Thunder

O

Ordutch1975

New member
My wife and I got caught out in thunder right next to us (IE flash and sound at same time no delay). this made me wonder - is there a concern with a boat on the water with thunder? We put our radio antenna down just in case lol.
 
I've gotten caught in a few storms, twice with lightning all around me. I tried not to touch anything metal. I too thought about bringing my VHF antennas down, but didn't want to have a hold of them or the bracket if they were hit! Just kept my fingers crossed and said a few prayers! :shock: All the advice says get off the water. That's not always practical. When I had the Searay, with the cabin "down below", I always felt a bit safer hiding in the cabin. But I'm sure in reality, that wasn't any safer!
 
Yes lightening can be dangerous on any boat. I get antennas down, disconnnect all of the electronics, including antennas, and ground wires. (Same as I did in bigger boats). stay away from anything which is grounded. Anchoring is probably the best Pllan, especiallly if you can find a protected cove. C Dory is difficult to put in an lightning dissipator, as one would use on the top of a sailboat mast, with a ground plate right under the mast.

Probably the safest place is in the V berth. Safety rules generally dictate that small craft should not bout if lighting is within 10 miles. There are cases of person being struck even when no clouds.
 
Thunder can be bone rattling. Thunder can be awesome.
Thunder can scare you.

But remember, it's lightening that does the work.

Aye.
 
Hey Folks,

I'll throw my half-penny in for the folks with smaller CDs. My wife and I have ridden out several pop-up thunderstorms, which are common here in the southeast during the summer.

We gunkhole on Lake Wateree and are usually anchored in a cove with a bow and stern anchor. When a thunderstorm comes we do like Thataway, we put down all antennas, turn off all electrical devices and turn the batteries off.

My wife will get up in the bow berth and I'll put a throwable cushion on the deck between the seats and sit there. The little CD 16 Cruiser goes bow heavy with two adults in the forward section so any rainwater runs forward. In a pop-up thunder storms there is heavy rain, lots of lightening and high winds. Fortunately, they are usually of short duration.

As a side note: We keep several Folgers plastic coffee cans (big ones and little ones) on board as they are excellent to store toilet paper and other small items in that you don't want wet.

They are also excellent for bailing out water, catching rain water, can be used for emergency anchors, etc. They can also be used as emergency floatation devices.

Anyway...just my half-penny for us smaller CDers.

Take care and be safe out there.
Spuncopper
 
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