Watts up???

So tell me will a comp tip mast help prevent a lightning strike and or electrocution or are they just for electric lines?? No lines near my lake that I have seen yet but lightning is a different story... And gee whiz, the wind blows great right before a thunder storm eh?? Are we Hobie junkies supposed to head for the docks at the first sign of a thunder cloud? Wow, that is like daily in NC in the summer... I hear that lightning strikes from static charges emitted from the ground? Does a Hobie emit static from Mast??? Or is that last thought an urban legend. Thanks for your thoughts you bunch of salty ole veterans... AARRGGHH!! You obviously know what you are doing by the numbers of your posts and the years you have been sailing. Thanks for helping out the Gilligan types like me and the rest of the newbies....!!!
Thankyakindly,
john

John,

The CompTip is intended for high power lines. Lightning protection (from a direct hit) likely would be reduced. They talk about something called the "Cone of protection" That is an inverted cone shape area around a tall object. As the conductive section on a CompTip mast is actually lower... the cone is smaller.

There have been many discussions on the topic here and over at Catsailor.com forums.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

When I got the notice from Hobie that they would retrofit my mast with a comptip, it included a note that it would reduce the cone of protection as Matt Miller mentioned. In research that I did on lightning I found that if the mast is grounded into the water, it would increase the possibility of a strike but reduce or eliminate the damage. If not grounded, there is a little less chance of a strike but damage could be bad. A boat at a marina in Kerr Lake was struck and sunk by a lot of holes all around the hull at the water line. The size of the grounding plate has to be larger in fresh water than salt water.

In one article the author said that the only thing more dangerous than being on the water on a boat with a mast sticking up is being there on a boat without a mast. That is due to the cone of protection. I remember someone being killed by lightning on Lake Norman on a pontoon boat.

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Howard

If the lightning has already travelled 5000 ft from the clouds to the ground (or vice versa), another 6 ft is not going to make much difference.

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

YES

In fact, you should head in and derig as soon as you hear thunder in the distance. Don't think you can out run it either.....there's typically little wind until the violent downdraft of the afternoon thunderstorm hits....then it's too late. These winds aren't fun....they break stuff and hurt people. And no comp tip is going to protect you from a lightning strike.

I rarely sail in July/August on our local rez. It's too damn hot, there's usually no wind, and the water looks like a washing machine from power boat wakes. I've got gear to sail a lot of winter days...spring is good, fall is best!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, mississippi

John,

Are you in NC and if so where do you sail?

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

I have only been sailing on Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County as that is where I live and boat is parked there beside dock. A very protected and narrow and small lake so less than ideal for a Hobie.
Our first time stepping the mast without instructions was quite a show so I couldn't imagine doing that reguarly. I also have trailer issues at the moment but will have that worked out in next few months. After helping a friend rig his Hobie in Fla. a month ago, I have learned alot so I may venture out of my protected "nest" this year for better lakes to sail. I would probably hit Lake Norman as I used to powerboat there. I would most like to take it to the beach this year for a week of sailing.
Thanks to all who have replied to my questions. I have also just learned to use the search function above and found a LOT of info. on the lightning strike question.
If you havent already done so, search for embarrasing moments as I had alot of laughs and alot of warnings of how quickly things can go wrong on a Hobie. The most interesting part was learning that if a storm is approaching or just hit with the nasty winds and waves it is not just like you can pull up to the dock or shore and kindly step off the boat! It sounds like the best thing to do is pitchpole the boat and get off it near shore. Guess I need a small boat anchor to hold the boat steady while flipped over until the storm blows by. Cause this little chicken is going to run for shelter!! I don't like lightning one little bit. Thanks again for all your help and advice mates!
John

John,

I kept my Cape Cod catboat on Kerr Lake for 5 years and don't understand why you call it a small, narrow lake. It is 50% bigger than Lake Norman and quite wide open near the dam and south of it. I used to bring my Hobie there occasionally and think it is the best lake around. Lake Norman is extremely dangerous with all the boat traffic. Jordan is a good lake for Hobies but it is small. It is west of Raleigh. I have been caught in thunderstorms on both Kerr and Lake Norman in both boats. In the catboat, I dropped the sail, went into a cove and anchored. I watched the lightning from the cabin, hoping it wouldn't find my mast. On lake Norman, as the storm approached I sailed to shore, dropped the sail and got under someone's walkway until the storm went over. I keep an eye on the weather and at the first sound of thunder, head in.

I have owned and sailed my H-16 for 23 years and hope to keep going for a few more. If you want to try Jordan in the spring, let me know and I could meet you there. My daughter and her family are in Raleigh and my grandchildren enjoy sailing there with me. The best launch area is Vista Point on the west side of the lake.

