Lightning Strike

[chef2sail]

We experienced one of things most sailors fear most with their boats Saturday evening. We picked up a mooring in Back Creek, Annapolis, very protected area amongst 4 large marinas, lots of sailboats.

Shortly after there was a line of T storms which passed over us with vivid lightning. We were down below in the salon. We turned off all electronics except our anchor light. 10 minutes into the storm, we experienced a large zap, bright flash, hair raising ( literally) bolt which hit a water tower about 200 yards from us. Nnot a direct hit to us but we must have caught a strand of electricity or an EMP. After the storm passed we noiticed some of our elctronics was not working ( anchor light, chartplotter, radar). I checked the thru hulls and they appeared fine.

We were hauled today to look for entry and exit if they exist and to make sure the hull is sound. Called the insurance to start the process of replacing equipment.

Have anyone experienced an indirect hit. Abny advice.

Dave

[TheOffice]

Dave,

My business partner had a similar issue about 5 years ago. Insurance covered the electronics without any issues but I don't recall him having the boat hauled.

Joel
C&C 35/3

[j dragon]

The same thing happened to me in Palm Beach a few weeks back. The marina was struck and I got a surge which took out my depth and knot meter, the inverter, and the alternator. Insurance took of the navigational electronics but the inverter and alternator are on me. Good luck.

[zeehag]

friends here in mexico were just hit and only the wifi antenna was torched-into wifi antenna, out thru hole in elect panel.-they had zero other damage.

good luck with your inspecting...

[chef2sail]

Our insurance is requiring a short haul to inspect thru hulls and look at the hull for signs of damage. they pay for the haul.

Thanks for your recomendations so far

It definately was a memorable moment

Dave