats are extensive copper grids submerged in the forebay. Our Gibson has a radar arch (aluminum) and even with the antennaes lowered, it is still the highest point of the boat. It isnt bonded to anything but the fiberglass of the flybridge. It wouldnt be a problem to link it to the outdrives to give a path to ground. Although the radar aray is still the highest point and more than likely would track any current directly to the helm.... Oh well like Banana Tom said if you are on the list....
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1985 Gibson 44
Twin 270 Crusaders
Defeated Creek Marina
Cumberland River TN
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12/30/2007 11:49:52 AM
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hidro
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 12/25/2007
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Roger that. I think most of the aforementioned are gimicks which main goal is to seperate you from your money. Apparently this is not a real problem like was said earlier more golfers are struck than boaters. It seems like many are thinking about it, but probably nothing to be concerned with.
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1985 Gibson 44
Twin 270 Crusaders
Defeated Creek Marina
Cumberland River TN
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12/31/2007 09:49:29 PM
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Ike
Admiral
Posts: 264
Joined: 07/24/2006
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Ted, Happy New Year
Apparently the latest system by Ewen Thompson is quite different. It's what he calls the Great Harbor System because he has been using a Great Harbor cruiser as a test boat. If you look at http://www.marinelightning.com/science.htm#Solutions you will see he now recommends a system that essentially surrounds the boat rather than being a direct path tp ground. It's too complex to explain here.
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Ike "Don't tell me I can't. Tell me how I can!" New Boat Builders Home PageMy Boating Safety BlogMy Boat Building News Blog
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01/01/2008 09:42:27 AM
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alreadygone
Admiral
Posts: 792
Joined: 02/07/2004
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Obviously the advice "get off the water" is soundest, but we are talking HOUSEBOATS here. Houseboat= slow, cumbersome,slow,in a cove a long way from dock, slow, toys, bank ropes etc, scattered all about, slow. If one never leaves the dock when there's a chance of lightning one soon becomes a dock queen. Even at that, some of the moments notice,out of nowhere blows with electrical that we've been caught in over the years were so localized that if you weren't glued to weather radar they'd have had your asse before you knew it (certainly did ours).
My personal game plan, if not already banked, is to head for nearest tall bank,bluff, into the wind and keep nose as close as possible till it blows over. This provides shelter from wind, and something in immediate area thats taller than my boat. 'Course this is on a impoundment with LOTS of tall bluffs. May be a fools gameplan, but makes me feel better and wife calmer, so it'll do till I'm zapped. Bit of a believer that when its your time you're gonna pay the piper.
Did I mention that most of these houseboats are SLOW???
Bob
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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.
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01/02/2008 08:14:57 AM
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jimg
Admiral
Posts: 367
Joined: 08/13/2006
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Like Alreadygone said, slow, big boats need to find shelter if possible and ride it out. Most storms we have been caught in blow over fairly fast, but it does make your cheeks pucker when the lightning is striking close by. 
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Riverliver
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