Lightening Strike setback

[Squanderbucks]

I was just out for a final run to work out the prop pitch changes for Squander Bucks after a major project involving engine repowering, a lot of bottom work including sandblasting back to gelcoat and reprepping and painting the bottom. All new strainers, thru hulls etc and major re-wiring job to go with the new engines.
On my final run to check the Tachometer for top RPM with the de-pitching of 2 inches I just did I was hit by a lightening strike.
All electronic and electrical equipment immediate went blank and would not turn back on except for one Sitex CV-106 depthfinder. The "new to me" diesels kept running until I got home and then one would not restart due to a blown fuse in the start/run circuit.
But everything from trim tabs, stereo, freezer both alternators, both new Garmin GPSMaps, radar, all four tachometers, Raymarine autopilot, generator voltage regulator and more were trashed.

The list of electrical things still working is shorter than those fried almost.

Boat is bonded and has a ground plate but no lightening "rod" or brush on the arch.

And I thought I was "through" with this project - just a little cosmetic work on the back deck. Oh boy.

[sailormed]

My sincere condoleances. Advise: get drunk

[Paul L]

Painful, hope you have some good insurance coverage. Where the new engines computer controlled?

[category4jay]

Ouch!!

[SV Bacchus]

We on Bacchus feel for you as we were struck last year in the Bahamas. We limped back to the states with a radio and paper charts plus some buddy boats at different stages.

It was a 7 month process to get estimates, have repairs made, testing boat, further repairs as they didn't get it all the first time and finally to our accepting the boat as finished.

Ugh, I hate to even think about it.

[MV Wanderlust]

Oh man. That seriously sucks. Good luck sorting it out.

[JPA Cate]

Yes, Bacchus,

Thanks for reminding me. Do not settle with the insurance until you know you've found everything. Not sure about power yachts, but with sailboats, it is common for some things to work okay for a month or two after the strike and then fail. Everything that has electricity as part of its functioning is subject to possible failure. Sometimes through hull fittings are compromised. You'll be going over the boat with the fine toothed comb, for sure. Lucky you know it so well.

The good news is that you'll be able to get all new electronics! What a headache! Good luck with it.

Ann

[maxingout]

Sorry to hear the bad lightning strike.

We just finished a total electronics upgrade plus refit of Exit Only.

I never worried about lightning until I put $10k in new electronics on board.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Yes, Bacchus,

Thanks for reminding me. Do not settle with the insurance until you know you've found everything

Ann

That is correct Ann. Gremlins can come out months later. In our case we finally closed the claim then had an issue with the batteries, which were not initially replaced as they 'load tested' OK.

In real world experience they started going down fast. Possibly because the batteries did not get proper maintenance for the 7 months we were off the boat having the repairs made.

I appealed to the insurance company, they asked for a 24 hour test on each individual battery. They did not like the results, reopened the claim for us and replaced all 4 AGMs!

I could not be happier with our insurance company and feel our experience, from what I've read and heard, is more the exception and not the rule.

[NSboatman]

Who is your insurance company?

[SV Bacchus]

YachtInsure, United Kingdom.
Policy purchased through local agent in Ft. Lauderdale