Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

lil buggy

lil buggy

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
766
I boat in the rivers around pittsburgh and with the beatiful weather we are having this holiday weekend,, coupled with the raftup last night in the lightning storm I got to thinking,,,

Is your boat more likely to get struck by lightning in the slip connected to shore power or on the open water?
keep in mind i'm not talking about on a large lake, just in the rivervalleys where i call home.

what do you guys think?
 
A

Another retired guy

Ensign
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
940
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

I would say more dangerous on the open water as you are the tallest object around. But I don't think I'd want to be in it anywhere in a storm! We had a storm here recently that brought down several trees one of which missed a neighbours boat by only a few feet :eek:
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

The Odds are about the same as your car being struck by lightning on the freeway.

Consider how many news reports you have heard of boats being struck by lightning in a slip connected to shore power compared to the number struck on open water. :rolleyes:

It is strictly a Crap Shoot.
Actually your Odds of winning at craps are way much better.

Boats do get hit by meteorites on clear sunny days also! :D
 
lil buggy

lil buggy

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
766
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

^^^thanks for the link:D
 
jigngrub

jigngrub

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
8,155
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

Being on a small boat in foul weather isn't fun and can be very dangerous and lightening isn't the only risk.

Do it once and you probably won't do it again.
 
rivermouse

rivermouse

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
661
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

I got caught in a serious storm last summer while trying to make it back to the landing. One half inch hail. 60 mph winds with large hard rain blowing horizontal and plenty of lightening strikes near by. I made it to an island and got out of my small tinny praying that the next thing I saw wouldn't be a tornado. We have them somewhat often in the area I was in. I say if it even hints of lightening get out of the boat.
 
JEBar

JEBar

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
462
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

rivermouse said:
I say if it even hints of lightening get out of the boat.
Click to expand...


AMEN .... have been out on a large lake when an unexpected storm rolled in and have absolutely no desire to ever experience that again .... I tend to hold to the old lightening usually hits the tallest object theory an out on that pond our boat was that tallest point

Jim
 
Thalasso

Thalasso

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
2,879
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

Buggy. Put the antenna down and get under a bridge. If lightning hits it will get the bridge first.Where did you go the other night.I went down river and you were nowhere to be found. Saw a boat like yours that had the anchor stuck. He was from the yacht club. Had to cut the line.
 
lil buggy

lil buggy

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
766
Re: Boating in thunderstorms,,, whats the risk?

Thalasso, didnt see you go by, we stayed right by the mile marker 26.3? far side of the river across from bare,,xxx, beach. we ended up nosing in the hidden sandy beach. tonight id rather kite(sidesaddle) anchor close to shore, than beaching again,,lol. got the grub for the grill all ready to go, heading out within the hour. come on out and join us.

dont have a marine radio yet:facepalm:, and the campertop stays up:D,,,,:eek:

thanks for the link Four Winns 214,,, thats scarry,,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top