Lightening on the lake

[EngineerRetired]

Boat destroyed by fire

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/c4...12924fa207ccc0

https://www.yahoo.com/news/lightning...172734919.html

[tkeithlu]

Lightning is the first problem. Fiberglass resin catching fire is the second. Stuff burns like greased paper.

[landsend]

Got caught in Biscayne bay,Fl in a nasty two storm pattern. Bathtub conditions. The lightning strikes scared the sh.. out of me. Nothing really you can do about it except pray?
400 gallons of fuel on board.

[tkeithlu]

Sorry you had a bad day.

I'm not sure that praying will help.

It's summer in Florida. Pretty summer day, little cummulus cloud builds up, WHAMMO!

A good route to the water for the strike may help a little - the voltage and current are such that lightning is unpredictable in its route(s) to ground. It may only scorch the paint, or it may turn your electronics into melted plastic, or it may send the fiberglass flying. Stay out of obvious conductive paths, such as metal steering, and always take fresh spare underwear with you when you go sailing.

I've not heard of anyone having trouble with fuel being hit. Certainly boats have burned, but usually it isn't that bad.