Replacing electronics due to Lightning Strike

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Mon, 09/15/2014 - 08:04
#1
kgliha
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Posts: 5
Replacing electronics due to Lightning Strike

Hi Folks,

My recent adventure is noted here: https://www.catalina36.org/community/adventures/lightning-exciting

I've got approval to go ahead with an insurance claim replacement on my boat post-lightning strike, and I'm thinking of the following:

Cockpit:
Raymarine C75 MFD w Gold Charts
Raymarine i50/i60 Tridata
​Raymarine i70 MFD
Raymarine p70 Autopilot Control Head
Cabin:
Raymarine A67
Ray49 VHF
Other:
Raymarine EV-100 Wheelpilot
Raymarine 418D Radar
Raymarine AIS650
Raymarine AIS100 Spliter

Money is a factor (as always), so the current choices fit within the budget. Thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Thanks, Karlo

 

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Mon, 09/15/2014 - 09:33
MitchMan406's picture
MitchMan406
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Joined: 12/31/11
Posts: 71

Wow.

Just read your story in the Community section. Wow.
Thakn God you all were not hurt.

Good advice. Thanks for the lessons learned.

Good luck with your retrofit!

—

Mitch

1986 Catalina 36 MKI 
S/V "Blessing"
Kema, TX
Hull: #584
M25 w/ Oberdorfer Conversion
 

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Mon, 09/15/2014 - 11:48
SailorJackson's picture
SailorJackson
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Joined: 2/9/11
Posts: 152

Three years back I did a complete system will all Raymarine.  I used a C120W for a big plotter and also included Sirius weather, the Raymarine MOB system, and a few other toys.  My results pretty frustrating.

  • Radar never worked reliably for the first 2 years.  After several repair cycles and different technicians I found that if finally worked well after I installed a longer cable so that the Ethernet connection was NOT in the bilge.  No amount of sealing or silicon grease worked.  Once I changed to a longer radar cable everything was fine, but it cost me $1200 to pull the mast and replace that cable.
  • My AIS650 never worked reliably with the splitter.  They recommend that a independent antenna is best.  I found an independent antenna was essential.  If you want to use a splitter you can have mine, but I don't recommend it.  I'm never going back to a shared antenna between AIS and VHF.
  • Raymarine is kinda/sorta OK for chartplotter and autopilot, but they are NOT known for VHF.  Get an ICON or Standard Horizon and you'll get a better radio for less money.
  • B&G has a far superior system for sailing navigation.  Their digital radar is superior but does not work much beyond 5 or 10 miles, but then who cares what's that far out.  I'd look closely at B&G before giving money to Raymarine.
  • Wheel pilot will only work on fair days and calm seas.  The Raymarine below deck autopilot works downwind and in following seas, wihich is a pretty difficult situation to manage, particularly with a quartering wave.
  • The A67 in the cabin is a great idea.  I put a 70 series repeater in the cabin which can display lots of data (no charts) and we use it all the time.  I don't know if a full MFD in the cabin is essential, but it's really nice to have things like speed, wind, depth, and basic stuff without going outside.
  • I paid through the nose for "professional" installation.  Then I spent several weeks fixing what the professional did wrong.
—

Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,

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Mon, 09/15/2014 - 12:17
(Reply to #3)
newguy's picture
newguy
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Joined: 8/1/11
Posts: 408

We suffered a strike back about 10 years ago in a previous boat at a marina where we had the tallest rig in the marina.  In addition to all electronics down, I also ended up replacing the alternator, voltage regulator, charger.  Over the next few weeks, discovered a couple of latent finds: zapped GFI outlets, holes in the water heater element, and various navigation light bulbs and sockets bad.  We now have handheld GPS and VHFs that go into the oven when the oven is not in use.

After all that, I installed a lightning rod at the top of the mast, stubby antenna below the rod, the ability to isolate all mast wiring from the boat in short order, and a lightning plate below the water line grounded to the mast.  Projects that are still pending on Whimsea.

We had a cooler with drink boxes for the kids sitting next to the mast and the ice in the cooler instantaneously became warm water.  Several of the juice boxes (especially foil pack ones) had pin holes in them and several simply exploded.  Lesson learned: don't be near the mast during an electrical storm because of side flashes to the water line and/or stays.

—

Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor

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Tue, 09/16/2014 - 10:09
(Reply to #4)
kgliha
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Joined: 10/9/13
Posts: 5

Raymarine: Thanks for your feedback; I'll review the experience with our installer and make decisions/changes accordingly.
B&G: It was never an option here (we looked into it) as they don't have a local presence for either sales or support. 

Karlo

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Tue, 09/16/2014 - 05:50
pierview
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Joined: 9/27/09
Posts: 606

We had a boat in our marina  hit by lightening while on the hard. When he launched in the spring, he found the lightening had blown out a thru-hull fitting. If this should happen to anyone be sure to check all   your thru-hulls as well as the electronics.

—

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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Tue, 09/16/2014 - 10:11
(Reply to #6)
kgliha
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Joined: 10/9/13
Posts: 5

Thanks, Chuck. The insurance claim remains open for 2 years in case of ancilliary impacts that were not diagnosed as part of the initial claim. I'm interested in the engine myself, but the thru-hulls are another potential failure point.

Karlo

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