Hobie Cat Forums

those NASTY looking thunder clouds coming my way would scare me alot more than the thought of flipping ...

... whats the proper course of action if you are caught without possibly making landfall and see a squall like that with lightening coming your way ?

Remove the mast and lash it to an Aka ?

Im not much keen on the idea of riding 3 feet away from a 18' lightening rod when you know its the tallest thing for mile(s) ... but removing it makes your Noggin the tallest thing

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Alan W.
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #1
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #2 Golden Papaya AI LadyJane
'06? Hobie Outback SUV

Slaughter,

I watched the video. Noticed that the sail was furled. Heavy seas with the sail out would cause problems. Many of small boat sailors have failed recovery by not releasing the main sheet.

Shallow water can also be a problem. Yearsago I broke a Hobie Cat 16 mast by flipping in the surf. Just could not resist riding the waves in and out. Getting caught broadside with the waves breaking is a sinking feeling.

Lightning??? Trying to stand up to lower a mast in heavy seas is not smart. I would rather keep a very small sail area up and ride the waves with the bow in. Taking down the mast makes your head the highes point. The mast creates a umbrella of protection. The graphite is a conductor. I just hope the strike travels through the mast base bolts into the water. It will melt the bottom...

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Paul
DogsLife
2011 Adventure Island (Little Dog)
2010 Tandem Island (Big Dog: "We keep a leg up on the competition")
2001 Wilderness Systems Woodsman Kayak 14.5 (Blue Dog)

http://dogslifeadventures.blogspot.com/

The boat bottom ... or "our" bottom sitting in the nice puddle of conductor ?

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Alan W.
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #1
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #2 Golden Papaya AI LadyJane
'06? Hobie Outback SUV