Re: New to group, and Static Fireworks on P19

GSTahoe@aol.com
Wed, 2 Jun 1999 12:29:49 EDT


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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In a message dated 6/1/99 3:45:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
thomasw@vanion.com writes:

<< Finally I hooked jumper cables to the forestaycable and to
a metal stake into the mud of the beach, that drained it and allowed it to
drain but the whole thing was a pheonomenon to me. Has anyone else
experienced static like this on their potters? >>

Thomas,

I have also encountered static as you have. I believe it is a phenomenon of
dry mountain air. When I have been caught out on the lake during a summer
thunder squall, I have had very strong electrical buildup everywhere. One
time it got so bad that I could not start my engine to get to shore. Every
time I would reach for the cord to start it, sparks would jump to my hand.
It was spooky. It has been explained to me that this is caused by ionization
from the strong dry wind in the rigging. The static is not as much a danger
as the fact that the charged boat can attract lightning.

Your solution sounds pretty good. Another permanent solution, if you care to
do all the work, would be to ground all metal parts on the boat. This means
running copper wire from anything metal: rails, rigging, fittings, etc., and
run that grounded line to the centerboard to channel the charge to the water.
I used to have a catalog from a company that made these copper brush
do-hickeys that attached to the top of your mast and where supposed to
disperse that electrical buildup. The last time I tried to reach them they
had appeared to have gone out of business. I'm sure if you look around you
could find others who make similar devices. I never bought one because of
the cost and the work. They where over $100 and required the same type of
wiring I mentioned above. My other concern was when trailering that the
device on the mast would be damaged.

One last suggestion: Rename your boat "American Express." Then you can always
charge it!

Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
No. Lake Tahoe, NV