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Post by mhofmann on May 1, 2008 14:39:24 GMT
A year ago I bought a new Sun Odyssey 42 DS. I am sailing on lake Constance, a large lake with Swiss, German and Austrian borders.
My wife is always worried about lightning strikes. Does anyone know how Jeanneau boats are protected against lightning?
Thanks and all the best.
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Post by Zanshin on May 1, 2008 15:41:27 GMT
I don't think that there is any factory lighting bonding system installed at all. The mast is deck-stepped, so unless there is a conductor at the base of the mast the current might use the stays (hmm, they aren't grounded, either). When in a T-Storm on my 43DS I put the autopilot on, don't touch any metal parts and wish that I had some deity to pray to...
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Post by MartyB on May 1, 2008 19:19:38 GMT
re Zan wishing he had a deity to pray to when in a t-storm............ not sure I am going to buy that one, if you saw pics of his two crew, He is doing just fine, and probably in good hands too! ;D ;D ;D Marty
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Post by Zanshin on May 2, 2008 9:20:15 GMT
MartyB - lol, they certainly aren't hard on the eyes; that's for sure! But I didn't have them aboard during my last T-Storm night crossing from St. Maarten to the BVI. Those CuNims just followed me the whole stretch and I really was afraid to touch anything metallic. I hear that even with (heavy & expen$ive) lightning protection the chances of any electronics surviving a direct hit are pretty slim. At least the mast is aluminum, I've seen pictures of carbon fiber masts after a hit and they are toast.
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Post by Trevor on May 5, 2008 3:06:52 GMT
Hello, I have seen the effects of lightning many times ( I worked at a TV transmission station) and each time my observation was the outcome was seemingly unpredictable. The energy is so extreme that to think one can harness and direct the surge through a predetermined and logical path is almost inconceivable. I understand that the stepped mast may seem like an impediment to the energy reaching the ground (water) but if it has traveled 30 kilometers to get to your mast, 3mm through any insulator that the mast is sitting on is irrelevant. I hate to sound defeatist, but any attempt I have seen to direct lighting that has actually been put to the test has failed and the results are very interestingly unpredictable. I am now simply in awe of the power of lighting and when I think of "lightning protection" I understand an attempt has to be made but don't bet my bottom dollar on the outcome. ;D Regards and happy sailing, Trevor .
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