Sailing La Vagabonde · video

What this video covers

The electrical system of a new Rapido catamaran is designed as a 48-volt ecosystem, utilizing 46 lithium-ion battery cells to power propulsion, refrigeration, and navigation equipment.6:45 The setup includes redundant starter batteries for the Yanmar engine, a main switchboard for standby circuits, and a dedicated nav station panel.7:38 Deck hardware, including Harken winches and an anchor windlass, operates on the 48-volt bus.8:39 The boat features a carbon rotating mast with a sensor to offset radar and wind data, plus forward-facing sonar for shallow-water navigation.10:06

The crew also discusses the risks of lightning strikes with a sailor who experienced two direct hits.11:36 Lightning damage typically destroys navigation electronics and can cause physical damage to through-hulls or grounding points.13:34 No proven deterrent exists for lightning, though surge protectors may offer limited mitigation.14:19 In the event of a strike, the primary priority is checking for hull integrity and water ingress.13:16 The takeaway is that lightning protection remains largely speculative, and sailors should prioritize isolating themselves from electrical systems during storms.

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