lightning
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11155
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 9:22pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: lightning
Posted By: hobbiteater
Subject: lightning
Date Posted: 20 Oct 13 at 8:50pm
| What happens when a dinghy gets hit by lightning? |
Replies:
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 20 Oct 13 at 9:09pm
|
Whilst I'm not entirely sure, I'm hovering my hand over the QI-style klaxon for anyone that makes claims as to the electrical conductivity of carbon fibre. ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: Quagers
Date Posted: 20 Oct 13 at 9:31pm
| As was said in Cowes today as a storm rolled through, anything will conduct if you put enough power through it. |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 20 Oct 13 at 9:46pm
| If you're in the dinghy I believe you may well get away with it. I understand the really bad scenario is to be in the water when there's a strike nearby, because you conduct electricity better than the water. So whatever else you do, don't jump in the water for fear of the boat being struck. |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 21 Oct 13 at 12:01am
|
The same as what happens when a windsurfer gets hit by lightning, sparks fly all over you like Luke Skywalker being zapped by the evil emperor, your glasses fly off into the water in a shower of sparks and you get blown into the water.
But wearing a wetsuit with rubber boots you are protected by the Faradays cage effect, it goes round you rather than through you. You still get stunned though. And let nobody tell you lightning doesn't strike twice.. I've been zapped twice, once up at Grafham in 1980 ish and again a couple of years back sailing at Hythe.  ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 21 Oct 13 at 6:53am
Just because it will "conduct" doesn't mean that it won't rapidly heat, burn and blow apart. Problem is that whilst carbon fibres may be conductive, the resin fully coating them and binding them together isn't. I've seen what happens to panels made of basic carbon/epoxy that are hit by simulated lightning. It isn't pretty. ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 21 Oct 13 at 7:28am
And I thought lightning took the shortest path to earth....
 |
Posted By: hobbiteater
Date Posted: 21 Oct 13 at 8:30am
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iGRF Rubber = insulator so cant act as a Faraday cage = A Faraday cage is an enclosure formed by conducting material or by a mesh of such material
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 21 Oct 13 at 8:34am
It travels through the surface water on your suit, just pray you're wet at the time and or it's raining. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 21 Oct 13 at 9:54am
This may explain certain mystery theories... Sorry. just couldn't resist that comment. ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 23 Oct 13 at 6:16pm
OK, own up what have you done to upset him! |
Posted By: blueboy
Date Posted: 23 Oct 13 at 7:11pm
|
I was sailing at Bala once. A huge storm is rumbling up the lake towards us. Surely the race officer is going to cancel? Apparently not. Well, we go for discretion anyway and head ashore, unsure if we are being prudent or wusses. A dinghy was hit and a hole a couple of inches in diameter was blown out of their transom. No other damage to crew or kit. Not a great decision to start the race, IMO. I wonder if they mentioned that incident when they sold the dinghy on. |