New to sailing and Daysailers

[brett2634]

I have a weather question for you guys today. I recently purchased a 79 DS II that I have sailed once now, but would like to make a second successful trip this weekend.

To preface my question, I live in Pensacola, Florida, where we have a chance of thunderstorms just about every day during the summer. So, what should I do if I am sailing, look up and see a storm coming, and I can't make it to shore before the lightning hits? Should I just fire up the 7 hp sears gamefisher and try to reach land asap or crawl in the cuddy?

Thanks,
Brett

[albanysailer]

http://forum.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... =lightning

Try out that link. I like the last post that says get near a boat with a taller mast!

If it were me, I'd probably drop sail and motor to shore...

[brett2634]

That is interesting. I think I will just try to stay close to shore if the weather looks remotely bad or if there is a least bit of chance of a thunderstorm.

[mtheut]

I'll be racing the Chicago to Mackinac race this weekend. Needless to say I will be on a J120 and not a DSII Thunderstorms and lightning are always on your mind when the weather turns. If you get caught up in this type of weather, stay low and away from the mast and shrouds. I don't think I would go into the cuddy. I agree with the previous post. Fire up your egg beater and get to shore if possible.

[bkafer]

look up on line faraday cage its a way to be protected from being hit by lightening. By attaching a heavy wire to each stay and dropping them in the water, you create the Faraday cage.
Anything between the mast and the stays should be safe from harm.

A lightening dissipator on your mast is suppose to stop the lightening before it starts

heres a company that sells them, with info.
http://www.sailtechmarine.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=LDTMH

I've been in Fl, in the summer ( last 3 weeks in fact)
The storms come thru from 3 to 5 every afternoon.
The best way is to be near shore. Also you can see them from a long way off
so you should have time to get to land.

[Roger]

clip the chain to your shroud, and dip it at least a foot into the water. This won'd save you but it does create a more direct route to the water than through you. (Remember that our bodies are 70% water.

I would then fire up the motor and head for shore asap.