I removed the cabin sole to refinish the wood and discovered what appears to be a grounding wire that ran to the collar at the base of the mast but the other end was cut and was not connected to anything. I recall there being some difference of opinion on the wisdom of grounding the mast. I’m wondering how many of you have inspected and maintained a ground for the mast. If so, where is the ground led to? A keel bolt? The collar of the bilge drain plug? Seems to me the power of a lightning strike would blow a hole in the boat wherever the ground is led too. I’d be interested in hearing from anyone knowledgeable on the subject.
Michael Passero
Born To Run, NS33, #42
New London, CT
I’m reviving this old post - it looks like it had no replies.
I just found a heavily insulated “wire” (more like insulated shielding) running from the mast base plate to the vicinity of the first keel bolt - it looks like it was originally held there by a hose clamp. The AI answer is to ground the mast but avoid sharp bends and horizontal runs - this wire is a horizontal run with a sharp bend…
Michael,
Not and expert. I asked the same question about 3 years ago. Several folks with more knowledge on the subject patiently explained the various conventions that are observed, but pointed out there are multiple “correct” answers. A boat kept in a marina 90% of the time might use a strategy that depends on using surrounding boats as protection. Offshore cruisers might want to minimize damage to the hull by trying to redirect the energy to points less critical to the keeping the boat afloat. ( ground in a forward watertight compartment).
The answer I choose was “follow the convention prescribed by the boats designer”. Mostly because it seemed to be the one marine insurance professionals suggested.
For Soave ( NS33) this meant replacing the heavy lightning ground wire originating at a lag bolt securing the mast base to the hull and ending at the forward most keel bolt. Trying to keep the run free of any points of increased resistance or sharp turns.
