Lightning Strikes

[Richie]

My 86 # 113 "Pazzo" is not bonded. Does anyone know if a deck stepped mast....not bonded is still a lightning conductor? I know little about this...I do not know if by bonding, you are inviting a strike, since you have provided a groung.
I'm a little confused on this one...

Thanks

[Richie]

Thanks Ron....
I think I will bond it...I would just feel safer...

Rich

[Ted Pounds]

I don't think grounding makes a difference either way in attracting lightning.  I've been hit by lightning three different times while flying.  And up in the air we certainly were not grounded.  I did ground my mast (keel stepped) to the keel.  The reason  is to give the lightning some place to go if it does hit.  I've heard and read stories of lightning getting to the base of the mast and, with no place to go, blowing a good sized hole in the bottom of the boat.  Like Ron says, though,  you can ask more people and get different answers.  

Ted

[Stu Jackson]

Lightning

The new May 2004 Mainsheet magazine has a long article on lightning.

Not the first, probably not the last.

Stu