[Alberg30] Scientific Lightning Pervention

[Robert Kirk]

Roger L. Kingsland wrote:
>[...]
>Several years ago I bought bought this funny thing for the boat because it 
>clained to reduce the chance of lightning strikes and, lacking that, 
>protect the boat if lightning does strike.  Interesting proposition, if it 
>doesn't work the way we would like it to, at least it will help.
>
>It looks a little like a porcupine head on a stick at the top of the mast 
>but is a great conversation starter. [...]

I have another lightning gadget that came with Isobar, that's supposed to 
mitigate a lightning strike.

It's a six foot length of index finger thick, twisted wire cable with a 
clamp at one end. As J Bergquist pointed out, the Alberg's rig is insulated 
from the sea, so when you see a thunderstorm coming you are supposed to 
clamp this cable to the bottom of a shroud and let the end trail in the 
water, thus creating a temporary path to ground for the rig. If lightning 
does hit, the current is supposed to pass harmlessly from the rig into the 
water.

I don't know how effective this grounding system is. Has anyone had any 
experience or hearsay?

As I say, I haven't used it, but like Roger's porcupine, it keeps the 
lightning at bay (so far) by just resting in the bottom of the lazarette.

Bob Kirk
Isobar #181




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