We got caught offshore out of Econfina this weekend by a couple of thunderstorms. We were moving around but they were closing fast. We are always very careful and avoid bad weather at all costs. These storms formed so fast, we were stuck. Lightning bolts were popping very close by.
We lowered the antennas and removed all rods from the T top to make ourselves as low as possible and ran away from the storms.
I was wondering what would happen if a bolt hit very close to the boat or if one actually hit the boat. I can only assume I would not be writing this if we took a direct hit.
Assuming you cannot avoid the storm, what can you do to increase your odds of survival?
Lightning?
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PinFishKing
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I don't think you can do very much in a center console boat, especially with a t-top. They say to "get below decks" and don't grab metal, but with no place to go and the only thing to hold on to is a metal rail, you just pray.
I do lower the rods and antennas like you do, and hope.
Makes you wish for a WA cabin.
EJ
I do lower the rods and antennas like you do, and hope.
Makes you wish for a WA cabin.
EJ
What you do is hope you are as lucky as we were on Lake Siminole. Tried to wait out a storm in a cypress stand but got soaked anyway. Storm passed in about an hour but a steady sprinkle set in so we set out for landing across lake. Was running wide open in fiberglass bass boat when lightning struck the exposed trolling motor battery sitting in the floor about 18 inches from my right foot. It was as if a stick of dymomite went off in the boat with us. The motor died and the boat came to a sudden stop. I thought my ear drum was busted and kept checking for blood with my finger. We paddled to shore franticly with one paddle and a cooler lid. We bent the hitch pulling the boat up the ramp due to the weight....didn't realize it was filling with water. The bolt had blown a hole the size of a mop handle thru the bottom under the battery, and another one at the transom just below water line. All electronics and trolling moter got fried. All we felt was the blast or shock wave. It just came out of the overcast sky. A few minuets later we were sitting on a porch reflecting on why we were still here. Having been sitting up high in pedistal seats, soaking wet, in a wet boat, we shoulden't have been...So, you can survive it, just stay away from the batteries and metal, and cross your fingers....
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Fisherman989
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Lightning
There's an excellent article in the August 2005 issue of Field and Stream on lightning. It says, "Immediately preceeding a bolt of lightning low levels of electricity fill the air, causing phenomena such as the hair on your body standing on end, a tingling sensation on the skin, or a metallic tast in your mouth. If you experience any of these, a strike is imminent."
It also says that boating anglers are the most likely sportsmen to be struck by lightning.
Helpful hints from the article: 1. Heed forcast warnings of possible storms. Don't go . 2.Don't tie up under trees or overhanging banks if you're in a river or lake. 3.If caught in a storm, sit low in the boat or in it's cabin. Keep arms and legs in the boat. 4.Disconnect and then do not touch electrical equipment.
5.Lay down protruding objects like masts, rods or antennas. 6.Smaller craft can be protected with a portable lightning system, consisting of a mast, a flexible copper cable, and a metal ground plate that you drop overboard when the storm approaches.
I've never heard of item 6....don't know anything about it.
You all were one more lucky crew.
It also says that boating anglers are the most likely sportsmen to be struck by lightning.
Helpful hints from the article: 1. Heed forcast warnings of possible storms. Don't go . 2.Don't tie up under trees or overhanging banks if you're in a river or lake. 3.If caught in a storm, sit low in the boat or in it's cabin. Keep arms and legs in the boat. 4.Disconnect and then do not touch electrical equipment.
5.Lay down protruding objects like masts, rods or antennas. 6.Smaller craft can be protected with a portable lightning system, consisting of a mast, a flexible copper cable, and a metal ground plate that you drop overboard when the storm approaches.
I've never heard of item 6....don't know anything about it.
You all were one more lucky crew.