This page last updated 28th January 2011
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STRUCK BY LIGHTNING "WHY KNOT"
Light Fitting Blown Close-up of exit Compass cooked Depth Sounder Exit point at leg of Exit point Hull damaged at
out point blown out of stand exit point
bulkhead
Some not so good news which other owners may gain something from is that Why Knot was struck by lightening on the evening of Wednesday 29 December at Bayshore Marina at the Vaaldam. At the time she was slipped for anti-fouling. The lightening struck the mast, ran down the shrouds and stays and found its way into the wiring. It left the boat by blasting a hole through the hull at the chart table and earthed through one of the legs of the stand the boat was perched on. The damage currently identified are:
· Every bit of wiring is cooked and needs to be replaced, all electronics are destroyed including the distribution board, depth sounder which was blown completely out
of of the bulkhead, 2-way radio, music centre etc.
· Sections of the solar panel is blown-out and missing, the compass is destroyed, all internal and external light fittings were blown completely out of their fittings
· Hull damage at exit point with gel coat bits and pieces found about 30 meters away, log wheel in through-hull fitting just in front of the keel is partially melted and heat-
welded on to axle. Still searching and any suggestions on where to look for hidden damage will be welcome, some of the damage is shown in the attached photos.
Other yachts in close proximity with much taller mast were not struck and one can ask why ……..perhaps the simple answer is “why knot”.
What lesson does one learn from this? Must one always take the mast down when slipping in a lightening-prone area like the
Vaaldam or perhaps earthing one of the stays whilst she is on the hard …. will it help?
Best regards and here’s wishing all owners a flashing 2011 ….. not of the lightening type though!
Paul van der Walt
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Hi All,
A simple method to reduce damage in the event of a lightning strike is to fit a connector plug to electrics behind switch panel and to literally disconnect this each time you leave your boat. Should you still receive a lightning strike, at least you will not lose all your instruments etc.
Kind Regards
Kathy Manten
Manten Marina
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