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Lightning strikes on sailboats involve 20,000 to 50,000 amps of current seeking the fastest path to the water.1:07 When a mast lacks a low-resistance grounding path, the electrical discharge often creates side flashes, arcing through wiring harnesses, engine blocks, fuel tanks, or the hull itself.2:37 These side flashes can blow holes in fiberglass, destroy electronic networks, or cause mechanical failures like fused throttle cables and shattered rudder posts.3:59

Effective lightning protection requires creating a direct, low-resistance highway for electricity from the mast base to the water, typically using heavy copper conductors connected to the keel or dedicated grounding plates.5:29 Sharp bends in these conductors increase resistance and the likelihood of arcing.6:17 While bonding systems for corrosion control often use wires too thin to handle lightning, dedicated lightning grounding systems utilize heavy-gauge materials to maintain electrical potential across metal components.7:00 Disconnecting antenna cables and shore power during storms helps mitigate induced voltage damage, while avoiding contact with rigging or lifelines prevents personal injury during a strike.7:29

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