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Howard

I sail and live on Lake Norman It is a great place to sail especially near the south end near the dam to mm 6 Good launch at Beattys Ford Access
I have never heard about a hobie crew hurt by lightning
The guy who bought my Hobie 16 did drag the mast into the main power cables at Edisto Island Boat was totaled lucky that no one got hurt
Cut power to the island on Sat night
Anyway I have never seen a hobie hit by lightning. The comp tips are sort of delicate. My kid destroyed one this year on a Hobie 16 at Oak Island when he turned over
I think the comp tips were a lawsuit thing with Hobie
Gary
Hobie 21 SE Stars and Strips USA 415 and a Hobie 14 Turbo
Still sailing since 1967 hobie since 1971
PS I do keep a Marine VHF hand held waterproof radio with weather channel on board this really helps when weather gets bad or if needed it is good to call for help

Gary,

I used to sail in that part of the lake. I always launched at Ramsey Creek. I kept a powerboat on the lake years ago up at a marina near the 150 bridge (Midway Marina, I believe). The boat traffic has gotten so heavy on the lake, I switched to Kerr Lake also known as Buggs Island. It is controlled by the Corps of Engrs. and doesn't have much traffic at all. It is just too far to drive now. It takes 2 hrs. from W-S. I don't know of any fatalities from lightning on Lake Norman but I believe someone was killed there on a pontoon boat a few years ago by lightning.

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Howard

Come back to LKN during the week days Lake Norman still is a great place to sail I go out even during the weekends if the wind is blowing most of the motor boats go in
I also have a Hydro Sport 24 CC when i want to motor around
Try LKN on a mon -thurs it will be great
I met my wife at Ramsey Creek it is a special place
Try the public ramp at Beattys Ford Park here in Lincoln County it is really nice big water right off ramp off NC 16 in Denver NC
Gary
PS try Oak Island NC on the south end great Hobie place
Gary
PSS before we moved to the lake we were members at the Lake Norman Sail Club in Denver It was GREAT The hobies are kept on a trailer with the mast up beautiful place to keep a Hobie

Gary,

I like sailing Lake Norman and will try it during the week this spring. I tried to get a boat slip there for my Cape Cod catboat but couldn't find anything so I ended up on High Rock Lake. It is much smaller and has a lot of wind shifts from the coves. The lake runs SE to NW so with the typical SW wind, it comes out of the coves and branches and swirls around.

How much does the LKN sailing club charge for dry storage of a Hobie? I like the idea of not having to drag the boat the 60 miles to the lake.

Being retired has its advantages. I can go anytime. I remember sitting at work looking out at the great breezes during the week only to find nothing on the weekend. I sail Jordan Lake but it is more than 1 1/2 hr drive from Winston. It, too, is small but it is a good lake for Hobies.

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Howard

I don't think the Kerr Lake and the Kerr Scott Reservoir are the same lake as the one I am on is much smaller than Lake Norman. True, the boat traffic is MUCH safer. The area at the earthen dam is wider than the rest but still not even a quarter of a mile across. It is quite a rush to get the boat turned, sails set and in under a minute need to tack before hitting the opposite bank. Guess it is good practice though. The wind really swirls around the coves and seems to change direction quickly but guess this too will just make me a better sailor.
I too used to have a power boat at Midway Marina some years ago. The boat traffic ran me off from Norman though.
I am glad to hear that no one seems to know of anyone that has had an encounter with lightning on a Hobie. I will blindly assume it is due to the mast not being grounded. Never the less I will certainly head for shelter as it approaches.
The wind sure has been better lately... I guess I need to get a drysuit as the water is so cold it actually hurts any body part of mine that gets in it for more than 10 seconds!! My boat is out and I am refitting it presently but will look forward to sailing one of the lakes with anyone interested come a little warmer weather!!
John

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MAN... DO I LOVE THIS HOBIE CAT!!!

John,

I am sorry I misread your post. Kerr Scott reservoir is certainly different than Kerr Lake. Lake Norman is 34,000 acres, High Rock Lake is the second largest in NC and is 15,000 acres. Kerr Lake is 50,000 acres and is the largest lake in VA. It extends a few miles into NC. I don't know how big Kerr Scott is but it has to be smaller than High Rock.

I have a wet suit but I don't like to get on a lake alone especially in cold weather. It is always better to have someone around. I solo my H-16 most of the time though my grandchildren like to go out with me when they can. When the weather breaks I will try Lake Norman again but it will be during the week. I would appreciate a crew if you want to come down there some time. I have an '85 boat that I bought new so I have been sailing the Hobie for 23 years. I have been sailing the catboat since '72.

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Howard

Sounds fun! Once it warms up I may be up for some crew work. I too, want to become talented enough to single hand the 16 regularly as I don't think my wife is going to like this boat long... We have only flipped backwards once and it was too easy. A couple of regular flips and a pitchpole or two and I am sure she will be through! HA!! No offense intended, but I like living on the edge and speeding along with the wires huming is quite a rush to me. Sailing and righting that 16 by myself will indeed be thrilling. I only weigh 175 but have a righting bag and feel sure I can do it solo. Will find out as soon as weather permits. The lake water is 44 degrees at Kerr Scott!!! OUCH!! Not going there!
See ya soon!
John

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MAN... DO I LOVE THIS HOBIE CAT!!!