"Is lightening more attracted to an alloy boat versus a fiberglass boat?" I respectfully call this the Miami Boat Show question since the one time we did the Miami Show I spent about 50% of my time answering just this question! First of all let me premise my answer by saying that you are never, ever safe in a lightning storm. You should do everything in your power to avoid being in a lightning storm - including not going out if storms are predicted and running in when the sky turns that ominous dark suggesting a storm is on its way. Secondly, I know a lot about lightning - I was, as a young man, a meteorologist in the Marine Corps. I know the science behind lightning as well as the danger of it. Beyond my own knowledge I have checked with various experts on the subject including the National Weather Service and a professional yacht lightning consultant as the answer to this question is very important to be correct. Finally, the answer is that you are safer in an alloy boat than in a glass boat. Why? Assuming that you are talking apples to apples and that both boats are the same height above sea level there is nothing about aluminum that is more "Attractive" than glass. Air is a great insulator and thus both glass and alloy provide the same shortcut that the lightning is seeking to ground. Once lightning has found your boat the metal boat provides a very good conductor for the lightning's current to go to ground whereas the fiberglass boat does not. The strike on a glass boat may well run through the boats electrical system which, unfortunately, runs back towards the operator (you!) Additionally, if you are in one of our boats with either a Hardtop, T-top or Walkaround cabin you are even safer. Lightning consultants encourage you to create a halo of metal or wires around the people on a boat as when the strike hits the current will follow the metal halo away from the operator and crew (You!) and towards the boats perimeter where it will continue along the hull and to ground. All of our superstructures are welded to the boat and thus provide excellent conductivity to ground. Finally, let me reiterate - you are NOT safe on a metal boat in a lightning storm nor are you safe in a glass boat in a lightning storm. Relatively speaking, though, you are safer in a metal hull than a glass one. Anthony, I hope that I have answered your question. Please email again, should you have further questions or need clarification. |
Black Lab Marine, Inc. 72 Lafayette Street Yarmouth, Maine, USA 04096 Email: info@blacklabmarine.com Phone: 207-400-7404 |