Lightning Article

reedbr · January 18, 2006, 10:50:11 AM

Apparently the may 2004 Mainsheet issue had a good article on Lightning protection. I'm looking to find out what is in my deck-stepped C34 MkII from the factory. A search here didn't turn up much on the newer boats and I cannot locate my copy of May '04 Mainsheet. Does anybody know where I can find that online?

Stu Jackson · January 18, 2006, 04:16:06 PM

Brain

Go to: http://www.c34.org/mainsheet/pdf/May_2004.pdf

As a C34IA member, you should have access to that.

Alternatively, go to the top of this page, click on "C34 Tech Notes" which will get you to the index.

Please let me know if this is what you need.

I don't see the lightning discussion in this May 2004 Tech Notes. If it's another magazine issue, then going to the "Tech Notes Online" Index at http://www.c34.org/techindex_top.htm (which is just like going to the top of this page, click on "C34 Tech Notes") will show you the topics.

I also suggest this earlier post Guide to the C34 Website Technical Resources which you may have seen: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2629.0

reedbr · February 06, 2006, 07:34:06 AM

OK, I'm coming back to this. So far I have found nothing on the factory installed bonding system (lightning protection) on C34's, specifically MKII's with a deck-stepped mast. I do not recall seeing a bunch of 4 and 6 guage wires attached to a keel bolt as I assume would be the standard signs of a bonding system. Next time I go down I'll take a closer look, but has anybody researched this?

Stu Jackson · February 06, 2006, 09:41:43 AM

Brian

The manual that came with our boat (1986) had a long discussion about lightning protection and explained why Catalina does nothing about it.

I would assume that they haven't changed that point of view in the past almost 20 years. The idea is, basically, it's your boat, do what you like, we can't cover every eventuality and can't take responsibility for lightning.

A not unusual, nor unrealistic point of view, as I see it.

You may want to check your manual to see if anything's changed.

There's plenty on this site about lightning protection, search-ing on this message board and reviewing the Tech Notes Index and Online.

Ron Hill · February 06, 2006, 05:13:06 PM

Brian : Look in your Catalina Owners Manual.
I'm sure that the factory included a section on lightening protection in that manual. Basically the factory does nothing to their boats for lightening protection. I've heard Frank Butler talk about this a number of times, because he feels that no matter what they do - there's still "No guarantee" that it won't strike the boat!
I've added a "positive ion dissipater" to the top of the mast.

reedbr · February 06, 2006, 07:18:18 PM

Unfortunately the manual is 100 miles away. That's why the forum is handy at times.

As a recap...

Here's where I came up with the May '04 mainsheet reference:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1418.0

Tech Notes February 1995 article regarding C34 "Serenity" that was struck in Newport some years back.
http://c34.org/mainsheet/pdf/1995_no1.pdf
and some discussion surrounding it and bonding the boat:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1270.msg6691#msg6691

And another one Stu killed before it netted any details:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1951.0

And even the HAM guys reference sailboats in their lightning research. Search this page for the word "Catalina"
http://www.qth.com/ka9fox/lightning_and_towers.txt

But this was by far the most informative page, mostly covering AC electrical systems but hey, hey, guess what? That's deep in the center of the bonding system/lightning protection discussion:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1303.0
By the way, my surveyor recommended a galvanic isolator be installed but I don't remember a lightning protection recommendation. Hey, there's the answer. The purchasing survey is within reach and should mention something. Oh yes, here it is:

"Lightning Protection: None offered by the manufacturer"

Kind of sums it all up, eh?

Stu Jackson · February 07, 2006, 10:53:21 AM

Brain

Thanks for a great roundup of information and excellent direct references.

In case anyone else's manuals aren't immediately at hand, they are available at: http://www.c34.org/manuals/index.htm

Thanks again.

Momentum M · March 12, 2006, 02:10:29 PM

Hy guys....I got a new boat last June and I can confirm what Stu says about lightning...Catalina leaves it up to you!!! Again in the owner's manual there's a write up about it so I guess that's a "copy/paste" from previous years...and as Stu says...probably for the last 20yrs.

Serge
1710

Ron Hill · March 13, 2006, 06:45:42 PM

See my post above.